Buckingham Palace gardens to open to public
7 November 2008
Lovers of royal gardens are in for a treat next year as HM The Queen is to open the gardens of Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time.
Tours of the 16ha walled garden - the largest private garden in London – are being offered on selected dates in April, May and June.
The garden has undergone many changes since it was originally designed in 1825 under the guidance of George 1V and today it’s highlights include a 156m (520ft) long and 5m (17ft) wide herbaceous border, wisteria-clad summer house and rose garden.
It is also the home of 150 mature trees some of which were planted by members of the royal family to commemorate special events, and a 1.2ha lake now a nesting site for many water birds.
Tours are available to pre-booked groups of 15-25 people and include a introductory talk, garden tour and refreshments. Monies raised from the £20 a head charge will be used for future garden maintenance, to augment grant-in-aid from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and to be donated to the Royal Collection Trust.
For more information, tel: 020 7766 7333.