For the first time in history, Buckingham Palace will open its private East Wing to the public, and the reveal has uncovered some of the building's oldest secrets.

The wing, which was completed 175 years ago, encompasses the palace's façade and features the iconic central balcony, where the British Monarch and members of the Royal Family have gathered for public appearances since 1851.

From tomorrow, July 11th, small visitor groups can enjoy a tour of the East Wing’s Principal Floor, which has never been accessible to the public before. To celebrate its opening, TV host Lorraine Kelly visited the royal residence, and during her tour, she unveiled some of Buckingham Palace's secrets to the world. First: A secret passage behind a mirror in the White Room.

'This room hides a fantastic secret. If I walk over here, you can see it looks like a beautiful mirror; it’s absolutely gorgeous. But there’s something very special about this huge mirror,' Kelly says in the footage that aired on the British channel ITV.

In front of the mirror, Kelly stands by a large cabinet, which, she reveals was used as a handle. Placing her hand underneath the cabinet, she says: 'You can pull it out; I’m not going to pull it right out; it’s actually a hidden doorway... The doorway leads to the Royal Family’s private apartments in there! The King, of course, can use it to enter or leave the room discreetly whenever he so wishes. Isn’t that great?'

According to reports, this White Room is one of the more intimate spaces in the palace. The late Queen Elizabeth formerly entered via the hidden door before receiving guests. 

For visitors who are looking to explore the East Wing, they can tour the Centre Room, from which they will have a view of the balcony, and the ornate Yellow Drawing Room, with its towering Chinese porcelain pagodas. The tour will also pass through the 240-foot-long Principal Corridor, which spans the entire width of the palace and features paintings by artists including Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Thomas Lawrence, and Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

Together, these rooms contain examples of the finest Chinese and Japanese porcelain and 19th-century furniture in the Royal Collection.

The East Wing was added to the Palace between 1847 and 1849 to provide space for Queen Victoria’s growing family, enclosing what had previously been a U-shaped courtyard. It's impossible not to note the wing's rococo decorating ideas – many of which reflect George IV’s love of Asian art and design.

The wing's construction was financed through the sale of the Royal Pavilion, George IV’s seaside retreat in Brighton, and many of his goods were transferred to the wing – meaning the space is a celebration of Chinese-themed décor.

The Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace is from Thursday, July 11th to Sunday, September 29th, 2024. Visitor information and tickets are avaiable through the Royal Collection Trust now.

The British royal family's homes are known as some of the best in the world, so it's no surprise that they have gardens to match. These outdoor spaces are (quite literally) fit for a king.

There is a seemingly endless garden inspiration across the dozens of royal residences either owned or previously owned by the Crown throughout the United Kingdom, but at Homes & Gardens, we have a few favorites. Our top five picks include the Windsor Castle Gardens, the Buckingham Palace Gardens, the Royal Gardens at Balmoral Castle, the Highgrove House Gardens, and the Sandringham Estate Gardens. Each has its unique planting and features, but they are all united by an impressive, stately look.

Though English gardens have been trending for quite some time, these royal homes are evidence that the look will never go out of style. Let's explore.

1. Windsor Castle Gardens

Windsor Castle, the residence famously used by the late queen to host foreign monarchs and heads of state, has a stately garden to match. The grounds of the East Terrace Garden contain approximately 3,500 rose bushes. The apricot variety shown here is named for acclaimed British author Roald Dahl, who wrote classics like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Matilda.

2. Buckingham Palace Gardens

It makes sense that the most famous royal home has one of the most impressive gardens, but the London-based Buckingham Palace Garden takes it to the next level. This gorgeous green space is home to 325 wild plant species, over 1000 trees, and 30 species of breeding birds. Aside from gorgeous wildlife, the garden is home to a gorgeous 19th-century lake that reflects the palace on its surface.

3. The Royal Garden at Balmoral Castle

The Balmoral Castle Gardens were created in 1852 when Prince Albert purchased the home for Queen Victoria. The formal gardens cover three acres, and every single one is beautiful. It's a masterclass in manicured gardening.

4. Highgrove House Gardens

Highgrove House was once the family residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and now the gardens are open to the public. Organic gardening and organic lawn management techniques have been incorporated, creating an effect that is both beautiful and sustainable.

5. Sandringham Estate Garden

Perhaps one of the largest royal gardens, the 60-acre Sandringham Estate garden spans lakes, streams, formal gardens and winding paths. A new topiary garden on the West Side of the garden invites visitors to experience the beauty of the green artform.

Shop H&G's English Gardening Picks

If you are hoping to recreate the royal family's gardens, it makes sense to start with the most quintessentially English garden plants: ivy and roses. We chose these hearty pink and yellow roses to match with those found at the Windsor Castle Gardens and the Buckingham Palace Gardens, while the climbing English ivy mirrors that which is found at Balmoral Castle.

As opposed to traditional American gardening, English gardens tend to savor in the juxtaposition of manicured hedges with more wild, untamed, and natural planting. To build your own English garden, carefully consider how to integrate these contrasts into your own outdoor space with flowers, zoning, and greenery. By planning a garden, you will be able to create a look that is at once sophisticated and free.

While we love the excitement of trying out new garden trends, there is just something special about these historic gardens that have remained the same for hundreds of years. Sometimes inspiration looks to the future, but the British royal family's gardens demonstrate that looking to the past can be just as fruitful.

Buckingham Palace is an interior design wonderland. Filled with antique and historical artifacts and decor, the London property is the quintessential royal estate. 

We were intrigued to realize, then, that King Charles III is a fan of an ever-popular home accessory brand – yes, the King is a Dyson owner.

A recent image of the King sitting alongside British Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace features plenty of interesting details, from framed paintings to stone statues. But it's the Dyson hot + cool purifier that stands out, modernizing (and cleaning) the space. 

There are a lot of purifiers out there on the market, so why is this one fit for royalty?

'Dyson air purifiers and fans have always been impressive and challenging to defeat by competitor products, so it's not surprising you can spy one in the back of this image,' explains Top Ten Reviews editor Caroline Preece, who previously reviewed the royal-approved air purifier for H&G.

The pure + cool model is a workhorse, taking on the role of both an air conditioner and space heater, along with purifying the air. In a royal residence that sees many high profile guests coming and going, it's a no-brainer.

'The appliances offer a 3-in-1 service - they cool, heat, and purify your air all at once, and, in my experience, the air purification feature is always top-notch during allergy season and quickly gets rid of any unwanted pollutants that invade your space,' Preece explains. 'Perfect for the health-conscious among us.'

The best part? The temperature settings are adjustable, so the appliance can be used all year round (beyond the cold winter season). 

'The heating feature is customizable, so you can set the temperature precisely what you want, which helps save energy when it's chilly outside,' she says.

It' also can be controlled by app or voice, and contains powerful 'Air Multiplier' technology to purify and heat the entire room.

The royal-approved Dyson Pure Hot + Cool is available from the brand's website and retails for $749.99. We can also invest below.

In a break of tradition, King Charles has offered a rare look inside his London residence, Buckingham Palace, for the first two months of the year. 

The landmark home does not conventionally allow the public to tour the property in January and February; however, 2024 comes with an exception. The Royal Collection Trust announced that Buckingham Palace will open its doors every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 26 February 2024 – meaning we can experience its opulent interiors for ourselves.  

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the 1.5-hour guided tour will take visitors through State Rooms that have played host to internationally recognized events, including the State Dining Room, which played host to Prince William and Princess Kate's wedding reception in 2011. The tour also passes through the White Drawing Room (pictured below), where Queen Elizabeth II recorded some of her Christmas broadcasts.

As arguably the most famous royal residence of all, it is unsurprising that the rooms inside Buckingham Palace exhibit some of the grandest interiors globally. An important representation of Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian interior styles, the palace results from years of work from celebrated nineteenth-century architects, most notably John Nash and Sir Aston Webb. 

However, the building's history dates back to the reign of James I in the early 17th century, who launched a plantation of mulberries where the Buckingham Palace Gardens now stand. 

In the centuries that followed, the palace evolved significantly from its original form. Most recently, the Royal Collection Trust notes that The Queen's Gallery was completely refurbished and expanded in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. 

Today, Buckingham Palace comprises 775 rooms –including 19 staterooms (many of which are explored during the door), 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. There is also an indoor swimming pool, a doctor's office, a chapel, and a movie theatre.

Despite its grandeur, however, it's worth noting that the palace is not King Charles and Queen Camilla's primary home. Instead, the monarchy continued to live in Clarence House, located only a stone's throw from the palace on The Mall. Clarence House allows visitors at specific points of the year; however, unlike Buckingham Palace, it remains closed for the coming weeks.

King Charles III has unveiled his decorations in the Centre Room of Buckingham Palace's East Wing – the setting of his annual Christmas message broadcast today. The pre-recorded message offered a glimpse at how one of the world's most famous homes decorates for the holidays – and this year, it includes a subtle nod to an ancient tradition. 

The king, known as a champion of environmental issues, dressed his tree with dried orange slices – reminding us that even the most sustainable Christmas decor can look luxurious. However, there's even more to this citrus staple than its eco-friendly qualities. 

In the US, oranges were first widely associated with Christmas in the nineteenth century, following the story of The Night Before Christmas, in which people placed oranges in stockings by the fireplace. However, the practice of putting an orange in a Christmas stocking reportedly stems from the ancient legend of the Bishop of Myra, described as the original Saint Nicholas.

In the tale, The Bishop of Myra threw gold coins into the homes of three maidens; one piece landed in a stocking drying by the fire. The custom of filling stockings with luxury gifts, including oranges (considered exotic over winter months), started here but continues to this day despite oranges being notably more accessible. 

Today, we continue to place oranges in stockings, but we have also found new ways to celebrate this fruit – including on our Christmas tree, as King Charles demonstrates. Dried oranges have a timeless aesthetic, but naturally, they come with sweet-smelling benefits, too.

'Citrus-based scents will always be a festive favorite, and they provide us with the opportunity to get creative too. Dried fruit Christmas decorations look beautiful and smell amazing,' comments design expert Georgia Metcalfe. 

As mentioned, this decoration has sustainable qualities, and it's also refreshingly easy to recreate. 

'Simply slice citrus fruits and thinly lay them out on an oven tray, and bake them on a low heat,' Georgia instructs. To get the royal residence look, we should turn our oranges into ornaments by threading some ribbon, twine, or string through the centers of the slices, then tie a knot to secure them.

'Or, if you desire more intensity, take some cloves and press them into the segments before baking. Display them in a vase with some fairy lights or make a hole in the middle of the slices and add them to a garland or your Christmas tree,' Georgia adds.

Alternatively, we can pick up some pre-dried oranges (for a quick decoration idea) via Amazon below. 

May 6th marked King Charles III's historic coronation – the first British crowning in 70 years. The main events, including a royal procession and flypast, took place on Saturday; however, celebrations began on Friday – in the world's most famous royal residence: Buckingham Palace. 

The palace was an apt choice for such a lavish celebration – featuring a series of rooms, including The Ballroom (below), dressed for diplomats and international royalty.

According to the Royal Collection Trust, The Ballroom is the largest of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace – completed in 1855 (under the reign of Queen Victoria). Inspired by the beauty and opulence of Italian Renaissance design, the interior decoration was supervised by Ludwig Gruner.

Since its completion, it has served as a Concert Room and a musicians’ gallery. Today, the Ballroom is used for official functions, including Investitures, State Banquets and parties – much like the one last Friday.

The King, Prince William, and Princess Catherine opened the palace to world leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden and Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. 

President Biden's absence at the coronation is said to be a result of a tradition dating back to the birth of the US – stating that the President should not attend coronations as a mark of independence from the UK.

'Headed to the UK for the Coronation of King Charles III – the first in 70 years!' Jill Biden tweeted before her flight to London. 'It's an honor to represent the United States for this historic moment and celebrate the special relationship between our countries.'

Some 100 heads of state are in the British capital for the weekend, many of whom attended last night's palace reception, including Queen Letizia of Spain, Crown Princess of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. 

In a post, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared that the event was a chance to welcome 'friends from across the Commonwealth and around the world' ahead of the coronation day. And we could think of no more perfect setting. 

And, while it was the first time in seven decades that the palace welcomed world leaders before a coronation, it was certainly not the first party of the week. Buckingham Palace Gardens also made headlines this week when King Charles hosted his first Garden party – marking a century-old tradition from Queen Victoria's reign.

The coronation itself may be underway, but it's not too late to celebrate in a similar style (almost) at home. We're beginning with these top picks below.

King Charles and The Queen Consort Camilla held their first official garden party yesterday, May 3rd – celebrating a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. The event, which took place in Buckingham Palace, was the first of two Garden Parties that will take place on the famous grounds – as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The London landmark (and arguably the most famous Royal residence worldwide) has hosted garden parties since June 1868, during Queen Victoria's reign. However, in more modern history, the events were best associated with Queen Elizabeth II, who used it to meet with charity workers and community representatives on the iconic grounds.

