HOLLAND GARDEN – A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOUR.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
When Helen Keller spoke these words, she was indeed not aware of the shared
purpose, belonging and joy Holland Garden, situated in the borough of Merton,
Southwest of the city of London would be offering.
The borough of Merton encompasses several smaller centres of which Wimbledon
and Raynes Park each boast a multitude of welcoming pubs, bakeries, chic cafes,
boutique shops and grocery stores. Amid the daily hustle and bustle of commuters
on the way to the local train station, Holland Garden serves as a secluded open space
where a breath of fresh, healing air and ever-changing colours of nature can be found.
The land was gifted to the people of Merton in 1928 by Lady Holland in memory of
her husband Sir Arthur Holland.
The Friends of Holland Garden
was formed by residents in 2003
to maintain and promote the
garden and its amenities for the
benefit of the local community.
One can find members of the
Friends of Holland Garden just
about every day of the week in the
garden: sweeping, cleaning,
maintaining a hedge or
enjoying well deserved
refreshments at the neat “club house”, after working in the garden.
.During a recent visit to the United Kingdom, I had the opportunity to discover this gem
amidst a well established, unassuming neighbourhood.
From the time one enters the Garden through the majestic wrought iron gates, the eye
can feast on the colours at play in the garden. A wheelbarrow full of assorted flowers,
at the entrance, invites visitors to stay as long as possible
In October 2025 the palette
was orange and red with a spot of
green as winter was imminent.
Vibrant colours only know where
winter can be bitterly cold, emerged
everywhere.
Holland Garden surprised once again in
February 2026. A local bakery in
Raynes Park had donated 1000
Snowdrops that had been planted
under the majestic oak tree.
Unfortunately, my short visit did not
allow me to enjoy the blooms.
With Spring a few days ahead other visitors to the garden could feast on the dancing daffodils and the colourful spring tulips that had been planted with so much care by the Friends of Holland Garden in anticipation of spring.
What makes this Garden remarkable is the receiving of the Green Flag award.
The Green Flag Award is the international benchmark for the management of parks
and green spaces. Established in the UK in 1996, it recognizes publicly accessible
spaces that are well-managed and safe. This award confirms this garden’s status as
a well-managed and high-quality green space.
Community is the foundation of shared purpose. This provides belonging and hope:
something individuals can’t achieve alone. When a community turns “I” into “we”,
individuals achieve something timeless and remarkable that transforms lives and
creates meaningful change. The Friends of Holland Garden have achieved this goal.
Holland Garden, well worth a visit: any day of the week by taking the South-Western
Railway from London Waterloo to Raynes Park station.
