Following last week’s fun and games with the weather – I was pleased to be able to bung on my London Shoes and get back out on the road in search of more unusual aspects of the ‘smokes’ history.
This week’s adventure took me across to west London to explore a specific district of London that is quite unique in its way, and an area that most certainly has its own little vibe going on – the place in question being “Holland Park” London W11.
The unique thing about Holland Park is that it is not only the name of a ‘place’ – it is also a ‘public park’ and a ‘street’ –all of which is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.
Geographically, it is a district that is situated between the posh and wealthy Kensington to its south – and the more edgy and bohemian Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove to its north – and it is an area that certainly has its own little buzz going on.
Architecturally, Holland Park is well known for its massive magnificent Victorian 4 storey, 5/6/7 bedroomed houses (more like mansions to me) – and loads of different styles and designs of these types of houses are scattered throughout the area.
Residentially, it is a hot-spot for celebrities – the big names from the film, TV and arts worlds, plus wealthy businessmen and many foreign embassies, all own houses there – and so it is no surprise that Holland Park is now one of the most expensive residential districts in London or anywhere in the world, with some large houses listed for sale at well over £10m!!!.
The actual area Holland Park derives its name from ‘Holland House’ which was a large mansion built in 1605, and once owned by Lord Holland. Sadly it was bombed during the WW2 blitz, and now only some ruins of the ground floor still remain.
Many of the original roads/streets still remain and each one is recognisable from the architectural style of its houses.
For example ‘Royal Crescent’ was created in 1839 and is clearly inspired by its well-known namesake in the city of Bath. Today, the crescent is Grade II listed.
Other well-known roads/streets such as Campden Hill Square, Holland Park Road/Mews/Gardens, Philmore Street, Aubery Crescent/Road/Street, Abbotsbury Road & Addison Road etc. – were once mini estates within the main Holland House estate.
Holland Park itself (as a park) in my opinion is a little oasis of tranquility stuck in the middle of a very busy urban area, and is spread across 54 acres of what used to be the grounds of Cope Castle within the Holland House estate.
Today, the park has a café ,the Belvedere Restaurant, a giant chess set structure, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, some unusual but interesting sculptures and two beautiful Japanese gardens – the Kyoto Garden (built in 1991) and Fukushima Memorial Garden (built in 2012), a youth hostel, a children’s playground – along with wildlife such as squirrels and peacocks.
It is the site of many open-air theatre and live musical events throughout the summer months.
Other interesting facts about Holland Park:-
* The deepest point on the ‘Central Line’ tube, is between Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park stations.
* Apparently the first ever dahlias grown in England were planted in the gardens of Holland House by Lady Holland in the early 19th century.
* Holland Park Avenue is one of the city’s oldest roads and was once a notorious haunt of highwaymen.
* Lansdown House – in Lansdown Road, was once a prolific recording studio, where loads of artists ranging from Shirley Bassey, John Lennon, Cliff Richard – right through the musical spectrum to the Sex Pistols – recorded their stuff.
*Posh & Becks have their London home in Holland Park (the road)
* Directly across the street from the Beckham’s lives Simon Cowell
*Elton John has a very small and understated London home, just to the north of Holland Park Avenue
*The author Agatha Christie, once lived in Sheffield Street, just to the east of the Park.
*James Joyce the author – lived in Campden Grove, just east of the Park
*Jimmy Page – the founder and guitarist of the legendary Led Zepplin band – lives in Melbury Road
*Next door to Jimmy Page’s place, lives Robbie Williams – although there is currently a bit of needle between Jimmy Page and Robbie, because of all the renovation work Robbie Williams is having done – and apparently Jimmy is not too happy about his ‘noisy neighbour’.
So – following a really enjoyable few hours trekking all around the Holland Park district, taking in all the interesting unique architecture and specific landmarks – I took myself off to “The Castle” pub on the busy Holland Park Avenue, for the customary ‘cheeky’ beer and a packet of cheese & onion crisps.
The Castle has been a pub since 1827 – and still has its original Victorian tiled frontage, whilst its interior blends period features like traditional wood panelling, etched glass and antique chandeliers.
All in all, Holland Park and its unique style and vibe, is an enjoyable place to while away a few hours. Hope you enjoy the accompanying photos.
