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Holland Park is the most romantic
of London's parks. The park opened in 1952, on what remained
of the grounds of Holland House, the rest of the land had
been sold off in the late-19th century for the construction
of large houses and terraces to the north and west.
The woods and formal gardens
of Holland Park surround the reconstructed Jacobean Holland
House. Some of the formal gardens laid out around Holland
House have survived from the early-19th century
The small, but lively, park is
more wooded and intimate than the large royal parks of Kensington
Gardens and Hyde Park to the east. T
Features include the Kyoto Japanese
Garden, laid out for the 1991 London Festival of Japan, rose
gardens, woodland, wildlife pond and ecology centre. The
park's abundant wildlife includes tame rabbits, squirrels
and peacocks.
There is also an adventure playground,
cafe, and, during the summer, open-air theatre and opera under
an elegant canopy.
Holland House, at the south end
of the park takes its name from an early owner Sir Henry,
Earl of Holland. During the 19th century Holland House
was a centre of social and political intrigue with statesmen,
including Lord Palmerston, mixing with people like the poet
Byron.
Holland House suffered bomb damage
during World War II, and now only the ground floor and arcades
remain. The restored east wing houses a youth hostel,
and the summer ballroom has been converted in to a contemporary
restaurant, 'The Belvedere'. The orangery and ice house stage
temporary exhibitions
Admission free
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