Yesterday, the King, who will celebrate his coronation on May 6th, followed in his mother's footsteps – alongside The Queen Consort, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and The Duke of Kent. They met with nearly 8000 guests, including diplomats and hundreds of volunteers from the Royal Voluntary Service, to mark the start of the coronation celebrations. 

Many of the 500 volunteers – described by the royals as the nation’s 'Coronation Champions' – attended the Coronation Garden Party, where they enjoyed food and drinks in royal company. 

Singer Lionel Richie, who will be performing at the Windsor Castle concert, also joined the family, diplomats, and volunteers – where he shared his excitement before performing on such a historic site on Sunday night. 

Here's what else we know about the history of royal Garden Parties – ahead of a momentous weekend for the family.

What is the history of royal Garden Parties?

The first Garden Party took place on June 20th, 1887, when Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 50 years.

'The afternoon splendid, & not too hot’…Quantities of people on the lawn whom I had to recognize as I went along…it was very puzzling and bewildering,' the Queen wrote in her diary, according to the Royal Collection Trust. 

Despite taking place in the nineteenth century, many elements of the first garden party followed a similar stricture to the ones we see today – taking place on the 5-acre camomile lawn between the garden front of the palace and the lake. There were also tea tents set up on the lawn. 

Today, the royal family has said that more than 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 slices of cake are served throughout the events.

British artist Frederick Sargent captured arguably the most famous party – Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Garden Party – in his artwork seen here. The oil on canvas depicts Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and her guests at the west front of Buckingham Palace – marking her 50th year on the throne. 

Garden parties aside, we're reading up on Buckingham Palace's garden history in this beautiful book below.

For many, the first week of spring offers the opportunity to enjoy seasonal flowers in the garden (and around the home) – and the royal family is no different. 

The family offered a look inside the most famous royal residence of all – Buckingham Palace – dressed for the new season with magnolias and camellias and the flower synonymous with spring: daffodils. 

'Spring has sprung in the Buckingham Palace garden,' the family says. The photo carousel below shows five of the many flowers on the expansive London grounds, aptly beginning with the March birth flower.

3 flowers seen in Buckingham Palace' spring garden

Unsurprisingly, the royal spring garden has acquired a host of attention from fans worldwide –  but what does it include? These are the three most notable flowers you can bring into your backyard this season. 

1. Daffodils

The first flower is also the most associated with spring – but it's also the national flower of Wales, meaning it likely has a special meaning for the former Prince of Wales. It was also loved by the late Queen, who had a daffodil created for her in 2012 (the Narcissus Diamond Jubilee, among other specially-bred varieties). 

While you won’t be able to get your hands on these special varieties, there are others, such as the Tazetta daffodils and the fragrant Pheasant’s Eye daffodils, that are easy to find far beyond Buckingham Palace's gates. We also love these daffodil bulbs from Amazon for their bountiful, colorful, and long-lasting qualities. 

'Bulbous flowers are a great addition to any garden as they make gorgeous bouquets to enjoy inside or brighten up a yard when most other plants are still awakening,' says the garden-planning experts at Screen With Envy. The experts add that daffodils are also beautiful indoor flowering plants – adding that miniature varieties are ideal for growing inside.

2. Magnolias

As seen in the second image, magnolias are widely grown ornamental trees that are at their most impactful in spring or early summer. If you're looking to replicate the royal garden, the RHS recommends planting in a sheltered spot in the sun or in light shade. 'Some need acidic conditions, but many are happy in any fertile, moist, well-drained soil,' they say.

Larger species, much the like seen in Buckingham Palace, needs ample space, but if you're working with a small garden, you can grow more compact magnolias in containers. 

3. Camellias 

If a look inside the Palace has inspired you to grow camellias, you may be pleased to hear that the process is refreshingly easy. 

Growing up to 39ft (12m) and 26ft (8m) wide (with the right care), these royal family-approved blooms are suitable for both flower beds or containers (once again, a good idea if you're working with a more compact garden). Evergreen foliage means they are great for screening and maintaining privacy (which we imagine makes them a favorite among the family).

This spring is the first since Queen Elizabeth II's passing in September 2022, and consequently, the king's coronation on May 6th, 2023. On the theme of springtime (and summer flowers), Buckingham Palace also unveiled the official Coronation emblem for King Charles III and the Queen consort, which honors the couple's dedication to the environment – and all four corners of the United Kingdom. 

The new emblem includes the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales (fittingly), and the shamrock of Northern Ireland. It also features the flowers of St. Edward’s Crown, which the king will wear during the ceremony (Merco Press reports). 

Buckingham Palace is arguably the most recognized 'royal residence' globally – but the areas that actually serve as homes are far less familiar to the outside world. 

Though the palace, located in central London, is considered a royal residence, much of the landmark property consists of official State Apartments that serve as meeting spaces for foreign dignitaries, royals, and celebrities alike. These rooms are also open to the public for selected dates during winter and spring and ten weeks each summer. 

The palace's Private Apartments are, however, much less explored – and they may soon serve as the UK base for Meghan and Harry, who were 'evicted' from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. 

According to The Mail on Sunday, King Charles requested the couple leave their former home and is said to have offered the property to his brother, Andrew, the Duke of York. However, reports say that the monarch has offered Meghan and Harry an 'olive branch' in the shape of an apartment in Buckingham Palace. 

'His Majesty is furious [with Harry], as is [Prince] William. But the King is not a bad man. He has no wish to see his brother Andrew homeless or penniless. Nor does he wish to deprive the Sussexes of a base in the UK,' the source told The Mail. It is reported that the King coincidentally offered Frogmore to Prince Andrew, where he may move after 20 years in the 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor.

'London is a better fit,' the source adds. 'The Sussexes have always wanted rooms at Buckingham Palace. They could have Andrew’s old rooms there, which are currently being vacated.' Here's what else we know about the secret royal homes. 

Buckingham Palace's Private Apartments – what you need to know

Located at the rear right of the palace, the private apartments run along the northwest flank of the building – and a small section faces the rear of Buckingham Palace Gardens. 

A floorplan designed by Screen Therapy shows the series of rooms that stretch from the Mall to the gardens – including the Queen’s Audience Room (located on the ground floor) that exhibits floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lawn. 

The Private Apartments make up at least 25 of the 775 rooms in the palace – however, while this is considered a 'small' percentage in terms of the entire building, it is likely to offer ample space for Harry, Meghan, and their two children Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. 

Images from inside the home are unsurprisingly sparse; however, there are some exceptions. This includes a photo of the Queen’s Audience Room (pictured below) that offers a glimpse into the private part of the palace. 

This room, designed by John Fowler, exhibits polished dark wood floors and white contrast moldings that create a contrast against the floor. There is a selection of ornate antique furnishings including a cream armchair and a gold-fringed mirror above the fireplace.

Alongside the communal spaces and rooms for staff, the private apartment has Monarch’s Suite, Consort’s Suite, and The Morning Room – where the late Queen and Prince Philip reportedly had breakfast when they stayed in Buckingham Palace. 

There are no official images of this space; however, a journalist for The Mirror shared a photo (seen here) following a period as an undercover footman who was employed by the palace in 2003. 

Where are the private apartments in Buckingham Palace?

The private living spaces are located at the rear right of the building – spanning from The Mall to the Queen’s Audience Room that overlooks Buckingham Palace's lawn. 

The rumors regarding Harry and Meghan are yet to be confirmed, but we'll keep you updated as we know more about their property portfolio – and the future of Buckingham Palace's most undisclosed areas. 

In a dramatic shake-up of the royal properties, the palace has revealed that Harry and Meghan have been requested to vacate their English home, Frogmore Cottage, as King Charles III begins his revaluation of the royal residences. 

With his ascension to the throne, the king became the landlord of several royal residences up and down the UK and, after deciding against moving to Buckingham Palace he is continuing to change up the royal rota – with Prince Andrew rumored to be the next resident of Frogmore, according to royal correspondents in England.  

As Harry and Meghan continue to sever ties with the UK after Harry’s controversial tell-all book, we take a look at the couples' remaining residences.

Harry and Meghan asked to leave Frogmore cottage  

Despite having stated that Frogmore cottage would remain their base for visits to family in the UK, the contentious couple has been asked to relinquish the keys to the property in a move that royal experts claim could be the final straw in breaking ties between the two families.

Having stepped down as serving royals in 2020, the couple has been living in various states across the US with the cottage loaned to Harry’s cousin Eugenie and her husband in time for their first child's arrival – so it is safe to say that they will not be rushing to move much furniture out of the home in the next few weeks despite having paid for the renovations themselves in full after stepping down from the royal front-line.

Having requested a Windsor suite before being ‘downgraded’ to Frogmore cottage, it is likely to be seen as another slight towards the couple and a final driver in the rift between father and son.

Harry and Meghan's property portfolio 

So where will the couple live now that Frogmore may be out of reach? Luckily for the pair and their two children, they have resided in several private luxury homes over the last three years that would leave even a royal jealous. 

The Cotswold farmhouse

Signed as a two-year rental, a quiet Cotswold farmhouse was the first property the couple signed on together just before their $45 million wedding in 2018. 

The Grade II-listed home is situated on the same 4,000-acre estate as the Beckham’s Cotswold estate in Great Tew. The three-bedroom cottage is complete with a lavish barn-conversion guest house that has been host to the couple's celebrity friends such as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, and George and Amal Clooney. The main home boasts a large dining room and outdoor heated patio – perfect for hosting, and three luxury bedrooms with the fourth transformed into a splendid dressing room and walk-in closet.

The couple had to leave their idyllic home in Oxfordshire after paparazzi located the property, Harry shared in the Netflix documentary. Given the home’s important role in the couple's early life together and the first months of their son’s Archies life, the move must not have been an easy one. Their departure from the home marked their last full-time residence within the UK.

Vancouver Island

Following their departure from the UK, Harry and Meghan Markle moved to Canada to Vancouver Island. Thought to afford the couple some privacy, the waterfront property was a part of the couple's plan to step back from the limelight and has been the center of controversy for the last year after it was revealed to be owned by a Russian Oligarch. 

Far grander than their comparatively modest English cottage, the main house (affectionately called Millie Fleurs) sported eight bathrooms, five bedrooms, and a smaller three-bedroom guest house. Other highlights are thought to be a double-height living room, pizza oven, and wine-tasting space. The spot became a space for the couple to raise Archie with gated security.

The five-bedroom home became more of an extended holiday spot for the couple after they were forced to leave by invasive paparazzi and fears surrounding security once again in 2020.

Harry and Meghan's California home

The LA rental became a hide-out for the couple in 2020 after leaving Canada and losing the security afforded to full-time working royals. The home, owned by actor Tyler Perry, was loaned to the couple alongside a security detail, Meghan revealed in the explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. The space ‘gave [the couple] breathing room to try and figure out what [they] were going to do’, Meghan Markel revealed.

Located in the gated Beverly Ridge Estates, the home was featured in the couple's Netflix documentary. Set over 24,500 square feet the home features high, double-height vaulted ceilings, marble plinth and archway features, and luxurious lighting ideas with perfect layering and crystal chandeliers. The star of the show is the roman bath-style bathroom, a grand take on spa bathroom trends. 

The home also boasts impressive views across Franklin Canyon Park, however, the couple installed tall privacy screens at the beginning of the pandemic to protect their son from paparazzi on the nearby hiking trail. While Meghan Markle formerly owned an LA house before meeting Harry, it is thought that the Hollywood glamor did not sit right with the prince, ushering the pair and their child along to their next, and as of present, final property.  

The Montecito estate

The Montecito estate has been the longest residence of the couple, after moving there in late 2020. The building is a ‘humble cottage’ in comparison to other properties in the area – all of which are among some of the world’s best homes, owned by celebrities along the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Ariana Grande, and Oprah Winfrey’s historic home. 

The home was seen throughout the Netflix documentary, with impressive glimpses into Meghan Markels calming neutral home office and personal glances into the birth of her second child, Lilibet – named after the late queen before her death. 

The impressive gardens surrounding the Montecito Estate cover 7.38 acres and offer superb garden landscaping ideas with abundant trees to encourage rewilding, and therapeutic flowers designed to act as an escape for the couple. 

It is believed that the family is considering selling their Montecito estate, however, over fears surrounding a rise in thefts in the star-studded area. It is not yet known if they have departed the property, or where they will be moving to next.  

FAQs

King Charles III is set to host his first Christmas – not only as the British monarch – but without his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This holiday will be the first in modern history without the Queen, who was known for spending the 25th in her beloved Sandringham home in Norfolk, eastern England. 

The royal residence has become synonymous with Christmas for many across the UK and worldwide, for a good reason. The Queen was known to have spent 32 Christmases in the country retreat and only broke tradition during the coronavirus pandemic when she celebrated at Windsor Castle. 

This year, BBC News reports that King Charles will return to Sandringham, along with his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, and their wider family. However, royal expert Jeremy Archer suggests that year will be more low-key, and the Prince and Princess of Wales may not stay in Sandringham for an extended time. 

