Royal Places England – Part 2

This week, our royal tour takes advantage of the warming days, and spring starts looking to early summer. The royal family are well-known for their love of the British countryside, walking, riding and gardening, so our blue-blooded destinations include acres of the best landscapes, winding pathways, glorious views and of course beautiful blooms.

Come with us through 500 world-renowned acres in the heart of the capital to over 2,000 acres of rolling Oxfordshire countryside. We fly over the waves to discover a Victorian island garden fit for a queen, then forward in time to a sustainable organic garden created by a future-conscious modern monarch. And with an eye on the vagaries of the British weather, all come with plenty of comfortable places to shelter and find welcome refreshment, from organic cafes to a stately palace with over 180 rooms to choose from!

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Take the Isle of Wight ferry to discover one of the royals’ most beloved family homes. Osborne House was Queen Victoria’s palatial and beloved holiday home, where she raised her daughters away from the work and attention of London, and retreated to mourn the loss of her beloved Albert. Stunning views across the Solent reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples, inspiring him to design Osborne House himself, in the style of an Italian Renaissance palace.

Stroll the corridors and staterooms, replete with ornate furnishings and artefacts, where Victoria entertained heads of state. The private apartments give an unmissable intimate glimpse of royal family life, reflecting the Royal couple’s passions, tastes and style. Head out to the elegant garden terraces, then down for a promenade on the estate’s private beach, complete with historic bathing machine. With adventure trails, two playgrounds, ice-cream parlour, café and restaurant, there’s lots to enjoy. "It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot," said Victoria, and we are tempted to agree!

Highgrove House and Gardens

We know quite a lot about our newly-crowned King, but we always want to find out more! Charles’s personal taste, likes, dislikes, passions, personality- one very special garden gives an insight into all these and more. Located near the pretty Gloucestershire town of Tetbury, Highgrove House has been Charles’s retreat, refuge and passion for over forty years. The Georgian house is private, but the gardens offer views of the outside, including neo-classical additions made by Charles.

But people don’t come to Highgrove for those gardens! Discover their striking development and the important sustainable principles instilled over the past four decades, reflecting many of the King’s personal beliefs. A tour of the organic gardens offers a wealth of knowledge, beautiful scents and harmonious sounds. There is also an onsite restaurant serving a delicious menu, much sourced from the garden. You can even take a piece of Highgrove home, with cuttings, plants, gifts and organic products.

Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire

Our top tip for visiting Blenheim is: don’t plan anything else for the same day! One of the largest houses in England, it contains an almost unbelievable 187 rooms, covering over 300 years of history! Home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and World Heritage Site. Packed with fine art, artefacts, paintings and sculpture, it also houses one of the finest collections of antique furniture in Europe.

Royal to the core, Queen Anne paid for it to be built as a reward from a “grateful nation” to John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough, after his victory at the Battle of Blenheim. It’s also famously the birthplace of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. Outside, you’ve more than 2,000 acres of “Capability” Brown landscaped gardens and parkland, including formal Italian and rose gardens, water terrace, lakes, fountains, grottoes, temples and follies. You can see why we said allow a day- at least!

Royal Botanic Kew Gardens London

At this glorious time of year, who wants to be cooped up inside? A royal stroll in London's largest UNESCO World Heritage site, Kew Gardens, reveals unique landscapes, vistas and iconic architecture from every stage of the Gardens' history. With 500 acres and over 50,000 different species and, their plant collection is the largest and most diverse in the world. There’s also exotic palm houses, acres of woodland, paths, statuary, temples, and interactive children’s garden.

Then enjoy a break in one of Kew’s many cafés and restaurants for seasonal specialties and food foraged from the gardens. But what’s the royal connection? Princess Augusta, George III’s mother, founded the original botanic garden at Kew in 1759, and on inheriting it in 1772, George joined Kew with the royal estate in Richmond. Beloved by every Royal generation since, the Queen commissioned “The Queen’s Garden” in 1969. So keep your eyes open, and you might see King Charles pacing out his own addition to this evolving royal landscape!