Holland House Old Dairy

Within Holland Park is a hidden gem. The Friends are helping to bring it into public view.
Holland House had its own dairy, a beautifully ornate and unique small space amongst the working outbuildings that supported the house, and the extensive entertaining that took place in the house.

Over the past 18 months The Friends of Holland Park have funded and assembled a dream team of professionals to work on the conservation (not restoration) of the dairy.  Given the ownership of the asset and the complexity of working with multiple heritage building trades, the project is being led by RBKC’s Parks Team, specifically Sarah Brion, their Senior Project Manager. Sarah is supported by Allies and Morrison (conservation architecture), BDP (heritage lighting) Richard Rogers Conservation (conservation of decorative works), and us, The Friends.

Little work has been done to stabilise the dairy since it was built circa 1852. Years of being unused, its location, and more recently being used as a café store, have contributed to its damaged and dilapidated condition. Once conserved, it will bring the sumptuous decorations back to life and help reduce further deterioration. 

The unique thing about this project is that, for the first time in its history, the dairy will be visible to the public. A viewing window is being created to see into the small and fragile space, with lighting to enhance the rich tilework within. 

The project has gone from an idea in 2020 to receiving Planning and Listed Building consent in March 2025. Construction tender drawings are ready. Once the last of the funding is in place it is anticipated the on-site works will commence in the autumn and be concluded by January 2026.

The Friends funded £20,000 towards the project in 2024. The trustees have approved another £20,000 towards the project in 2025. Other funds, in the range of £40,000-£55,000, are being sought to cover the cost of the project. The Friends have put in a NCIL (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) fund application, as it seems a fitting grant to apply for. At the time of writing, we await the outcome.

More research is being undertaken by The Friends to gain an understanding of how the dairy might have been used, what it contained: cool milk, butter and cheese?  Being adjacent to the Ice House, I like to imagine elaborate ice creams and sorbets too!

Text & photos by Isabelle Beaumont

[June 2025]

Blue Badge tours in Holland Park

Holland Park has an interesting history, starting with Holland House, built in 1607. Other estate buildings, such as the Ice House, summer ballroom, orangery, walkways and the dairy followed. Successive owners of the estate decorated these historic assets with carvings, tiles and stone ornaments and then acquired sculptures and statues to adorn their grounds. The grounds had areas to produce food, such as fish ponds, orchards and a kitchen garden. Any house of note must have formal gardens and tree-lined walks. Holland House had it all and you can hear about it on one of The Friends’ tours led by Blue Badge guides, who entertain as well as inform. See the tour dates under the heading of EVENTS above.

[June 2025]