Jeremy Archer predicts Prince William and Princess Catherine will likely spend Christmas at Sandringham but will then travel south to Berkshire (with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis of Wales) to spend New Year's with the Middletons. 

'It is going to be different, but Christmas at Sandringham works well for the family,' the expert shared with OK!. 'Unlike Windsor and Buckingham Palace, it's a sporting venue and fits in well with their traditional Boxing Day shoot,' he says. 

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond adds that the Prince and Princess may only call into Sandringham to say 'hello' on Christmas day – saying that they may want to 'do their own thing for at least part of the time.' Therefore, it's possible that they may only enjoy a festive lunch at the Norfolk estate before moving elsewhere.

'While I imagine there will be a gathering at Sandringham, whether it will be quite as extended as it used to be with the Queen and with quite as many people, I’m not sure,' Bond says. 

If the King follows Christmas traditions, he will join the family at a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning. Queen Elizabeth II was also known to gift her staff presents and a Christmas tree, so he will likely follow this ritual, too.

Beyond the home's regal interiors (and, we expect, luxe Christmas decorations), its grounds are equally as impressive. King Charles's private garden at the Sandringham Estate is among the most beautiful in the country – created by architect and garden designer Geoffrey Jelicoe in 1947 for King George VI. 

The formal enclosed areas of the garden showcase a quintessential 'cottage garden' aesthetic, which we expect to look beautiful when covered in snow.

Sandringham is not a full-time royal residence, meaning it is open to the public for much of the year. It is, however, closed for the holidays, when the family comes together, just as they will do this weekend. You can plan your visit to Sandringham online. 

Sandringham, PE35 6EN, England.

Ever since Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to England in 1840 the British royal family has heralded the festive season with gorgeous decorative displays – and this year is no different. 

All of the royal residences across the country are decorated for Christmas each year, but Windsor Castle is arguably the most impressive with several Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and intricate gold decorations.

It is hardly surprising that Windsor puts on such a grand show, however, given that the castle has hosted Monarchs for the holiday since the 12th century. It was King Edward VII that broke with tradition to spend Christmases at Sandringham – something that the late Queen Elizabeth II and her son, King Charles II, continued.

Here, we take a look at some of the finest decorations on display for guests at the castle.

As with any home, Christmas tree ideas are the center of the decorative focus at Windsor Castle however no tree entirely stands up to the immense 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree erected in St. Georges Hall each year. 

The castle's trees are grown on the castle grounds in Windsor Park before one is selected and hauled into the castle by a team of nine staff members to take pride of place in the Castle over the holidays and adorned with thousands of ornaments – a process that takes around 13 hours and two cranes to complete. 

For a castle of its size, one tree is obviously not enough for Windsor. However, the rest (much to the staff's relief, we imagine) are much smaller. The Crimson Drawing room, for example, has a slightly smaller tree although it is no less impressive. 

The tree is decorated ornately, matching the resplendent room it is found in, with red and gold baubles. It truly is a masterclass in how to decorate a Christmas tree.

In previous years, the castle has not stopped at traditional Christmas decor ideas and we doubt that this year will be any different. 

Last year, for example, the state dining room was dressed formally with the Grand Service, a collection of spectacular silver-gilt dining service that consists of over 4,000 pieces in total. The impressive tableware is still used today for state banquets. 

The state dining room was largely destroyed in 1992 after large swathes of the castle were engulfed in a fire. After painstaking restoration work, however, the dining room was reinstated to its past grandeur with gold paneled walls and ceilings, floor-length ruby red curtains, and matching carpets. 

As well as the grand central table, gold-trimmed mahogany tables line the back wall too, with the opposite wall dominated by an ornate marble fireplace and a portrait of Queen Victoria. 

For a family so invested in their gardens, with Buckingham palace gardens and King Charles' private garden at the Sandringham Estate being amongst the finest in the country, it is unsurprising that so much fresh foliage and greenery is introduced into the castle at Christmas. 

Alongside the living Christmas trees, fresh wreaths and garlands are used both inside the castle in hallways, grand stairways, and halls and outside on gates. Handcrafted by castle staff and gardeners, the garlands are yet another wonderfully personal touch to Windsor's decor. 

There is barely a spot in the castle that is not adorned with Christmas spirit, with Christmas hallways decorations taking on a new meaning in the expansive hallways and passageways of the castle. 

In the Queen's Gallery, for example, smaller Christmas trees line the walkways and are decorated to complement the rare silver furniture on display. 

Understated but sure to make an impression is a single tree found in the Inner Hall of Windsor, a space designed by King George IV in the 1820s to receive official guests. 

The hall is now the first room encountered by public visitors on their tour of the castle, with the warmly lit Christmas tree bouncing festive light around the grandly sculpted stone hall with its classical columns and vaulted ceiling ideas.

Is Windsor castle decorated at Christmas?

Windsor Castle is decorated every Christmas with the State Apartments adorned in beautiful decorations and several Christmas trees, many of which tower in height. Christmas is a special tradition in the royal household, with Prince Albert introducing the Christmas tree into mainstream English Christmas celebrations in 1840. 

Is Windsor Castle open over Christmas?

Windsor Castle is open throughout the year including at Christmas, with the astounding Christmas decorations viewable from the 24th November through to January 2nd. The castle closes on Christmas day, however, to observe the holiday. 

With the long-awaited return of The Crown hitting our screens this week, many are curious as to how the cast and crew were able to film in so many important, and iconic, locations. 

Given that many of the royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and Windsor castle are working castles, the showrunners relied on some of the best location scouts to find brilliant backdrops for the unfolding drama and rising tensions of season five. 

Here, we take a look at some of the most iconic The Crown filming locations, and what real-life locations they were made to portray. 

Ardverikie Estate – a stand-in for Balmoral

Not exclusive to season five, Ardverikie Estate has been a stand-in for Balmoral castle throughout The Crown series. The traditional Highland sporting castle is first spotted in season five as Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) arrives with her entourage to the sound of bagpipes.

Owned by the same family for over 150 years, the 19th-century estate extends over 38,000 acres – much smaller than its beginnings and is now managed by the family as a center for conservation. 

It is the estates exterior that makes it an iconic dwelling in the Scottish Highlands, situated in Kinloch Laggan, Inverness-shire, the baronial house is most famous for its 'pepper pot' turrets. The surrounding grounds are dominated by idyllic woodland and lush forest, with a backdrop of breathtaking mountains. 

Although not a royal home itself, the estate has played host to a series of royals throughout its history. Most notable being Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who spent three weeks at the state in the summer of 1847 to hunt.

The estate is now open to the public to walk the grounds and stay in one of several holiday cottages on the premises. 

Lancaster House – a twin for Buckingham Palace

It would not be a series about the British Royal family without Buckingham Palace, but what can you do when the palace is busy? Use its smaller twin of course. Lancaster House was a vital The Crown filming location this season, with the lavish 1820s townhouse used for several interior shots. 

One of the world's best homes, the mansion is one of the last surviving examples of extravagant palaces built in the 19th century and, as such, is one of the last remnants of the lavish high society that dominated the era. 

The interior of the property makes it an ideal filming location, with original neo-classical style columns, geometric features, and patterns adorning the architecture. Other finishes, such as oblique Baroque, rococo, and 19th-century additions maintain the air of grandeur needed for a royal party house. 

The property is now used primarily by the UK government's Foreign and Commonwealth office – when it is not dressed to look like the palace, of course. 

Knebworth House – the second stand-in for Balmoral

Despite its castle-like appearance, Knebworth house is an English country home in Hertfordshire. The Grade II listed building became another interior double for Balmoral during the shooting of The Crown season five – despite being a nine-hour drive away from the original castle. 

The home has once again belonged to the same family since 1490, who have drastically altered the home both in and out over the centuries. Originally a red-brick Late Gothic manor house, later ancestors remodeled the home into a Tudor Gothic castle in the late 1800s – many of these changes are what we see today. 

The romantic exterior may appear domineering, with countless turrets, domes, and gargoyles creating a mean-looking silhouette. Behind the Victorian-added facade, however, are the remains of the much simpler Tudor home.

The interior of the property has also seen extensive remodels, the most notable being the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens. The home has barely a plain ceiling idea in sight, with many of the rooms adorned with intricate plasterwork and hand-painted motifs, while the walls are either covered in expensive fabric hangings, original portraiture, or ornate wallpapers and paneling. It is perhaps of little wonder that the house can stand in so easily for a Royal castle. 

The house has immense garden ideas too, spanning 28 acres with a mixture of formal gardens, mazes, and wildlife garden ideas and trails. 

Some parts of the garden date back to the 17th century, while the present layout is once again the work of the Edwardian period. Sir Edwin Lutyens saw to the simplification of the ornate beds and lawns, for example, while also ensuring the addition of avenues of pollarded lime trees and the planting of a herb garden. 

The home is now owned by Henry Lytton-Cobbold who, after a career in the film industry, lets the property to produces such as Netflix to use as backdrops 

Waddesdon Manor – a less obvious dupe for Paris' The Ritz 

It may be strange to think of using such a splendid manor for a Parisian hotel, but the home's magnificent French Renaissance style lends itself perfectly to a recreation of the esteemed Ritz Hotel.

With the Ritz featuring as a key location in episode three of The Crown season five, both the exterior and interior of the property were used for the new season. 

The manor was built over six years, beginning in 1877, by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild after he purchased a plot of barren agricultural land in 1874. The result is a stunning property surrounded by mature trees and wilderness created from what started as nothing. 

The exterior of the house was designed in the style of the French Renaissance Châteaux of the Lore Valley by French architect Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur. Once complete, the home was celebrated with several house parties of a grand scale. The manors interiors make an obvious choice for replicating the Ritz too, defined by Neo-classical architecture and offering a masterclass in decorating with art.

The estate was by no means a family home, but the property was used to house over 100 refugee children during World War II – the first and only time children resided at the house. 

Burghley House – Windsor Castles double

Season five of The Crown also depicts the destructive Windsor Castle fire of 1992. In the blaze, 115 rooms were completely destroyed, including nine staterooms all at a time when the royal family was facing crisis after crisis. 

The Tudor mansion, built by Queen Elizabeth Is Lord High Treasurer between 1555 and 1557, became an obvious choice for replicating the famous and beloved castle and has been seen throughout the series. 

No room was ever destroyed for the show, however, with set designers and prop makers working tirelessly to recreate Burghley House's Great Hall piece by piece on set to be burned for the cameras. From the grand Tudor fireplace ideas to the double hammer-beam ceiling, the showrunners left not one feature out of the soon-to-be-destroyed set. 

Dodi’s Paradise Cove Home – Dianna's Malibu escape

One of the few The Crown filming locations that used the original setting, Dodi Al Fayed's Malibu home was reopened to the cast and crew as the backdrop for Princess Diana's illicit love interest. 

The California 'dream home' is likely to feature more often in the show, with the sunny escape rumored to be the center of Diana's plans for escaping the palace and England as her marriage very publically fell apart. 

The Tuscan-style villa is a far cry from the very traditional settings of the British aristocracy and marks a direct shift in the show's focus and the crisis the Royal Family faces between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Boasting 7,500 square feet, the home is situated on a wonderfully isolated five acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and had been owned by Julie Andrews before Fayed's purchase.

The home has one reception room and several bedrooms on the ground floor, as well as an open-plan kitchen that opens up to an outdoor dining terrace and pool area. The modern living room with limestone fireplace seems the foil of the traditional marble of English palaces.

The master quite could have been seen as equally extravagant, however, with raw silk wall coverings and a high, wrought iron four-poster bed hung with pure cotton.

Where were Buckingham palace scenes filmed in The Crown?

Many of the Buckingham Palace scenes in The Crown were not filmed at the palace at all but in other royal properties or manors around the UK. While Lancaster House was used for much of the filming of season five, other seasons have used locations such as Wilton House is Salisbury or Goldsmith's Hall in London. 

In their move from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage, it is reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton have downsized, according to a royal insider, who has revealed that the couple's new four-bedroom home is one room smaller than their previous suites. 

Adelaide Cottage is one of many royal residences used by senior royals who wish to take a step away from the public eye and maintain privacy in their personal lives. The move was completed earlier this fall before their three children started school, but it has been revealed that the home is perhaps not as large as they were used to. 

With the family set to make yet another move to Windsor Castle at some point in the next year, we take a look at the humble cottage that currently houses the heirs to the throne. 

While a splendid cottage with four bedroom ideas may sound like a luxury to anybody else, the smaller property means that the couple will likely have had to break with royal tradition – marking yet another change in the royal protocol as King Charles decided against Buckingham Palace for his new home earlier this year.

According to tradition, each royal family member has their own bedroom, with suites at Kensington Palace boasting two master suites for the Prince and Princess respectively. 

The aristocracy 'always have separate bedrooms,' Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Phillips's cousin and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II, once said. 'In England, the upper class always had separate bedrooms. You don't want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around.'

'It is lovely to be able to choose,' she had added. 

