Area Feature
If you prefer rural living with all its trees and lakes to London's urban 24-hour lightshow, then you're unlikely to be pleased with much of what the capital has to offer. However, for those wishing easy access to the centre of town and a quieter lifestyle, there is Holland Park.
Known for being one of the most fashionable areas of London, the district has become a thriving upper-market residential area with plenty in the way of parks and green open spaces. Fans of the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous will recognise the name as it is the location of Edina Monsoon's residence. The glamorous tone of the programme sums up the area perfectly. Bolly, stolly?
Properties
Before we get onto the various benefits of living in such an affluent area in London, the first priority of any would-be resident should be 'what kind of housing is available?' There's plenty on the residential menu to choose from. If price is no objection, we recommend checking if there are any vacant properties on the Royal Crescent, one of the most aesthetically-pleasing streets in London. The stucco-fronted white crescent is divine to look at, with many of the four-storey properties now converted into flats.
However, Holland Park has a reputation for being one of the most expensive areas in London to buy, often competing with Mayfair for the top spot. Large houses here regularly sell for more than £10 million but you'll be in good company as a number of countries maintain their embassies here.
Location
The name 'Holland Park' has been given to the district on account of the enormous 22-hectare park that occupies the centre. If this isn't enough for rural living, seek out Kensington Gardens to the east and Ladbroke Square Garden to the north. Both are gorgeous places to spend a lunchtime.
Holland Park is located in North-West London, in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Access to the centre is easy enough, with High Street Kensington being the easiest Tube station to reach. However, surrounding stations also include Gloucester Road and Notting Hill, meaning the Piccadilly, Central, District and Circle lines are easy to get to. The district is served by London buses and taxis so you shouldn't have a problem getting around. National travel can be achieved through Paddington Rail Station, just a short walk away, or London Victoria via the Tube, which allows access to Kent and the south of England.
Lifestyle
The upper-market bars, cafes and shops that populate Holland Park offer a hint of what lifestyle you can expect to lead if you choose a property here. For fine dining, look no further than Anthony Worrall Thompson's Notting Grill or The Belvedere, while pub grub fans will find all they desire in the delightful Mitre, which features an extensive menu and a great selection of ales on tap.
Sporty types will find all they need in the form of Kensington Leisure Centre, which features squash courts, five-a-side pitches and a fully functional gym. After your workout, don't forget to head to the nearest Champagne bar for a bottle of Bollinger in the spirit of Patsy and Eddy from Ab Fab. Cheers, sweetie.
Posted by Chris Price
