Holland Park

Holland Park station is one of those Zone 2 stops that many people in central London underuse because they forget it exists. Situated between Notting Hill Gate and Shepherd's Bush on the Central line, it provides a quieter and more direct entry point to Holland Park itself than the busier nearby stations. The park - 54 acres of grounds surrounding the ruins of Jacobean Holland House - is one of London's most beautiful public green spaces and contains, within its Japanese section, the Kyoto Garden: a gift from Kyoto's Chamber of Commerce in 1991, featuring a stone lantern, koi pond, waterfall and carefully composed planting. The park's resident peacocks roam freely through the grounds.

Station Overview

Holland Park station opened in 1900 as part of the Central London Railway. It sits in Zone 2 and is served by the Central line only. The station does not have step-free access. It is between Notting Hill Gate to the east and Shepherd's Bush to the west.

Lines and Connectivity

The Central line (red) connects east to Notting Hill Gate (with connections to the Circle and District lines), and west through Shepherd's Bush and into the western branches towards Ealing Broadway and West Ruislip. Eastbound trains continue to Bond Street, Oxford Circus and central London. Journey time to Oxford Circus is approximately eight minutes.

Facilities

Holland Park station has free TfL Wi-Fi and ticket machines. The surrounding area - Kensington Place, Portland Road and the upper end of Notting Hill - has very good independent restaurants and cafes within a short walk. There are no significant facilities at the station itself.

Accessibility

Holland Park does not have step-free access. The nearest step-free Central line stations are Notting Hill Gate (one stop east, partial) or Shepherd's Bush (accessible via Westfield entrance). For full step-free access with Central line connections, plan via Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road.

Travel Tips

• Holland Park is about five minutes walk from the station - exit and head south along Holland Park Avenue, then enter through one of the park gates.
• The Kyoto Garden is inside the park in the Japanese section - a meditative space with stone lanterns, a waterfall and a koi pond. Well worth the detour from the main park paths.
• Peacocks roam freely in the park - especially in the formal garden sections near the ruins of Holland House.
• The Design Museum, formerly in the park's Orangery building, has moved to Kensington - but the Orangery itself is still a good spot for a cafe stop.
• Notting Hill restaurants on Kensington Place and Hillgate Street are within fifteen minutes walk north-east.

Nearby Attractions

Holland Park - five minutes walk south. 54 acres with formal gardens, woodland, the Kyoto Garden, free-roaming peacocks and the remains of Holland House. The Open Air Theatre runs performances in summer. Free entry.

Kyoto Garden - inside Holland Park. A Japanese garden donated by Kyoto in 1991, with koi pond, waterfall and stone lanterns. Free.

Design Museum - accessible from Kensington High Street station. Now housed in the former Commonwealth Institute building. Admission charged for major exhibitions; free to enter the building.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Central line services at Holland Park run from approximately 05:30 to midnight Monday to Saturday and 07:00 to 23:30 on Sundays. Night Tube operates on the Central line on Friday and Saturday nights. Holland Park is at its best in spring (April to May) when the azaleas bloom in the woodland garden, and in summer when the Open Air Theatre is running.