Unless two of their three children are sharing a room, it is likely that the couple will have to forgo this tradition and the tradition of maintaining a live-in nanny in their new Berkshire abode. 

4 things to know about Adelaide Cottage

As with any historic home, Adelaide cottage has its own long – and at times scandalous, past. We take a look.

1. Nearly 200 years old, the cottage is still a wondrous piece of architecture

The 19th century, grade II listed cottage is famously one of the most private of the royal houses, with very few pictures of the exterior of the cottage to be found and no cameras allowed inside of the home – with the exception of the blooming photographer Kate Middleton's, of course. 

Despite its 'humble' size, however, the cottage is not short of royal flare, with extensive renovations in 2015 reportedly maintaining a Graeco-Egyptian fireplace, gilded dolphin motifs on the bedroom ceiling ideas, and rope decorations from a 19th-century royal yacht. Erected in a picturesque style, the building has been described throughout history as 'chastely elegant', and originally contained spaces such as two public rooms, a retiring room, and a pages room. The wondrous architecture means the property can be found on the protected National Heritage list.

Such grand decorations are perhaps to be expected given the cottage's prime location on the grounds of Home Park on the Windsor Estate. Built in 1831 for William IV's wife, Queen Adelaide, the cottage is often described as an idyllic upscale 'grace and favor' home, given to close friends and family as a token of love and gratitude. 

The stucco façade, sculptural chimneys, and period fireplaces shall remain untouched in the protected home due to both the nature of the properties listing, and the previous uproar of the British taxpayers after the renovations at the neighboring Frogmore Cottage, owned by Prince Harry and Meghan.

Luckily for William and Kate, they will continue their ownership of apartment 1a at Kensington Palace when they commute to London for royal engagements. They also maintain their ownership of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate, a countryside escape that the young family has grown incredibly fond of.

2. The cottage has been home royal scandal

While the cottage is now seen as a splendid family home, its past is a little more sordid.

The royal family is infamous for some scandals they would rather forget, one of which being the unsavory affair between the divorced Captain Peter Wooldridge Townsend, a Royal Airforce officer, and the late Queen's sister, Princess Margaret. A relationship the royals attempted to keep under wraps for many years with Townsend residing in the cottage.

It was not until King Charles' marriage to the then-divorced Camilla Parker Bowles that divorcees were welcomed into the royal fold, making the princess's brief engagement one that cast a long shadow over the family for many years until Margaret was forced to end the relationship.

3. The architect is also responsible for Windsor Castle's most iconic features

Architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville was not only entrusted to design and oversee the picturesque cottage by King George IV, but also extensive renovations to the nearby Windsor castle. 

Wyatville added many of the castle's iconic features such as the towers, turrets, and crenelations that give the castle its distinctly gothic appearance – a far cry from the idyllic and quaint cottage, demonstrating the extraordinary architect's range. Wyatville is also the mastermind behind the Waterloo Chamber, a masterful celebration of the defeat of the French at the end of the Napoleonic wars in the Battle of Waterloo. 

The Waterloo Chamber is now one of the highlights of the Windsor Castle tour. 

4. Ever a family for sustainability, the cottage was formed from reclaimed materials

The modern royal family is famous for its efforts toward sustainability and it looks as if the lineage has not changed much in the last century. 

According to Jane Robert's book Royal Landscape: The Gardens and Parks of Windsor (now out of print), the cottage was constructed using old parts reclaimed from the original Royal Lodge that had been demolished in 1830. The veranda, french windows, roof tiles, and chimney are amongst the parts salvaged, Robert's claims, along with some of the lodge's original furniture. 

Has Adelaide Cottage been renovated?

Adelaide Cottage underwent a series of major renovations in 2015, the first since 1955, that brought the home up to modern standards and converted the property into a comfortable four-bedroom home with grand royal touches such as ceilings covered in gilded dolphins and a marble Graeco-Egyptian fireplace.

Who owns Frogmore Cottage in Windsor?

Frogmore Cottage is currently owned by the crown but is being leased by Prince Harry and Megan. The couple currently spend most of their time in the US with their two children, however, so the property is currently in use by Princes Eugenie and her husband.

After ascending to the throne on 8 September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles inherited more than a position. 

The 73-year-old monarch is now the leader of a multi-billion dollar real estate portfolio that includes property in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Romania. The entire collection consists of palaces, castles, cottages, and ancient ruins, some of which serve as royal residences for King Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort. 

While many of these properties are known as the world's best homes, it is important to note that some of these estates are not used as domestic spaces by the King. The majority of the land in this portfolio is, in fact, owned by the Crown Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Duchy of Cornwall, meaning they are held 'in right of the Crown' throughout King Charles' reign. 

Other homes are kept 'in trust' by the monarchy itself (for those who will succeed King Charles), and some are held by two foundations that the King had formally established. 

King Charles' property portfolio – the 10 most expensive estates

King Charles and Camilla currently reside in Clarence House in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, South West England. However, while these two homes are certainly beautiful, they are not among the ten most expensive properties owned by the Crown. 

An investigation by Forbes revealed Clarence House is worth an estimated $72 million, while Highgrove is now worth approximately $39 million. The King's holiday cottages in Romania are worth an estimated $1.1 million each. Here, we explore the ten most expensive estates in the portfolio. 

1. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, perhaps the most famous royal estate of all, is also the most expensive – with an estimated value of $4.9 billion, according to Forbes. 

A move to the British landmark would be in keeping with tradition; however, King Charles is expected to decide against moving into Buckingham Palace and remain in Clarence House when staying in London. 

The billion-dollar property has served as the official home of British monarchs since 1837 and continues to act as a place for the family to host dignitaries and other heads of state. It has a remarkable 775 rooms, consisting of 19 Staterooms, 52 bedrooms, and 78 bathrooms.

2. Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court may now be best associated with its eponymously named flower show, held annually by the RHS. However, this estate has seen its share of historical events over the centuries. 

The palace – which is worth an estimated $1.2 billion – was King Henry VIII's most-used residence, and he lived there with all six of his wives during his 38-year reign. The estate is found 12 miles southwest of central London, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames – so it is unsurprising that the palace welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  

Remnants of King Henry VIII's reign are still visible, such as his extensive art collection, are visible to visitors today. It is, however, one of only two palaces (out of the many owned by King Henry VIII) that have survived to this day. 

3. Tower of London

The Tower of London, worth approximately $1.1 billion, has a history that dates back to the late 11th century after it was built by William the Conqueror. Since then, it has become best associated as an execution site and is, most famously, the site of Anne Boleyn's death. 

Today, the castle is the home of Crown Jewels (worth an estimated $4 billion), including the coronation regalia and vestments worn by British monarchs. The site is also home to the 'Yeomen Warders; and their families, the Resident Governor, and a garrison of soldiers who patrol the site in uniform.

4. Windsor Castle

The final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, Windsor Castle, is worth approximately £743 million, making it the fifth most expensive property on the list.

Windsor is the largest inhabited castle in the world, following its completion in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, the same monarch who built the Tower of London. The impressive estate has been home to 40 monarchs, including the late Queen, who counted it as one of her favorite residences.

Today the castle is still used as a residence for the royal family, despite many rooms being open to the public. It is expected to be the future home of Willam and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales.

5. St James's Palace

Princess Anne's London home, St James's Palace, is worth an estimated $700 million, so what does that price tag include? 

Alongside its history (it was significantly the home of Elizabeth I during the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1558), the palace has an enviable postcode in the heart of Westminster in the British capital. The property overlooks Green Park and St. James's Park, two of the eight royal parks in the capital held by the Crown, and is conveniently close to the Mall and Buckingham Palace. 

St James's Palace has gained ever-growing recognition in recent decades, as it was where representatives from 14 nations met to establish the United Nations. However, most recently, it was the setting of the ceremony in which King Charles III was officially proclaimed Britain's new sovereign on September 9th, 2022.

6. Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle (also known as John O’ Gaunt’s Castle) is described as an 'ancient inheritance' that began 750 years ago in 1265. The estate, which is worth $674, has had a diverse history, having served as a Roman fort, a Medevial place of punishment, and a prison. It was, however, converted into a tourist attraction in 2011. 

The castle overlooks the northern town of Lancaster and the River Lune, where it has famously stood as a 'bastion against the marauding forces of the ancient Picts and Scots tribes' for centuries. 

7. Kensington Palace

The Prince and Princess of Wales's historic family home, Kensington Palace, has an estimated worth of $630 million. 

While William and Catherine are expected to move into Windsor Castle (and they have recently set roots in Adelaide Cottage in Berkshire), the couple and their family are best associated with the palace that houses Apartment 1A, their London base. 

King Charles III also lived in the palace in Chelsea, London, with Diana, Princess of Wales, during their marriage. Lady Diana continued to live in the residence until her death in 1997, and she is remembered by a statue in the gardens.

8. Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle is the only estate outside of England to make the top 10. Located in  Gwynedd, Wales, the (estimated) $289 million property has towered above the port town since King Edward I ordered its construction in 1283. 

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, which sits on the banks of the River River Seiont, was where Charles was given the title of the 'Prince of Wales' in 1969, but we expect it will only be a matter of time before he visits the country's 'most famous castle' as King. 

9. Banqueting House

Back in London, the aptly-named Banqueting House is the ninth most expensive structure – worth an estimated  $296 million. This 'architectural genre of banqueting house' was designed as an elaborate entertaining space in the Palace of Whitehall, where monarchs lived between 1530 to 1698. 

English architect Inigo Jones designed the house in 1619, and today, it is the only surviving part of Whitehall Palace, following a large fire in 1698.

10. Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace in Eltham in southeast London is the tenth most expensive property in King Charles' property portfolio, with an estimated price tag of $211 million. The estate marries quintessential Tudor architecture with Art Deco decorating ideas after it served as a millionaire's home in the 1930s.

Though the home is now owned by the Crown, it had a period owned by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, who were searching for a semi-rural property that was convenient for the capital. They took a 99-year lease from the Crown. The couple resided in the Eltham during most of the Second World War when they fitted out the basement as a comfortable bomb shelter. 

Since then, the Army Educational Corps and English Heritage (the most recent successor to the Ministry of Works) took over the home. Today, visitors can explore the restored 1930s-style home and learn more while learning more about Eltham's fascinating history. 

Everybody has certain quirks that set their mornings aside from the conventional, whether through a particular shower ritual or the unique way you take a coffee. For King Charles III, however, mornings begin in a way that is distinctly different from what you might expect. 

Every morning at 09:00 promptly, King Charles III is awoken by the sound of bagpipes – following a 179-year-old practice that began with Queen Victoria in 1843.

On the morning of October 24th, Pipe Major Paul Burns played for the first time at the Clarence House, the King's royal residence in London, but has played daily since his reign began last month.

He is the 17th piper to fulfil the duty and previously played for Queen Elizabeth before her death on September 8th, 2022.

Pipe Major Burns (videoed above) follows the monarch around the royal residences, including Windsor Castle and Highgrove House – depending on where the King is spending the night. Every morning, he ensures he is awoken by a daily performance that consists of two seven-minute sessions – separated by a minute in between to tune the Scottish instrument.

While the piper (who is an official member of the member of the Royal Household) acts as the King's alarm clock each morning, his jobs continue throughout the day. The BBC reports that he is also responsible for greeting people at official engagements before they meet the monarch. He also reportedly holds quarters at Buckingham Palace but travels to wherever the monarch is based before fulfilling his daily role.

Pipe Major Burns also gained global admiration last month after reciting the lament Sleep, Dearie, Sleep as the late Queen's coffin left Westminster Abbey at the end of her funeral service. The piper is the only non-royal permitted to wear Balmoral tartan, as seen in the footage.

Despite the daily performance, it is unknown how frequently the sounds of the traditional instrument are responsible for waking the King from his sleep. In the years before becoming King, the then-Prince of Wales suggested he liked to begin his royal duties before 09:00 in a number of newspaper profiles. It is, therefore, likely that King Charles is already awake to hear this part of his morning routine. 

The British Royal Family is famous for its love of gardening, so it is unsurprising that the Buckingham Palace gardens are some of the best in the world. 

Spanning a massive 42 acres, the Palace gardens in London are some of several expansive royal residence gardens cared for by a team of elite gardeners year-round. The garden fulfils many roles year-round, both as a private garden for the Royal Family and as a venue for royal events. The most famous of these were the late Queen's Garden Parties, which saw around 24,000 guests from around the world welcomed to the gardens each summer. 

Here, we take a look around the Buckingham Palace gardens for ourselves and discover some of the secrets of this immense space in the heart of London. 

Tour the Buckingham Palace Gardens

The starting point for many of the gardens tours, the herbaceous border spans a massive 511 feet. Far from standard low-maintenance garden border ideas, the garden borders feature a large proportion of the garden's plant varieties, including many humble cottage garden plants – a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.

Despite the garden's urban surroundings, some plants in and around the border are some of the only of their variety in England, with rare flora and fauna making the garden a unique biodiverse habitat.

The borders are backed by trees dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, and some were planted by the Queen and Prince Albert themselves.

