Holland Park in west London is the former estate of Holland House, home to Henry Fox Lord Holland and his family from the late 1700s. Henry’s son, Charles James Fox, was a prominent Whig politician. A leading libertarian and lifelong thorn in the side to George III, he was Britain’s first foreign secretary.
Today, the public park provides something for everyone in its 54 acres – woodland walks, gardens, adventure playgrounds, sports fields and home to cultural events. The Japanese Kyoto Garden is especially popular.
The Jacobean house, originally built in 1605 by Sir Walter Cope, was extensively damaged during WWII. London County Council brought the house and gardens into public ownership in 1952 and today the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea continues to invest in its renovation and refurbishment.
