Have you always wanted to learn more about the history of Holland Park in London? Ever wondered what the intricate features of a Japanese garden are meant to represent? Curious about the people who once presided over these grounds? My Holland Park Walk (‘From the House of all Europe’ to the tranquility of the Kyoto Garden’) might be just the right thing for you then!
Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden in its spring attire.
Just off High Street Kensington, Holland Park is often described as one of London’s most charming parks. In this tour we will learn more about the family after whom it has been named and how their home became the epicenter of all social life. The main focus of our visit, however, will be the Kyoto Garden – an authentic Japanese garden in the heart of London – where I’ll introduce you to the history of Japanese garden design as well as explain some of it’s key features. While exploring this oasis of serenity, we might also be joined by a flock of peacocks or a heron. For locals and newcomers alike, this tour will be an opportunity to (re-)discover Holland Park in all its splendour.
The ruins of Holland House in winter.
To fortify us during our walk, complimentary Japanese cookies will be offered along our route! For a sneak peek of the tour, check out full features about the walk on An Independent Will, Adventures of a London Kiwi, Sequins and Cherry Blossoms and The Londoneer as well as a little mention on About.com‘s London Travel page:
- http://golondon.about.com/od/londonparksgardens/fr/Holland-Park.htm
- http://adventuresofalondonkiwi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/holland-park.html
- http://sequinsandcherryblossom.com/2012/11/11/kyoto-tranquility-in-holland-park/
- http://londoneer.org/2013/05/the-japanese-sensibilities-of-holland-park.html
In November 2013, Speak Up, an Italian magazine tailored at English as a Second Language readers, asked me to participate in a feature about Holland Park. Here’s a link to a short video they made from my interview as well a PDF version of the article itself:
- http://www.speakuponline.it/show-video/404?as=page
- https://insearchoflosttimes.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/holland-park-yannick.pdf
A peacock and visitor interacting with Sinta Tantra’s sculpture.
This tour is open to the general public as well as Japanophiles who want to learn more about this charming and ‘off-the-beaten-path’ area of London. To check dates and buy tickets, please visit my Eventbrite page: http://hollandparkwalk.eventbrite.co.uk/. The meeting point for the tour is just outside of Holland Park Tube Station (see map below) and, if you prefer it more spontaneous, you can also simply show up on the day itself.
If you have any more questions do not hesitate to get in touch either via Eventbrite or send me an email directly to: yannick.pucci[at]gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter (@ypldn) where I am always up for a chat. (This walk can also be booked as a private walk, contact me for more details.)
I hope you are interested in joining this tour and I am looking forward to meeting you!
Yannick Pucci
(If you’ve been on one of my walks and enjoyed it, please feel free to write a review in the ‘Leave a Reply’ comment section below. Thank you.)
In Search of Lost Time(s) 