One of the main features of the gardens is the three-and-a-half acre lake, complete with a waterfall and private island that provides a safe haven for the large array of wildlife that lives within the walls of the garden. 

Wildlife conservation is a cause close to the hearts of many of the Royal Family, with King Charles III fostering a close relationship with the Word Wildlife Fund and nurturing his own garden at his private home, Highgrove House. 

The Buckingham Palace gardens continue to provide aspirational wildlife garden ideas with a collection of five bee hives added to the property in 2008. 

Overlooking the lake and the rose beds, the bee hives help to produce around 160 jars of honey per year to cater for the royal kitchens. 

The rose garden ideas are by far some of the most impressive beds in the royal collection. The garden itself contains 25 beds, each with 60 rose bushes of different varieties. 

The striking beauty of the rose beds comes from the fact that no two adjacent beds are planted with roses of the same color. Flowers were often cut from these bushes to present to the late Queen in seasonal posies each Monday when she was staying at the Palace. 

Once an extensive grass meadow designed for grazing cows and sheep, the Buckingham Palace garden meadows are now rich with wildflower garden ideas, encouraging the wild growth of native flora and a natural habitat for visiting wildlife.

The meadow, found in the southwest of the gardens, is home to over 320 different types of wildflowers and grasses, making it one of the most diverse meadows in England, and features a gorgeous summer house for private escapes.

Besides the flowers, the Buckingham Palace gardens are also home to over 1,000 species of tree including 98 plane trees, 85 different species of oak, and 40 different types of Mulberry tree, making the garden the official site of the National Collection of Mulberries in 2000. 

The trees in the Palace gardens are also some of the oldest additions to the garden, with the first Buckingham Palace mulberry tree having been planted in the gardens in 1608 by James I, for example. Other special trees include the named Victoria and Albert plane trees planted by the couple during their reign.

Trees have been continuously planted by each generation of royals throughout the long history of the Royal Family.

The Buckingham Palace garden is also a shining example of sustainable garden ideas. 

With the family's growing recognition and support of sustainable practices, such as King Charles' refusal of Buckingham Palace as his home on the grounds of its impractical and unsustainable running costs, it is unsurprising that their gardens follow a similar philosophy. 

In 1991, a sustainable recycling center was established in the gardens at the Queen's request. The facility now recycles 99% of all green waste produced by London's royal gardens. 

The result of this sustainable approach means that the gardens are now also a haven for wildlife, playing host to more than 50 species of birds each year, 30 of which are permanent residents. On a smaller scale, the gardens are home to over 300 types of beetle too, hinting at the immense amount of biodiversity hosted at this single site. 

Can you walk through Buckingham Palace gardens?

The Buckingham Palace gardens usually open between July and October each year, allowing visitors to explore areas of the Palace and the Palace gardens and take tours around the property. Dates may vary depending on events taking place in the Palace and booking is required. 

In a break with tradition, King Charles III is not expected to make the move to Buckingham Palace, the seat of the British monarchy, despite his new role as Monarch. 

The decision was one of the first made by the king after his ascension, with the King and Queen consort instead choosing one of their smaller preferred royal residences as their primary dwelling. The decision is one of many steps taken by the king as he aims to continue the modernization of the monarchy in the 21st century, something that his mother, Elizabeth II began the process of as early as her coronation in 1952. 

A royal insider reported that the King did not believe the palace was 'fit for purpose in the modern world' with the monarch unable to see the palace as 'a viable future home.' 

The choice of Clarence House

While the new King and Queen Consort will divide their time between three properties, Clarence House has become a firm favorite and shall remain the primary residence for the couple as they assume their new duties. Having moved into the home in 2003, the four-story stucco-faced home has been a site of refuge for the couple for many years, hosting close family such as son Prince William before his marriage in 2011, and his brother Harry. 

Just a short walk away from the Palace, the Regency-era property itself was built in 1825 by James Nash for the Duke of Clarence, the property's namesake. Since its creation, the property has continued to pass down through the royal generations, once being the home of both Queen Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and Queen Elizabeth II's mother. Interestingly, the home became the center of the Red Crosses' efforts during World War II, making it a stand-out piece of British history all-round.

King Charles' preference for the home is not a new phenomenon, however, with his Mother and Father, Prince Phillip, also wishing to remain in the home following Elizabeth II's succession in the 1950s. At that point, however, the pressure to follow tradition and make the move to Buckingham was much stronger and so the royal couple moved shortly after the coronation. 

The new King will also spend time at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House throughout the week, however, it is suspected that the couple will often slip away to their private residence Highgrove House, a property bought by the King in 1980 which has since been the home to many of his and Camilla's gardening exploits. 

The future of Buckingham Palace 

Although the new king has little interest in moving into the palace anytime soon, it will remain a key emblem of the monarchy and will be used for affairs of the state wherever practicable. 

What's more, with the royals not planning on moving to the home anytime soon, it is believed that more of the palace will soon be opened up to the public, expanding the existing tours into areas previously unseen by general visitors. 

Buckingham Palace is also currently undergoing mass renovations, the largest and most detailed since World War II involving a complete rework of wiring, pipes, and heating systems to bring the 319-year-old Palace up to modern standards. The work is not due to be complete until 2027, with the renovations costing the British Taxpayer approximately $423 million. 

One thing is for sure, this is the start of a very new era of the monarchy. 

As with all other aspects of the late monarch's funeral, the flowers on Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin were chosen with precision and poignancy to convey special and touching messages about the Queen herself. 

Atop the oak wood coffin laid not only the Crown Jewels but a floral arrangement that had been specially selected by King Charles III, the Queen's eldest son, and blooms picked from the gardens of some of the Queen and her family’s most beloved royal residences; Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove House. 

Here, we look at each of the fall wreath flowers and their meanings to learn why this bouquet was perhaps one of the most meaningful touches at the state funeral. 

The Queen's funeral flowers  

The flowers were carefully selected to convey meaning through both their variety and their color, with shades of pink, burgundy, white, and gold chosen to reflect the Royal Standard. Garden roses, pelargoniums, hydrangeas, sedums, dahlias, and scabious were chosen to reflect the Royal Standard, the flag draped over the coffin, which represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom

Roses in pink and red adorned the wreath, with the colors carrying their own special meaning and message to the monarch. 

‘Pink roses at funerals relays gratefulness, while red roses convey deep respect and love,’ explains Rachel Crow, gardens editor for Homes & Gardens. ‘They seem particularly fitting for a ceremony celebrating the life of the beloved monarch. 

'Sedums represent peace and tranquillity too,’ Rachel continues, ‘a lovely choice for a Queen who has reigned for so long.’ 

Dahlias symbolize beauty, kindness, and lasting commitment, Rachel says. ‘This addition was not only due to their beauteous appeal. Queen Elizabeth II served her country for 70 years, the second longest reign of any monarch in history, so these flowers will have been carefully chosen to reflect upon her dutiful service to her country.’

‘Scabious, although a popular wedding flower, also found its place in the Queen's funeral wreath,’ Rachel adds. ‘Although it may seem out of place at first, these flowers represent love and peace.’ 

Myrtle was another traditional wedding flower to be included in the wreath, with the sprigs in the arrangement cut from a plant grown from a sprig of myrtle used in the Queen’s 1947 wedding bouquet, revealed the official Royal Family Twitter account.

UK gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh spoke to the BBC at the funeral explaining that, ‘[The Queen] was a keener gardener more than most people would realize.’ With the Queen having looked after her own private garden at the Sandringham estate, this special cutting, therefore, carries significant personal meaning to the late monarch.  

English Oak cuttings were also featured alongside the flowers, representing the strength of love and speaking to the long royal history of England. ‘Our history was in that wreath,’ Alan continued. ‘There were oak leaves in there. There are oak trees in Great Windsor Park that were growing when William the Conqueror invaded in 1066. Some of them are still there.’

Perhaps the most touching tribute, however, was the addition of a small handwritten card from her son, King Charles III. The note, written on his personal stationery simply read: “In loving and devoted memory, Charles R.”

One interesting flower that appears to be missing from the arrangement is the Lily of the Valley. 

‘Lily of the Valley was the Queen's favorite flower,’ Alan Titchmarch added. The smaller, humble flower symbolizes motherhood and humility. The blooms grow in abundance in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and were featured in the Queen's wedding bouquet in 1947 and her Coronation bouquet in 1953. These special flowers held other special associations for the Monarch for many years too, so it is expected that these flowers may have featured heavily in the family's private ceremony. 

The Queen has been laid to rest at Windsor Castle, her most beloved home, in St. Georges Chapel beside her late husband Prince Phillip, and her parents.  

After the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that the longest-reigning monarch in British history would be laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. After serving as the head of the royal family for 70 years, upon her death, her eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Charles, immediately ascended as King Charles III.

The Queen's funeral will take place on 19 September 2022, and the service will begin at 8 am (BST), when the doors of Westminster Abbey will open, culminating in a private service at 7.30 pm (BST) at the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

The history of St George’s Chapel

Construction of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, was begun in 1475 by Edward IV. It is one of the most remarkable late Gothic ecclesiastical buildings in Britain – perhaps in Europe. It certainly ranks with iconic national buildings such as King’s College, Cambridge, and Westminster Abbey. In St George’s Chapel and its rituals, the past and present meet on a daily basis, reinforcing a very British sense of history. 

The Chapel is an integral part of the great Windsor Castle complex, which dominates the skyline above the town of Windsor and is today an important part of our image of nation and monarchy. The Chapel is a “chapel” really only in name. It is more like a small cathedral in its elegance and the sumptuousness of its furnishings.

Windsor Castle has been important to the monarchy since the time of the conqueror, as William I hunted the district eagerly. Edward III was actually born in the castle and styled himself as “of Windsor”, helping to establish it as a favorite royal residence of the royal family. Charles II added extensive and stately apartments after the Restoration of the monarchy, although the character of the castle was later transformed back to a more romantic medieval form and outline under George IV (formerly the Prince Regent), with the architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville, in the 1820s, which included raising the famous round tower by 30ft.

Where is St George’s Chapel?

St George’s Chapel is located on the ground of Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's many beloved homes, in Berkshire.

The castle is considered to have some of the finest examples of defensive, domestic, and religious architecture through the centuries, and the huge 15th-century St George’s Chapel, the castle’s place of worship, is considered a highlight of English Perpendicular Gothic design. It is also the burial place of many past kings, including amongst many others Henry VIII and Charles I.

The castle is by all definitions a working palace, with even St George’s Chapel being used for daily services.

Who is in the royal vault at St George's Chapel?

St George’s Chapel gradually became, in effect, a great royal mausoleum. It houses the tombs of 10 monarchs: King Edward IV and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville; King Henry VI; King Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour; King Charles I; King George III; King George IV; King William IV; King Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra of Denmark; King George V and his wife, Mary of Teck; and King George VI. 

The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret are also buried here and the Queen will be buried alongside them. She will later be joined by her late husband Prince Philip, whose body will be removed from the Royal Vault to be laid next to Her Majesty.

St. George’s Chapel has also, in the past, been a preferred site for royal family celebrations – including many weddings and christenings.

Can the public visit St George’s Chapel?

St George’s Chapel is open to the public, however, Windsor Castle is a working palace and may be subject to full or partial closure. 

Visitors are reminded that St George's Chapel is a place of worship.  At least three services take place in the chapel every day, and worshippers are welcome to attend freely. On Sunday the Chapel is closed to visitors – all are welcome to attend services.

Clarence House is set to remain the official London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, even after the £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed.

Although Buckingham Palace will continue to serve as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy and the setting for major state occasions, royal accounts have confirmed that the King and Queen have decided to keep Clarence House as their permanent London home.

The decision is expected to allow greater public access to Buckingham Palace and reflects the couple's long-standing attachment to Clarence House, where they have lived together since their marriage in 2005. It is also understood that, now both in their late seventies, neither wished to undertake the upheaval of moving themselves and their staff into Buckingham Palace.

Standing beside St James's Palace in Westminster, Clarence House is one of the capital's most significant royal residences and one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London still serving as both a family home and a historic property.

Who Lived in Clarence House?

While Queen Elizabeth II was alive, the then Prince and Duchess lived in Clarence House when in London, which stands beside St James’s Palace in Westminster and was the home of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.

The Queen Mother lived there from 1953 until her death in 2002. Charles then inherited the central London residence and, while it has undergone renovations, he has kept many of the rooms and the furniture just as they were when his grandmother lived there.

Did Queen Elizabeth II live in Clarence House?

It was the London home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002 and was also the home of The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947.

When first in residence, King Charles III carried out extensive renovations before moving into Clarence House on 4 August 2003.

Clarence House also provides office accommodation for The Prince of Wales's Household, who support the reigning monarch in their official engagements and liaise with over 350 organizations with whose work they are involved, according to Royal UK.

Who owns Clarence House?

Clarence House, one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London, is an official residence owned by The Crown Estate.

