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Holland Park & Roof Gardens (London - England)

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The region of Kensington in London is just so good! There are 4-5 railway station in within Kensington (Olympia, South, High Street etc). All major museums, Royal Albert hall etc are here! While I was here I had a couple hours free and checking out 2 gardens in the locality. One was Holland Park and it was most definitely my lucky day there!


The Holland Park is the largest in Kensington at 22.5 hectares. There are sections for real wild areas for undisturbed wildlife, beautifully manicured gardens, water bodies, kids play area, proper playground, cafe and lots more!

So, why was my day lucky? In one of the manicured garden part was this peacock. Then I saw this Peahen. Then I saw another peacock and both the boys were trying big time to seduce the gal!!! And it was then, one of the peacock opened up its feathers and started dancing. Sadly, the peahen just didn't care, however me and the other few visitors of the park were incredibly rejoiced!!! 


Anyways, after the fella got rejected, a pigeon went on to be a bro to the fella and walked along!!!! Later on, after about half an hour I did spot the peahen with the peacock, but I dunno if he was the guy who danced, though...

The tulips in full bloom everywhere and the modern sculptures scattered all over the park made the place just perfect. Infact there was also a huge chess board, and there was a toddler who was moving the chess pieces, which were as tall as he was! There are some seating arrangements everywhere and there are proper round tables near the car park.
One of the major sections of the park was a garden was the Kyoto Garden. Kyoto, located in central Japan, was the capital city for several years. There is a gorgeous 3 step waterfalls which makes the place just spectacular. The water flows over and forms a pool and that places was filled with Grey Herons, Pigeons and Ducks! The colors of the flowers and leaves of the plants and trees all around it made the place just the best!!! This part was built in 1991.
From there at a walkable distance, very very close to the High Street Kensington station is the Derry & Tom's Roof Garden. Derry and Toms is a good old department store and there was a garden on its roof. In 1973 it was closed and many various offices opened and closed till date but the roof gardens stayed on and in 1981 became a Grade II* listed building!

Its 100ft above the ground in 6th floor and sprawling across 1.5 acres. Apart from a few mallard ducks the most important thing here - the 4 flamingoes!!! 
The place is filled not only plants but also tall trees! That's something here in England that totally astonishes me. The gardens in higher floors filled with not just plants but trees with all their roots! That's engineering at its best!

It has seating arrangements along the sides with roofing. At one section there were multi colored pouffy cushions of the floor with a very Turkish feel to it! 
The wondrous part it when you see from outside its almost impossible to see the trees and to figure there's such a place in the 6th floor. A day basking in the sun here is just the best!!!

To Get There:
Nearest Railway Stations: Kensington Olymipia, High Street Kensington
Entry fee: Free at both places

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