Despite its relatively small size compared to the more famous Hyde Park or Richmond Park, the area of Holland Park boasts many draws, including a playing field for pick-up games of football or cricket, an ecology centre, rugged woods for brisk jogs, and a hostel. The park even hosts opera performances in the summer!
My favourite part of the park is the peaceful Kyoto Garden, which is like a tiny pocket of Japan inside an English setting. When I first moved to London, my apartment was only minutes away. I would often spend time here to get away from the cramped space of my flat and the noise from my busy street.
The garden was opened in 1991 as a gift from Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain. The garden is carefully designed to reflect key traits of Japanese gardens, including stone lanterns, tiered waterfalls and plenty of fish. The crashing water is occasionally mixed with the squawks of peacocks who wander around the park. Despite these occasional birdcalls, a few minutes in the Kyoto Garden will have a restorative effect to your spirit.
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Chesham Arms is a historic local pub saved by the community. The interior is full of character, with two fireplaces making it cosy on chilly winter days.
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Make a day of the market of Stepney City Farm on Saturdays, with a petting zoo and a fantastic cafe using organic produce from local growers,
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In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.
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Their Reading room is a mix between a gallery and a library with books and lots of places to sit and read or do some work on your laptop.
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They have an array of all the classic pastries you’d expect from a French bakery, from pain au chocolat & croissants to my favourite croissant aux amandes.
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The Barbary pays homage to the culinary traditions of the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.
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With connections to the local skate scene, it's a place where the mulleted, leather-jacketed alternative students from art unis head for a big night.
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"Kew Gardens" is the famous UNESCO world heritage site in Southwest London. It's great to visit for its plants, flowers and Christmas festivities!
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"Tayyabs" in London is a legendary Punjabi run. I'll go weak at the knees at the aroma of their sizzling platters of marinated lamb chops & shami kebabs...
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"Sambrook's Brewery" in London is tucked among housing and insustrial estates; it's off the beaten track but should be on every beer lover's map...
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258 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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