According to The Crown Estate website: 'The Crown Estate belongs to the reigning monarch 'in right of The Crown', that is, it is owned by the monarch for the duration of their reign, by virtue of their accession to the throne.' Clarence House is not a private property of the monarch, which means it cannot be sold by the monarch, nor do revenues from it belong to the reigning monarch.

The Government also does not own The Crown Estate. It is managed by an independent organization – established by statute – headed by The Crown Estate Commissioners, and the surplus revenue from the estate is paid each year to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation's wealth and finances.

Is Clarence House open to the public?

Part of Clarence House is open to the public during the month of August, and visitors can be shown around five rooms on the ground floor. The décor is grand yet comforting, decorated with antique rugs and impressive chandeliers.

There are also personal photographs on display, including wedding photos and pictures of King Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, when they were children. The former price also displays some of his own watercolor paintings.

While in residence, Charles would often host official visitors at Clarence House, most commonly in the formal living room, which has large, grand lamps, historic family paintings, and a light-blue-and-gold theme. The morning room boasts a large open fire, historic artwork, and antique furniture.

A keen gardener and environmentalist, King Charles III personally designed a formal area of the grounds in 2004 in honor of The Queen Mother, and the grounds have been carefully planned and tended.

The planting was laid out by members of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts. Clarence House also provides offices for the Prince of Wales's household and is used by Charles and Camilla for receptions, official entertaining, and to host official visitors to the UK.

You don't need to travel to London to learn more about this historic home. You can do so through its official guide (available on Amazon).

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to move into the late Her Majesty The Queen's Windsor Castle home, taking on new roles with their change in status and seniority after the recent death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

It was a bestowment we knew was coming: On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, Prince William and Kate Middleton changed their social media bios from 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall' to 'The Prince and Princess of Wales', inferring that a transfer of titles from Charles to William had already begun to take place.

In a recent television address to the nation, King Charles III also confirmed that his son 'will undertake the responsibilities of the Duchy of Cornwall.' The Duchy of Cornwall is a working 150,000-acre estate in England complete with its own organic food company – and a multimillion-dollar income. The revenue from the Duchy pays for much of the private expenses of the royal family, including wardrobes and extra security.

Where is Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. Unsurprisingly, Windsor Castle is one of the world's best homes and is surrounded by magnificent gardens and parklands, much of which can be accessed by the public.

What is the history of Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It was built in the 11th Century by William the Conqueror and took 16 years to complete. Since the reign of Henry I (1100–1135), it has been home to 40 monarchs, including our late HM Queen Elizabeth II, who counted it among one of her favorite royal residences.

Whilst the castle was originally meant to serve as a defensive structure, its prime location next to a hunting ground attracted King Henry I, who began using it as a residence, and it has been lived in by every monarch since then. 

By modern times the castle had become so inextricably linked with the royal family that when during the First World War George V decided to change the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (acquired when Victoria married the German prince Albert) to something more British, the name he chose was Windsor.

Over its lengthy history, the Castle has undergone extensive renovations, including restoration work after a fire broke out in 1992, mostly paid for using the proceeds made by opening the castle and Buckingham Palace up to the public. The areas that were most badly damaged, such as St George’s Hall, were redesigned in a modern gothic style, while the other parts were restored to the condition in which George IV had left them.

Windsor Castle occupies 13 acres and hosts over a million visitors a year. It’s also the resting place of many deceased monarchs and royal family members, including Henry VIII, his third and favorite wife Jane Seymour, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother, who passed away in 2002.

Who lives in Windsor Castle now?

Today the castle is still used as a residence for the royal family, and it will be the future home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. HM Queen Elizabeth II spent many of her private weekends there – she is believed to have preferred it to Buckingham Palace – and chose to reside here officially over the Easter period. 

The castle is by all definitions a working palace, with even St George’s Chapel being used for daily services. Windsor also plays host to important guests, which can include political leaders as well as heads of Commonwealth nations

Will the Prince and Princess of Wales live in Windsor Castle?

It is believed that the Prince and Princess of Wales will delay moving into Windsor Castle in order to avoid more upheaval for their children after moving house just a week ago, according to royal sources.

The royal couple had hoped to bring a semblance of normality to their three children’s lives by living in the four-bedroomed Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate, and carrying out daily school runs to Lambrook School, an independent preparatory school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be highly aware their youngsters have experienced a house move, starting a new school, and the death of their ‘Gan-Gan’ in only a matter of a week.

As anglophiles around the world mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, you may be left wondering where does His Majesty The King and the rest of the royal family actually live? 

Unsurprisingly, their homes are some of the world's best homes, and many members of the firm have more than one palatial residence that they call home. 

11 royal homes – where do the Royal family live?

From lesser-known private houses to the most famous of Crown-owned castles, H&G takes a look at the top Royal residences around the UK, from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral, to Frogmore and Kensington Palace.

1. Buckingham Palace, London

Formally the home of Queen Elizabeth II during her reign, King Charles III and his Queen Consort will reside in private quarters at the famous 775-room Buckingham Palace in London. 

In the heart of the capital, Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the British sovereign since 1837, and it the most notable of all the royal residences. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to settle in the 775-room palace. She introduced a large room which was, at the time of construction in 1853-5, the largest room in London.

The impressive 40-acre garden sets the scene for many summer garden parties and the palace itself is home to the private offices and apartments for other working royals.

2. Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire

Balmoral Castle was the Scottish home of the Queen Elizabeth II, and it is in this very home that she passed away on 8 September 2022. The private residence, originally purchased by Queen Victoria, reportedly sits on 50,000 acres with 150 total buildings.

The majestic architecture is typical of the Scottish Baronial period. Before her death, it was used as the private residence of the Queen and her family.

The home largely remains unchanged since the home was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852. The castle sits on the 20,000-hectacre Balmoral estate in Royal Deeside.

3. Sandringham House, Norfolk 

The beautiful Sandringham House in Norfolk is the much-loved country retreat of the monarch. It has been the private home of British monarchs since 1862 and in that time it has seen the lives, and indeed deaths of many a royal family. 

At Christmastime, the Queen, and other members of the royal family famously headed to Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which Elizabeth inherited from her father, George VI. Locals can often see the family making their way to church on Christmas morning. It remains to be seen if this tradition will be carried out now she has passed.

4. Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. This spectacular home has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.

The castle was established by William the Conqueror who began building at Windsor around 1070. It took 16 years to complete. 

The Queen spent most of her private weekends at Windsor Castle and would take up official residence for a month in the spring for Easter Court, and for a week each June, when she attended Royal Ascot and the service of the Order of the Garter. We expect the King to do the same. 

5. Clarence House, London

Clarence House, which stands beside St James's Palace, was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, and his wife Adelaide. Before HM The King's accession, Clarence House was the official London residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (titles now bestowed on the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), and was the location for many state visits.

The arrangement of the rooms remain recognizably as they were in Queen Elizabeth's time, with much of Her Majesty's collection of works of art and furniture in their former positions. The stucco-fronted abode was formerly the London home of the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. 

6. St James’s Palace, London

Built by Henry VIII in Westminster between 1531 and 1536, St. James's Palace has been the setting for some of the most important events in Royal history, having been a residence of Kings and Queens for over 300 years until the reign of Queen Victoria. 

The Chapel Royal saw the marriages of George III and Queen Charlotte; Victoria and Albert; and George V and Queen Mary. The last sovereign to live in the Palace was William IV until his death in 1837. 

Family occasions have also been held at t James's Palace over the years, most recently the christening of Prince George in 2013.

7. Kensington Palace, London

The glorious Kensington Palace was bought in its former incarnation as Nottingham House by William III in 1689. The Jacobean mansion was later extended and improved by Sir Christopher Wren. Royal residents have occupied the palace since King William III and his wife Queen Mary II.

Today, Kensington Palace Apartment 1A is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall (soon to be the Prince and Princess of Wales) and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The State Rooms are open to the public and managed by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, a non-profit organization that does not receive public funds.

8. Frogmore Cottage, Windsor 

Not to be confused with Frogmore House, Frogmore Cottage is an exceptional Grade II listed royal retreat, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was originally constructed between 1680 and 1684 and was a great favorite of the royals, especially Queen Victoria who admired the peace and tranquillity. For almost 20 years, Frogmore was the home of Queen Victoria's mother, The Duchess of Kent.

Today, the house is still owned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who used £2.4m of taxpayer money to renovate the property, before paying it back in full in early 2020 when they moved to California.

9. Highgrove House, Gloucestershire

Highgrove House, the picturesque property in the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside, was the family residence of the King and Queen Consort before their imminent move to Buckingham Palace. 

The royal couple call Highgrove House their second home. The King has owned this house since 1980, and he previously spent weekends there with his first wife, the late Princess Diana, and their children, Princes William and Harry. 

The King indulges his love for gardening, and ensures his concern for the environment is apparent in the management of the property by using energy-saving solar garden lighting and energy-efficient bulbs, as as composting any kitchen waste.

As it is a private residence, Highgrove House itself is closed to the public. However, its extensive Royal Gardens are open for tours, including garden tours, champagne and afternoon tea.

10. Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, was the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland.

The magnificent home has had an eventful history with members of royalty both living and staying intermittently. Interestingly, the palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots for most of her life.

Today, the Palace is a close focus for national celebrations and events in Scotland, most notably The Queen's ‘Holyrood Week’, which usually runs from the end of June to the beginning of July. Each year, The Queen has been known to entertain around 8,000 guests from all walks of Scottish life during Holyrood week.

11. Osborne House, Isle of Wight

While Osborne House is no longer occupied by the Royal family, this glorious seaside home, located in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, was once Queen Victoria's family home. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat. 

It is noted that Prince Albert designed the house himself in 1847, alongside architect and builder Thomas Cubitt, in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.  Here, the royal couple  lived with their nine children overlooking the Solent and their private beach.

Known as Swiss Cottage, the house is open to the public for viewings.

It’s easy to feel inspired by the royal gardens, but no space is quite so famous as Buckingham Palace’s. Queen Elizabeth II’s central London residence is one of the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom, and its exteriors are no exception. But how can you bring a sense of this regent space into your own garden ideas? Royal garden expert Manoj Malde has the solution. 

In an interview with H&G, Manoj revealed that you can define the Palace’s garden with one overriding feature – trees. And amongst the most iconic of these trees is the Mulberry tree. 

The expert behind the new TV series, Secrets of the Royal Gardens, explains how you can mirror the Palace’s aura in your garden – with help from the iconic Mulberry.  

Using a Mulberry tree to bring Buckingham Palace into your garden

‘Trees [have] shaped the landscape of the Royal Gardens; every garden should have a tree – if not a few,’ Manoj says. ‘They are abundant at Buckingham Palace. There are 98 Plane Trees, 85 different species of Oak, and 40 types of Mulberry.’ 

While there may be more Plane Trees on Buckingham Palace’s grounds, the expert suggests that the Mulberry is more suited for a domestic garden. 

How to take care of a Mulberry tree

Mulberry trees can grow up to 10 meters tall, so they may not be one of the best trees for small gardens. However, if you have a sizeable enough space, you can make this statement work. 

‘They need a sunny position, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil,’ Manoj says. ‘Make sure the tree is staked when first planted to prevent wind rock. Once established, the stake can be removed.’ The landscaper adds that you should keep a newly planted tree well-watered, as this will encourage its roots to establish into the ground. 

In the springtime, Manoj adds that you should give the tree a ‘generous helping of mulch’ – to promote healthier growth. ‘They provide structure in the garden, habitat for wildlife and are good for the environment and for capturing pollution,’ the designer says.

This royal garden landscaping idea will elevate your exteriors just in time for the brighter seasons ahead. However, Manoj Malde’s tips don’t end there. UK-based readers can discover more inspiration via Secrets of the Royal Gardens on More4 on Wednesdays at 9 pm (GMT). 

The former townhouse of Jackie O’s sister Lee Radziwill is currently on the market for £8.75 million ($11.57 million). The Georgian estate, which is tucked in a quiet enclave behind Buckingham Palace, was frequented by President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis when they visited London in the 1960s. 

Lee Radziwill was an American socialite, successful PR executive, and interior designer who is remembered as an icon of the twentieth century. She lived in the townhouse with aristocrat Prince Stanislaw who was a scion of the Polish-Lithuanian princely House of Radziwill. 

The home, which was decorated by Italian decorator and set designer Renzo Mongiardino is one of the most beautiful in London – and one of the world’s best homes. Here, we take a tour. 

While this 5,613-square-foot property now differs from Mongiardino’s eclectic canvas, the home remains a trove of modern decorating ideas. The most contemporary of these are exhibited in the neutral living space that combines minimalist tones with a colorful library wall that brings a sense of vibrancy to the room. 

This sleek aesthetic flows into the open-plan dining space that reshapes white kitchen ideas through its invisible appliances and glass French doors that drench the room with natural daylight. 

Beyond the wooden-glass staircase, the home has two reception rooms and a private terrace. The next floor is exclusively dedicated to the principal suite – one of seven bedrooms in the home. 

Perhaps, the pièce de résistance of the property, however, is the secret decked roof terrace that is accessed through a glass sliding roof panel.