Holland Park tube station on the Central Line – Interesting fact for tube geeks, is that the deepest point on the ‘Central Line’ tube, is between Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park stations
Just one of the many entrances to Holland Park (the park)
Royal Crescent – Holland Park – architecturally influenced by the more well known Royal Crescent in the city of Bath
Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Me – in Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Royal Crescent – Holland Park
Norland Square – in the north of the Holland Park district
Holland Park Mews
David & Victoria Beckham’s family home – 23 Holland Park (the road)
Me – outside the Beckham’s house – 23 Holland Park (the road)
Television celebrity Simon Cowell’s house – 10 Holland Park (the road)
Me – down Holland Park (the road)
Lansdown House – in Lansdown Road. Now renovated into individual residential apartments – but this building was once a prolific recording studio – where many artists cut their stuff – with music genre’s as diverse as Acker Bilk to the Sex Pistols
The home of Jimmy Page (the founder and lead guitarist of the legendary Led Zepplin band) – 29 Melbury Road, Holland Park
Me – outside Jimmy Page’s home in Melbury Road
Entrance to Holland Park Mews
Holland Park Mews
Holland Park Mews
Me – down in Holland Park Mews
The once home of Sir Henry Debenham (the founder of the Debenhams retail empire – at 8 Adison Road, Holland Park
Author, Dame Agatha Christie’s home – at 58 Sheffield Terrace
The blue plaque on display on the exterior wall o0f Agatha Christie’s house in Sheffield Terrace
The blue plaque on display on the one home of author James Joyce – 28 Campden Grove, Holland Park
The blue plaque on display at the Sheffield Road home of Sir Edward Henry – who pioneered the finger-printing technique
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area – showing the famous “Windsor Castle” pub
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
Street scene – Holland Park area
One of Elton John’s London homes – 4 Queensdale Place, in the north of the Holland Park district
Me – loitering outside Elton’s gaff
The main entrance to Holland Park – (the actual park itself)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Statue of Lord Holland inside Holland Park (the park!!) – He owned the estate that the park and the land that now contains most of the surrounding streets
Holland Park (the area) is so posh that even the dogs have their own khazi in the park
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Views from inside Holland Park (the park)
Me – inside Holland Park (the park)
Me – inside Holland Park (the park)
Sculpture – inside Holland Park (the park)
Sculpture – inside Holland Park (the park)
Resident peacock – inside Holland Park (the park)
Another resident peacock – inside Holland Park (the park)
“The Castle” pub situated on Holland Park Avenue – the exterior still displays the original Victorian tiling
Me – outside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Me – necking down a ‘cheeky’ beer – inside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Me – necking down another ‘cheeky’ beer – inside The Castle pub – Holland Park
Loved this one
Gгeetings! – I found this post to be very interesting and helpful. Thɑnks for sharing
Oh Thank you so much ,me and my 5 siblings were born and raised in Holland Park at 16 Princes Place. This place holds the most amazing childhood memories for me. My mother also was raised here before we were all born. I still don’t know where our surname originally came from, I cannot find any trace – it was SHOCKLEDGE.
Thank you so much for these memories – I love Holland Park with all my heart. X
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to provide me with your feedback on my Holland Park blog – really kind of you, as it is always a pleasure to hear from followers of my work – it makes it all worthwhile. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the article on Holland Park and that it brought back some happy memories for you.
Much enjoyed your presentation of Holland Park. Was hoping there might be a reference to Lionel and Jean of “As time goes by”. I realize their” address” in The Park is fictional but have always wondered if the series was partly filmed on location there. Any thoughts?
Sincerely, Michael
Hi Michael,
Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to contact me -really appreciate it – and I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this particular blog on my London Shoes website – it’s so reassuring to receive feedback from a reader, it makes my little London Shoes hobby all worthwhile.
Turning to the questions you raise, then I have done a bit of research on the ‘As Time Goes By’ tv series, which confirms that the 2 main houses used for filming were located in “St. James’s Garden” (Lionel & Jean’s home) and “Addison Avenue” – both of which are situated in the Holland Park/Notting Hill districts of London. All ‘outside’ filming was done in Hertfirdshire & Berkshire.
I never really followed the series myself, so didn’t cover these 2 houses off in the photos that accompanied my blog – but I’m often down in that area of London doing other blogs, and so next time I’m there I will seek these 2 properties out, photograph them, and then add them to my original blog, as I’m sure there will be readers like yourself, who would be interested.
Once again, thank you for your feedback – very gratefully received.
Cheers……GEOFF (London Shoes)
Hi Geoff,
Re: Holland Park
Many thanks for your prompt reply. Interesting that you had not followed Lionel & Jean but have done some follow up research.Await learning the results of your further enquiries if you have the time. Episodes of “As time goes by” are available on YouTube if you wish to pursue. I can thoroughly recommend this series. It brings to mind a much simpler society without the incessant need to be informed. Of course memory fades and the “Good old days” were ever thus, despite the facts. Should mention I am a pre-war (WW2) anachronism.
Cheers, Michael
Hi Michael – always happy to follow-up on topics that any readers of my work have kindly taken the time to contact me about – it’s my pleasure.
As a person approaching his mid-60’s in age, I know exactly what you mean about the ‘Good old Days’ – I know it’s common practice to see past years through rose-tinted glasses, but I personally believe they really were the good old days – certainly for me anyway.
My very best to you Michael.
Cheers……GEOFF (London Shoes)
This is so informative and just great for someone wanting some info on Holland Park. Thank you Geoff 🙂
Thank you Flo – really pleased you enjoyed my Holland Park blog. If you’re interested then you will find many more similar articles within the Categories page of my London Shoes website menu.
Kind regards…..Geoff (London Shoes)
So pleased to come across your blog – had an unexpected break today and with the weather looking promising this pm – thought we’d take a look around Holland Park.
Came across your blog and quite shamelessly knocked up a route to incorporate just about everything you recommended – thank you – very much appreciated!
