I have lived here pretty much my whole life.
I grew up on a street that is basically on the border between Notting Hill and Holland Park. So I would consider myself a little bit of a Notting Hillbilly.
I love it. When I was about 18, I had this urge go live somewhere painfully cool, like Berlin or Shoreditch or something.
But I’m really settled here. It’s like a little village, everybody knows each other.
Eating and Drinking
There’s an amazing restaurant called Clarke’s and they’ve opened a Sally Clarke’s café, which is fantastic.
One of my favourite restaurants is the Belvedere, which is in a building in the centre of Holland Park itself. It’s really nice if you’re going for Sunday lunch or date night, or dinner with friends. It’s a really magical setting.
There’s a bit of an institution called Julie’s at the top of Portland Road, which has just been taken over by Tara MacBain. They’ve retained some of the original crazy interior design, and they’ve got a phenomenal seasonal menu of British food. In the summer they have fairy lights in the trees across the square.
In terms of pubs, the Ladbroke Arms has to be my favourite. It’s just I got a great neighbourhood vibe, really good food and beautiful plants outside.
Where I work out
I prefer to work out outside. I am not a big gym bunny. Yoga and Pilates are my number one.
I really like to play tennis, and we’ve got a few great tennis clubs around here. I go online and book the tennis courts in Holland Park, it’s £9 to book a court for an hour. Right by the tennis courts there’s an outdoor gym, which is more my kind of thing.
To commune with nature
In London we’re lucky that there are so many parks, but I think Holland Park is underrated. I love to meditate in the Japanese garden there, it’s really peaceful and serene.
I also have been beekeeping in Holland Park before. I sound like such a hippie. There’s a secret meadow in the middle of Holland Park you can book online to do this beekeeping course.
They give you the full beekeeper’s outfit and you learn all about how people keep bees in London, how you know you can make honey from it and how bees are amazing for our ecosystem.
Grocery shopping
I have to be honest: nine times out of 10, I’d go to Tesco on Holland Park Avenue.
But if I’m feeling boujie, then I would definitely go to Supermarket of Dreams on Holland Park Avenue. It’s a haven for really random but delicious little bits and pieces. It’s got this metallic interior and a bright pink neon sign above the door.
For a culture fix
Opera Holland Park in the summer is amazing. We’ve got Leighton House Museum, which is great for a rainy afternoon.
The Design Museum is at the bottom of the park. The architecture is amazing and they have really interesting and unusual exhibitions.
The Coronet Theatre at Notting Hill Gate often has interesting plays. I used to go to salsa classes under the Notting Hill Gate Cinema. And the Tabernacle in Notting Hill as is great for live music. Sometimes well-known bands will do surprise concerts.
Getting around
I walk most places, it’s really nice area to walk around. We’re on the Central line and only 10 minutes from Soho on the Tube.
We’ve got great buses, and you can easily get out to the airport.
Dream street
If we’re really shooting for the stars, then it has to be Holland Park itself. You’ve got these incredible double-fronted stucco houses that back directly on to the park.
There’s Ilchester Place. They’re amazing houses very sought after. If you’re looking for something a little bit more funky, Melbury Road has some really cool buildings with artists’ studios.
Something you only see in Holland Park
Peacocks wandering around the streets. They live in the park and sometimes they like to go for a wander.
What’s the catch?
There isn’t one, but I’m biased.
In three words
Charming. Friendly. Understated.
Rosi Walden stars in Buying London, streaming on Netflix @rosi.walden
Schools
Wetherby Pembridge Minors is an independent nursery and pre-prep. For primary schools there is Norland Place. Secondary schools are Holland Park School, St Paul’s Girls’ School, and Godolphin and Latimer School.
What it costs
Buying in Holland Park
Average property price: £1,403,920
Renting in Holland Park
Average flat price, pcm: £3,490
Average house price, pcm: £5,390
