Local Wildlife Site

Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

Holland Park
Borough: Kensington and Chelsea
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 17.2 ha

Description

Far less-intensively managed than other central London parks, this site includes the most extensive woodland in much of central and west London. Although of planted origin and dominated by non-native trees, this woodland supports an unusual variety of wildlife. Other habitats include several ponds with associated marshy grassland.Holland Park won a Green Flag Award again for 20089. Kensington & Chelsea Walking Alliance uses this site – a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme; see link for details.

Wildlife

Breeding birds include a pair of tawny owls, coal tits and bullfinches, while resident mammals include bank voles, rabbits and hedgehogs. The insect life includes the purple hairstreak butterfly and several rare ground beetles.The ponds and marshy areas support a number of locally uncommon plants, such as imperforate St John's-wort and bog stitchwort.

Facilities

Information at ecology centre; playgrounds; refreshments; car parking; art gallery; disabled facilities; historical features; toilets; sculptures/monuments. Guided bird and tree walks, concerts and other events organised by the Friends of Holland Park.
Roosting tawny owls © Nigel Reeve

Roosting tawny owls © Nigel Reeve
Hedgehog © Nigel Reeve

Hedgehog © Nigel Reeve

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Find out more

More information on GiGL’s SINC dataset can be found here.

Additional information, including other site designations and species recorded onsite and nearby, can be provided in community and client data search reports. Request information here.