Holland Park

Today my photo destination is Holland Park, located in West London just off Kensington High Street. So in order to get there I take a turn from Kensington High Street first to Melbury Road and then to Ilchester Place.

What I see immediately as I enter the park is a large green area, presumably some sort of a playground.

Apparently, the dogs that come to this park are all well-educated and can read this sign!

It’s a Monday morning, and there are not that many people in the park – so it looks pretty empty (or, to be fair, it was me who made it look so, patiently waiting for everyone to get out of my frame).

The park used to surround the Holland House, which was destroyed by bombing during WWII. Only ruins remain now, but I don’t have a picture of them. This flower garden belonged to the original Holland House.

While walking around, I suddenly saw this gorgeous peacock, displaying his tail feathers.

The absolute highlight of Holland Park for me is the Kyoto Garden, donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto.

I had to wait for about 15 minutes for everyone in my sight to leave, so that I could eternalise this beautiful view in its perfect solitude and tranquility.

Most of the paths in the park are made of gravel, so I really regretted wearing my thin-soled ballerinas – it hurt!

The northern part of the park is actually semi-wild woodland, with the crowns of the trees forming these rather dark alleys.

At first I thought this was grass and didn’t realise it was water until I saw this cute little duckling swimming.

And just look at this cheeky squirrel, which tried to play hide-and-seek with me, peeking out from behind a tree!

Poor Lord Holland (Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland) must be pretty used to being pooped all over by nasty pigeons!

Strange – autumn is not even anywhere close yet, and some trees are all red already!