A local’s visit to London’s Dutch Garden, one of the most secret gardens in the city, nestled in Holland Park, West London, two steps away from Kyoto Garden!
Along with the Kyoto Garden I recently showed you, the Dutch Garden in Holland Park, West London, is one of my favorite places to walk around when I want to find some nature in London.
Themed gardens, like Japanese gardens and other English-style parks, are something I’ve always loved – but they’ve got nothing on historical gardens.
I’m more into old places than new shops, and as I was walking around London, I’ve come across many secret gardens, like the St Alphage Garden, Salters’ Garden, and the likes of the St Pancras Church Gardens.
The City of London, for one, is filled with pocket parks that sit on the sites of former churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, and later by the Blitz during WWII.
Anyhoo – today’s about one of the most natural and picturesque photo spots you’ll find in the city; great to visit in the spring, summer, and autumn!
London’s Dutch Garden – A Secret Place in Holland Park
The Dutch Garden is located in Holland Park, only a few minutes’ walk from the pretty Notting Hill area with its colorful houses, cute shops and the famous Portobello Road Market.
It was originally known as the Portuguese Garden, and was later renamed for political reasons (due to Englang’s changing diplomatic relationships).
The Dutch Garden was laid out in 1812 by Buonaiuti, who was the librarian and factotum for the Holland House family.
We’re indeed in what was once part of the Jacobean mansion Holland House, which was damaged during the Blitz in WWII, leading to the site being converted into a public park.
The story is kind of similar to that of other historical sites in London, like St Dunstan in the East or Christchurch Greyfriars – although these are church ruins converted into pocket gardens.
As you walk around the Dutch Garden, you can admire the geometrically-planted clipped box hedges and tulips blooming in the spring, and you’ll also spot a few sculptures on your stroll.
Since 1812, the garden layout hasn’t changed much, making it a great spot to visit if you’re into historical sites as much as nature.
Hidden Gems of the Dutch Garden, Holland Park London
Milo of Croton statue – Friends of Holland Park Donation
Mao Wen Biao Mural at the Dutch Garden
The mural painted along a wall of the Dutch Garden (facing the fountain) echoes Holland House’s social history, with colorful and wonderfully detailed 19th-century garden-party scenes.
Look closely to spot various details you will see in real life at the Dutch Garden, like the astrolabe and the Neoclassical-style pots.
Fountain at the Dutch Garden
Astrolabe at the Dutch Garden
Dutch Garden, Holland Park London Photo Gallery
London’s Dutch Garden – A Secret Place in Holland Park
When you’re done visiting the Dutch Garden, I can’t recommend a visit to nearby Kyoto Garden enough; it’s really only a couple of minutes away, and another secret garden that hides inside Holland Park.
If you haven’t visited Notting Hill yet, do so and discover its unique shops and colorful streets.
Or, have breakfast there in the morning, and lazily discover the Holland Park area and its gardens afterwards!
Dutch Garden London
Address: Holland Park, London W8 7QU
Website: The Friends of Holland Park