The terrace overlooks the preeminent Belgravia neighborhood, while the boutiques and restaurants of Mayfair are only moments away.  

‘This property is not only grand and historic but conveniently located close to the green open spaces of St. James’s and Green Park,’ says Harry Laflin, Manager of letting agents, Dexters Westminster. ‘On the doorstep of Mayfair, and close to Victoria, it would make a glamorous family home.’

This highly fashionable location is, of course, only fitting for one of the most stylish figures of the sixties. Her home is currently listed with Dexters Westminster for £8,750,000.  

From castles and palaces to country manors, the UK has plenty of famous homes that people love to visit and photograph. But which are the most popular stately homes in Britain?

To find out Britain’s best-loved homes, comparethemarket.com analysed Instagram hashtag data to reveal which buildings were photographed the most.

See:These are the most popular interior design trends in the UK

Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, commented: 'Great Britain is home to some of the world’s most stunning stately homes and castles, and a visit to one of these beautiful, historic homes makes for a great day out.

'With lockdown easing here in the UK and guidelines on travelling abroad changing regularly, more people are opting for days out and ‘staycations’. Walking around the grounds of a stately manor is a great way to get outside and explore somewhere new, all while being able to distance yourself from big crowds. Just remember to check whether you need to book before you turn up, so you aren’t disappointed.

'There’s so much history to delve into when visiting a castle or stately home, with centuries of royal figures having lived in these buildings. Our research shows that people are appreciating the beauty of these homes, as well as the stories behind them, with thousands of people taking to Instagram to share their best pictures from their visits.'

1. BUCKINGHAM PALACE

As the official London residence of the Queen, the palace is possibly the most famous home in the UK, attracting millions of visitors every year. Built: 1703.

2. TOWER OF LONDON

Famous for hosting notable prisoners such as Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Guy Fawkes, the Princes in the Tower, and even the Kray twins. Built: 1078

3. KENSINGTON PALACE

As a royal residence, the palace has been home to many well-known royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, who live there currently. Built: 1605

See: The most popular interiors on Homes & Gardens Instagram

4. WINDSOR CASTLE

The castle served as a refuge for the royal family during WWII when much of London was targeted in bombing campaigns. Today, it is often used by Elizabeth II as a weekend home. Built: 1070

5. HAMPTON COURT PALACE

First serving as a home for Henry VIII, it is now known for its gardens and grounds, which feature a maze as well as being home to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Built: 1515

6. BLENHEIM PALACE

This palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, is best known for being the birthplace and home of former Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Built: 1705

See:The 10 best National Trust gardens for a picture-perfect day trip

7. WARWICK CASTLE

Originally built as a wooden fort by William the Conqueror, the castle was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. Built: 1068

8. CHATSWORTH HOUSE

The stately home in Bakewell, Derbyshire, has featured in a number of films and TV shows, including Pride & Prejudice, The Crown, and Peaky Blinders. Built: 1687

9. ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT

The castle sits on a tidal island off the coast of Cornwall called Mount's Bay, which is cut off from the mainland during high tide. Built: 12th century.

See:This is the UK's most Instagrammed National Trust house

10. LEEDS CASTLE

The castle served as a home for Catherine of Aragon, before acting as a prison and an arsenal during the English Civil War. Built: 1119

This year we've spent more time in our gardens than ever before. If you’re looking to invest in renovating your outdoor space, what better place to seek inspiration than the best National Trust gardens?

Not only do National Trust gardens provide a scenic (and socially distanced) day out, their gorgeous flower gardens, manicured lawns and quaint water features also provide the perfect inspiration for anyone looking to spruce up their own outdoor area.

See:5 simple ways to maximise your garden space

In the 125 years since its creation, the National Trust has cemented itself as the crème de la crème of historic buildings, beautiful landscaped gardens and gorgeous countryside. It now boasts more than 5.6 million members who enjoy visiting over 500 historic properties and 610,000 acres of land.

SEE THE 10 BEST NATIONAL TRUST GARDENS BELOW:

National Trust gardens offer lots of ideas for any gardening project or renovation. By looking at online reviews (using a combination of Google and Instagram data), Rated People has uncovered the most popular National Trust gardens in Britain.

1.TATTON PARK, CHESHIRE

Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire has something to offer National Trust fans of all ages and group types. The stunning 50-acre gardens are home to 19 different areas, including a Japanese garden, pleasure grounds, glasshouses, a walled kitchen garden and a maze.

If that wasn’t enough, visitors can also enjoy seeing the animals in the 40-acre working farm and explore the impressive 1,000-acres of deer park and woodland; perfect for walking, cycling, picnicking or simply soaking up the incredible landscapes.

2. CORFE CASTLE, DORSET

Corfe Castle is both the name of an ancient castle in Dorset, and also the village that it perches 55 metres above. Both are picturesque and well worth a visit. Thought to date back 1,000 years, the castle has seen lots of battle damage throughout its history, leaving it a fascinating open-air ruin to explore. Not only can visitors enjoy the breathtaking views from around the castle, but also the pretty green grounds at its base.

See:The top 5 features that we all want in our dream garden

3. STOURHEAD LANDSCAPE GARDEN, WILTSHIRE

Immerse yourself in over 300 years of history in the tranquil grounds of Stourhead garden in the Warminster area of Wiltshire. Boasting 2,650 acres of chalk downs, woods and farmland, the grounds here are teeming with wildlife. At its centre is a stunning landscaped garden with a show stopping lake, a domed grotto, a pantheon, a Palladian bridge and the iconic circular Temple of Apollo.

4. FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL WATER GARDEN, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Home to the largest monastic ruins in the country, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, located within the Skell Valley near Rippon, have been granted World Heritage status. The dramatic landscaped gardens are dotted with statues, woodlands, wildflower lawns, ponds, canals, follies and plenty of jaw-dropping views, meaning there’s plenty to keep you engaged, no matter the season or the weather.

See:10 expert do's and don'ts for giving your garden a makeover

5. CLUMBER PARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

With grounds covering a massive 3,800 acres, Clumber Park in Worksop offers idyllic parkland, farmland, walled gardens, woods, a photogenic ornamental bridge and a two mile-long avenue of limes as the main approach. The huge serpentine lake provides picture-worthy views and there are over 120 different types of trees here, so fans of flora and fauna will have plenty to see and enjoy. Bring a picnic and take your time strolling the incredible grounds here; you won’t be disappointed.

6. LYME PARK, CHESHIRE

The beautiful manor house at Lyme Park in Cheshire is the centrepiece to 17 acres of beautifully designed formal Victorian gardens, including a rose garden, sunken parterre, rain garden and conservatory.

Beyond this, the estate stretches a further 1,400 acres and includes a deer park, rugged moorland and ancient woodlands. The Cage, a Gothic hunting tower, overlooks the house from a hill in the park, making for an impressive view.

7. WADDESDON GARDENS, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

A great example of Victorian horticulture, the formal gardens at Waddesdon Manor were created at the end of the 19th century by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. The gardens are famous for the floral Carpet Bedding and Parterre (a French-inspired symmetrical garden), and visitors while away the hours wandering between the flower beds, terraces, fountains and pathways.

There’s also a beautifully restored aviary that’s perfect for picnics and a private water garden formed from small lakes, waterfalls, cascades and winding rocky passages (only accessible on special tours).

See:The East Terrace Garden at Windsor Castle to open to the public for the first time in over 40 years

8. CALKE GARDENS AND PARKLANDS, DERBYSHIRE

With over 600 acres of ancient deer-filled parkland, woodland walks and secluded ponds, there’s plenty to discover at Calke. The Calke Explore outdoor hub offers excellent facilities, links to walking and cycling routes and natural play areas in the woods that are perfect for families and adults.

The more formal Pleasure Grounds around Calke Abbey show a rustic dilapidation that’s celebrated by the gardeners and used to create stunning horticultural displays; you’ll find rusting tools nestled in amongst the carefully curated flowerbeds. Here you can enjoy the Orangery, Gardener’s Bothy, Physic Garden and glass houses.

9. HARDWICK GARDENS AND PARKLANDS, DERBYSHIRE

The impressive Hardwick Hall is Elizabethan architecture at its finest and makes an inspiring backdrop for the walled gardens, orchards, pavilions, courtyards, herb gardens, gatehouse, woodland and huge open pasture parkland that makes up the estate. Walkers, day trippers, dog owners, picnickers, cyclists and families-alike have plenty to see and do in the grounds here.

See:How to grow hydrangeas – with National Trust garden consultant, Ian Wright

10. CHARTWELL GARDEN, KENT

Once the home of the Churchill family (including Sir Winston), the gardens at Chartwell in Kent have been open to the public since 1966. With a one-way system in place, visitors exploring the gardens will visit waterfalls, lakes, the gorgeous walled garden (with a stunning Golden Rose Avenue), orchards and plenty more, all bursting with colour and incredible floral scents.

Windsor Castle has topped a list of the most expensive UK homes to decorate - costing over £64 million to furnish, according to a study by online luxury homeware brand Olivia's.

Accommodating over 150 people, including the Queen, the castle is estimated to cost £64 million to furnish and decorate, followed by Hampton Court Palace which cost in excess of £57 million.

See: Bill and Melinda Gates’ new $43 million San Diego home will take your breath away

According to the brand’s data, this is nearly 4,400 times more than what the standard Brit spends, which is, on average, £14,650 on an entire three-bedroom family home.

With over 1,000 rooms, Windsor Castle tops the list of the most expensive properties to furnish, costing an estimated £64 million. Buckingham Palace also features on the list, with 775 rooms and costing nearly £50 million.

The five most expensive UK homes to furnish:

The brand considered different aspects of each property to discover which UK homes are the most expensive to furnish, including the age of a property, size, overall worth and the value of its possessions.

1. WINDSOR CASTLE – £64 MILLION

Windsor Castle is one of the biggest royal residencies in the world, with over 1,000 rooms. Along with her Majesty the Queen, the castle is home to more than 150 members of staff. Interior items often seen include oak cabinets designed circa 1783, gold candelabras and a selection of fine antique furniture dating back to the 18th and early-19th century, from armchairs to sofas.

2. HAMPTON COURT PALACE – £57.6 MILLION

Over 500 years old with more than 1,000 rooms, Hampton Court Palace was home to King Henry VIII. The palace interior consists mainly of Tudor and Georgian furnishings, including Jean Pelletier tables, original state beds and crystal chandeliers.

3. BUCKINGHAM PALACE – £49.6 MILLION

Buckingham Palace houses over 775 rooms with 240 bedrooms and 19 reception rooms. An official royal residence since 1761, the Palace still houses furniture from the 18th century and many rooms follow an ornate red, gold and green colour scheme.

4. SANDRINGHAM HOUSE – £43.2 MILLION

Located in Norfolk, Sandringham House is a private residence of the Royals. Dating back to Elizabethan times with renovations added by Queen Victoria, the house still today follows popular Edwardian interior design, with antique 19th century cabinets and tables scattered throughout the property.

5. HIGHCLERE CASTLE – £19.2 MILLION

Commonly known as the filming location for Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle was built in the Jacobethan style in 1679 and has over 200 rooms. The interiors mainly consist of Victorian furniture and antiques, but the castle also has more unique furnishings, such as leather walls in its Saloon room and a beautiful four-poster bed adorned with 18th century silk in its Mercia bedroom.

The brand also surveyed more than 3,000 UK homeowners to discover common interior and decorating spending habits, and found that the average Brit spends £14,650 decorating and furnishing an entire three-bedroom house.

According to the survey of UK homeowners, the most expensive room in a house to furnish is the living room, which costs on average £3,600. In comparison, the cheapest room to furnish is a bathroom, costing on average £650. On average it costs £1,831 to decorate and furnish a room in a typical British home. Permanent fixtures such as kitchen and bathroom units were not included in the survey.

The platform’s interiors expert, Sharmeen Shahid, has also put together a guide on what materials, colours and layout Brits should employ to achieve a luxurious and modern aesthetic.

Advice includes the use of inexpensive wood to create panel walls, adding depth to rooms, accessorising using high-quality fabrics such as velvet, and using mirrors throughout a home to maximise light and space.

Nick Moutter, founder of Olivia’s, said: 'Working with our team of experts, it was incredible to discover how much it would cost to decorate some of the most magnificent homes in the UK.

'It’s no surprise that two of the Queen’s residences, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, are at the top of the list.

'It’s also fascinating to survey our own customers to discover how much money they spend on the interiors in their homes. I’m excited to share our data and release our royal furnishing guide to help homeowners give their own properties a luxury feel, similar to those on our list.'

View the top 10 list of the most expensive UK homes to furnish, along with the guide to luxury interiors at Olivias.com.

See: Five-minute gardening tips from the National Trust

These gardens encompass over 500-years of history, and showcase a variety of styles and fashions.Discover a selection of our favourite National Trust gardens that you can visit all year-round.

