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!
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