Angus-thank you for taking the time & trouble to contact my “London Shoes” website – and I am so pleased that you enjoyed my Holland Park blog – feedback such as yours makes my little hobby all worth while.
Many thanks…….GEOFF (London Shoes) ?
That isn’t Simon Cowell’s house. He lives at #10 Holland Villas Road.
Great read and photos, thank you…interested to know more about the man statue, who or what does he represent ? Grew up in Ladbroke Grove/portobello , going up to the park was a thing we did regularly, remember the peacocks and adventure playground so well. Thanks for bringing back some memories! Leah
Hi Leah,
Just wanted to thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact me via my London Shoes website – very grateful to you – and I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the blog.
The topics of ‘Ladbroke Grove’ & ‘Portobello Road’ are actually on my (extensive) ‘To Do’ list, so if there any specific, more unusual, lesser known historic landmarks in those two areas, that you think people might find interesting – then please do not hesitate to let me know.
Kind regards…..GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
geoffclements@btinternet.com
Correct me if I am wrong but I think Van Morrison lives at the top of the avenue. One of my favourite singers?
He’s one of my favourites too – I particularly like his earlier material – quality ?
Cheers……GEOFF (www.londinshoes.blog)
I lived in Clarendon Road for many years. My sister lived in Norland Square, and my uncles official residence whilst he was the High Commissioner from Nigeria was Holland Park Road. The same street as the Beckhams. Fond memories living there.
Hi Ola,
Just wanted to thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact my London Shoes website – really appreciate it?
I’m so glad that you enjoyed my Holland Park blog, and that it brought back happy memories for you – it really is a lovely part of London.
Also – thank you for sharing your ‘connections’ and ‘recollections’ – very interesting, and I’m sure future readers of this particular blog, will also be interested.
Kind regards……GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
So nice to read about Holland Park.
I was born in Princedale Road (1956)
My parents had a Hardware shop in Portland Road, which they relocated to 112 Holland Park Avenue, and then 96 Holland Park Ave.
For many years 112 was a newsagents, Fags & Mags, I worked there after school and at weekends in 70-73. Great fun, with lots of famous customers, Joanne Lumley being one of my favourites. My father also ran a property maintenance Co, and redeveloped the flats above 112 HPA, and they became Holland Park Terrace, with an entrance in Portland Road. I Lived in no 5 for the latter part of 89, till I married and moved to Dorset. For a short while we had Carla Lane (Bread) living in no 3 HPT. She had sold her house in Portland Road to Ruby Wax, and was in need of somewhere to stay for a few months.
Please do you have any information about The Halcyon Club, Holland Park, 1934. It is the address given by a doctor for a consultation with one of his clients.
Hi Jan,
(I have also emailed you direct with this response)
Thank you for contacting me via my London Shoes website – its always reassuring to know that there are folk out there actually reading the stuff I publish.
From memory I published the Holland Park article some years ago now – in the very early days of my little London Shoes hobby, that I started in 2017 upon retirement from work.
I’m certainly no expert on the topics I publish – but try to highlight the more unusual or lesser known snippets of history about the streets/places of London.
So – I enjoy receiving enquiries such as yours, as it gives me the opportunity to ‘explore’ a bit more.
Having had a trawl through the internet yesterday, I did manage to dig up some information about the Halcyon Club in the 1930’s – but the info I discovered did not refer to the Club being at an address in Holland Park – but in Cork Street-Mayfair – so Im not entirely sure its the same place.
There is a listed building in Holland Park that is now a private hotel called ‘The Arts’ – but there’s nothing on-line that indicates it was once known as the Halcyon Club.
Anyway – below is a precis of the info about the ‘Halcyon Club’ that I did find – hope this helps:-
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The Halcyon Club in 1930s London was a significant women-focused arts and social hub, offering exhibition spaces, bedrooms for visiting members (like American photographer Helen Messinger Murdoch), and hosting lectures and concerts, attracting a diverse membership of artists and professionals in the creative industries, distinct from the era’s male-dominated gentlemen’s clubs.
Key Aspects of the Halcyon Club in the 1930s:
• Founding & Purpose: Established as a welcoming space for women in the creative fields, it was a progressive institution for its time, fostering collaboration and showcasing female talent.
• Facilities: It boasted exhibition galleries for fine arts, prints, handicrafts, and photography, plus rooms for guests and events, providing practical amenities like affordable accommodation for visiting members.
• Membership: By the time of its peak, it had hundreds of members from town, country, and abroad, including notable figures like Warburg’s colleague Helen Messinger Murdoch, who used it as a studio and base.
• Atmosphere: It served as a crucial meeting point and professional network for women in arts and commerce, a significant counterpoint to the exclusive, male-only gentlemen’s clubs of the era.
Context within London’s Nightlife:
While the Halcyon was a unique creative haven, the 1930s also saw other popular spots like the Embassy Club, known for its “bright young things” and dancing, but the Halcyon stood out as a dedicated professional and social club for women artists and creatives
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Geoff (www.londonshoes.blog)