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Mottisfont, Hampshire

Sweeping lawns, ancient trees, and sparkling streams frame this lovely old house, formed from a medieval priory. Maud Russell made it her home in the 1930s, bringing artists, writers and designers here. Inside you’ll discover changing art exhibitions, and outdoors, acres of changing seasonal colour.

In mid-winter, thousands of snowdrops cluster along the river walk. Mottisfont’s one-acre winter garden glows with brilliantly coloured bark from dogwoods and silvery ornamental bramble. Full of winter-flowering shrubs, sweet scents of witch hazel, viburnum and wintersweet fill the air and gullies of foliage plants appear to wind through the banks of willow like water, spilling into the stream below.

In early spring the garden is dotted with pink and purple bedding plants - cyclamen, crocus and anemone - and clusters of golden daffodils bloom across the garden’s huge lawns and under its giant plane trees. In the formal parterre and rose garden tulips appear in ivory, pink and deep purple. Mottisfont’s pretty Lime Avenue is carpeted in lilac-blue chionodoxa flowers, and in the meadow you’ll find nodding purple snake’s-head fritillaries.

Mottisfont is famous for its renowned rose garden, which reaches its peak in June. Housing the National Collection of old-fashioned roses, this incredible series of walled gardens is full to bursting with deeply scented varieties. You’ll find ramblers and climbers on walls and mingling with gnarled fruit trees. Delicate China and tea roses mix with ancient varieties from Persia, set in huge borders alongside other perennials like geraniums, peonies, pinks, and white foxgloves. Many of the rose varieties are for sale, in Mottisfont’s large rose sales area.

Adjoining the rose garden is Mottisfont’s large kitchen garden, which this autumn celebrates its first anniversary. This beautiful space embodies the property’s medieval history and productive past. Long pergolas inspired by cloisters are smothered with hanging gourds, and raised beds bursting with produce and floral colour surround a central water feature. Everything is culinary, medicinal or edible, designed to educate and inspire. Elsewhere, Mottisfont’s veteran trees put on spectacular shows of autumn foliage.

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

The 114-acre gardens of Anglesey Abbey reward a visit time and again, offering a new highlight every season – just as their creator, Lord Fairhaven, intended.

In spring, don’t miss the Formal Garden where brightly coloured orange and white ‘Tres Chic’ and ‘Ballerina’ tulips adorn the crisp, geometric beds.

In the summer months, expect formal gardens full of scent and colour, open lawns for relaxing and wildflower meadows buzzing with activity. From June to October, the quintessentially English Rose Garden is a must see as 40 different rose varieties fill the air with scent.

As summer gives way to autumn, it’s the Dahlia Garden’s time to shine. Featuring 70 types of dahlias, and arranged in a sweeping curve, the garden creates a glorious rainbow effect and is celebrated in the garden’s annual Dazzling Dahlias event (9-29 September 2019).

But it isn’t just the plants that make Anglesey Abbey special: Lord Fairhaven amassed one of the finest collections of garden statuary in the country. Prepare to be amazed by the array of statues you’ll find throughout the garden, from stone Greek maidens and busts of Emperors to crouching lions and intricately decorated urns.

When the nights draw in and many gardens turn quiet, the Winter Garden comes into its own with breathtaking colours and textures from 150 specially chosen plant species. Admire the stunning grove of silver birches, snowdrops, beautifully touchable barks, grasses whispering in the breeze and some powerfully scented winter flowers.

Nymans, West Sussex

German émigré Ludwig Messel bought the 600-acre Nymans estate in the 1890’s so he could cultivate his love of gardening and share it with family and friends. The extensive but intimate garden, set around a romantic house and partial ruin, is still delighting visitors today with hidden corners through stone archways, tree-lined avenues and views of the lush Sussex Weald.

In spring the walled garden is brim full of lavish displays of flowers, from drifts of bright yellow daffodils to masses of frothy blossom and camellias.

Perhaps the most photographed part of the garden is the Edwardian summer borders, a flamboyant mix of perennials and annuals set off by a beautiful Verona marble fountain. Another summer highlight is the Rose Garden, inspired by Maud Messel’s 1920s design, scented by hints of old-fashioned roses.

As summer fades to autumn, displays of dahlias, salvias and hydrangeas take centre stage in the sunk garden and terrace. The autumn tints on leaves, rustling of ornamental grasses and glow of colourful heather are a feast for all the senses. Enclosing the rose garden, the vivid new salvia border stays colourful well into autumn, complementing packed borders full of late summer flowers. Views across the woodland dipping down into the valley reveal a palette of oranges, reds and yellows.

Even winter is far from dull, with clusters of snowdrops, fragrant witch hazels and colourful stems brightening even the greyest of days. Frost crunches beneath your feet and the air is filled with the sweet smell of delicate daphne flowers. Stroll along the winter walk and be cheered by winter flowering shrubs, berries, bark and stems.

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Nestling in the Snowdonian foothills, Bodnant is a world class, Grade-I listed garden, but much more – enjoy grand formal terraces, dramatic riverside dells, a tranquil lakeside and informal woods and meadows buzzing with wildlife. It really is a garden for all seasons; bursting with blossom in spring, rose terraces and lily ponds in summer, a tree-scape of fantastic autumn colour, plus a specially designed Winter Garden. Don’t miss a peek inside the 18th-century Pin Mill, the Victorian Poem mausoleum and the Georgian Old Mill (open on certain days, see website for details).

In late spring, the glorious laburnum arch steals the show, believed to be the oldest and longest of its kind in the UK. Planted in 1880, and made up of 64 laburnum plants, it creates a 55m long tunnel of golden, cascading flowers that draws visitors from far and wide.

This is a plant lover’s dream, with ‘signature’ plants including Meconopsis (startlingly blue Himalayan poppies), Davidia (handkerchief tree) and Embothrium (the scarlet-flowered Chilean fire bush). It’s also home to Britain’s earliest magnolias, introduced from China in the late 1800s, and to unique rhododendron hybrids which were bred here from the 1920s.

It’s 100 years since Bodnant came into the care of the National Trust, and the garden keeps on evolving. With around 20 formerly private acres opened to the public since 2012, and gardeners currently busy renovating other areas, there will be plenty more to explore in years to come.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Historic, poetic, iconic – Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is a refuge dedicated to beauty. Poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat and author husband Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and began creating their now world-renowned garden in the 1930s. Harold’s architectural planning of the garden ‘rooms’, and the colourful, generous planting by Vita, reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings.

Each of the garden rooms is planted to peak in a particular season, like acts in a year-long play. In spring the Lime Walk is at its best, before the Rose Garden becomes the focus in early summer. July sees the famous White Garden peak followed by the Lower Courtyard in August. The jungle-like Cottage Garden reaches a crescendo by September and was known by Vita as the ‘sunset garden’ for its profusion of hot red, yellow and orange shades.

New for 2020 will be the ‘Delos’ garden, which Vita and Harold began after a visit to the sacred Greek island in the 1930’s. The local climate and north-facing position of the garden, combined with a limited knowledge of Mediterranean planting, meant that the garden didn’t thrive. But now, designer Dan Pearson is working with the National Trust to breathe life back into the space, using current design practices, clever landscaping and a broader range of planting to capture the essence of Vita and Harold’s vision.

Stourhead, Wiltshire

First opened in the 1740s, Stourhead is one of England’s greatest landscape gardens, described in the 18th century as “a living work of art where all is grand or simple or a beautiful mixture of both.”

Follow the twisting paths through this magical landscape garden where trees, plants, classical temples and grottos are reflected in the glistening lake, hidden views are revealed at every turn, and each season paints a different picture.

In summer, enjoy the sun-dappled paths, watch for the garden’s rich butterfly and bird life and relax on one of the picnic-perfect lawns. Autumn brings a whole new grandeur as the lake reflects the bonfire of colours and golden leaves crunch underfoot, before winter brings a frozen peace, the bare trees traced crisply against the sky.

Dotted around the garden are many spectacular temples and features, designed to create a classical feel. These include The Temple of Flora, dedicated to the Roman goddess of flowers and spring; the statue-filled Pantheon, the largest garden building at Stourhead; a cool, cave-like Grotto and the circular, hilltop Temple of Apollo, which gives delightful views over the lake.

Powis Castle, Powys

Powis Castle has one of the finest gardens in Britain, attracting visitors from all over the world to enjoy its superb horticultural craftsmanship and rich history.

Perched high on a rocky ridge, Powis Castle was once a fortified medieval castle but in later, less violent centuries, it was transformed into a comfortable family home. Stretching out below the castle lies a garden which, far from being a rustic, small-town attempt, was the height of international fashion in its day.

Many of the country’s greatest gardens show only their most recent developments as they have been created over the remains of older gardens; each layer loved in its day but now buried under the tide of fashion. The wonder of Powis’ garden is that it has retained most of its historic styles – its 17th-century Italianate terraces and Orangery, its peaceful wooded landscape garden on the Wilderness ridge, and its opulent Edwardian Formal Garden. All are still there and thriving, now enriched by centuries of plantsmanship and skilled gardening.

Explore the historic terraces lined with unique yew ‘tumps’, which stand as monumental living sculptures stretching up to 14m high, and admire breath-taking views across the Severn valley and the wider garden. It is a rare sight to see 300 years of garden history unfolding before your eyes, sitting happily and spectacularly together.

Unquestionably a garden for all seasons, Powis has something to please the eye even on the crispest of winter days. Dancing lead statues, lavish herbaceous borders, an ice-house, fountain garden, vibrant autumnal colour and crisp winter views all wait to be discovered in this garden that never fails to impress.

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

There’s not one garden at Cliveden, but many, each with its own individual character and particular charm. The estate is the result of 350 years of work by countless gardeners, with layer upon layer of historical influences and passions. As one planting scheme starts to fade at the end of the season, another comes into its own, providing countless reasons to visit over the course of the year.

Visitors stepping onto the terrace to look out over the Grade-I listed formal parterre are greeted by crisp geometric beds and far-reaching views over the Thames below. In the mid-19th century, John Fleming was head gardener to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland at Cliveden and was an innovator of the seasonal and carpet bedding seen today across the estate. The spectacle of seasonal bedding is changed by the gardens team twice a year with each display using around 40,000 plants in bold and vibrant shades.

Cliveden’s Victorian-inspired bedding scheme can also be seen in the Long Garden which is home to the estate’s century-old yew topiary, depicting obelisks, spirals and peacocks. Along with the statuary, it creates a structural element to the Italianate garden which takes on an ethereal dimension on a misty day.

Throughout summer, the Rose Garden is a scented haven. From east to west, nodding heads of over 900 roses phase through sunset shades from palest lemon to deep red.

A real highlight of Cliveden’s formal gardens is the herbaceous borders. Chief among these are the contrasting ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ schemes of the forecourts on the north side of the mansion. These are the creation of Graham Stuart Thomas, the National Trust’s gardens advisor during the 1960s and 70s. The east border (facing west) is dominated by bright golds, yellows, oranges, reds, and burgundies. On the west border are the cooler whites, pale blues, mauves and pinks.

The oriental Water Garden provides superb autumn colour, and in spring bursts into bloom with camellias and azaleas. Elsewhere in spring, the formal gardens across the estate are bathed in the golden light of thousands of daffodils. A visit in early May is not complete without a walk through the woodlands to see the haze of bluebells carpeting the ground.

Cliveden’s estate is a kaleidoscope of colour for inspiration and enjoyment throughout the year.

Mount Stewart, County Down

All gardens are an outpouring of artistic expression, and Mount Stewart is no exception. Voted as one of the top 10 gardens in the world, the garden at Mount Stewart was planted in the 1920s and seems to be full of impossible flowers. It reflects a rich tapestry of design and great planting artistry that was the hallmark of its creator Edith, Lady Londonderry. Her passion for bold planting schemes coupled with the mild climate of Strangford Lough allows rare and tender plants from across the globe to thrive in this celebrated garden.

The formal gardens surrounding the house are packed with fanciful statues drawing from Irish and classical mythology. The astonishing levels of planting experimentation fill the gardens with spirit and character reminiscent of an Italian villa landscape. Wooded areas support a range of plants from all corners of the world, ensuring something to see whatever the season.

Walking through the magnificent woodlands is like walking through a painting: paths lined with rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias lead you around the banks of the four-acre lake, rich with primulas, irises, and large-leafed gunneras. It truly is a tonic for the soul.

Together the house, gardens and demesne are a glorious celebration of people, power and plants. Explore in your own time or take a guided garden tour to find out more about the history, grandeur and enchantment of these much-loved gardens.

Wentworth Castle Gardens, South Yorkshire

Wentworth Castle Gardens near Barnsley is one of the finest Grade-I listed landscapes in the country, featuring 63 acres of gardens and 500 acres of rolling parkland.

The gardens are home to some of the earliest monuments and follies in the country, including the fairy-tale like ‘ancient ruins’ of Stainborough Castle. Unusually for the time, many of the structures in the garden are dedicated to women, including Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who was responsible for introducing the smallpox vaccination to Britain and Western Europe. It’s believed to be the first monument in the country dedicated to a living, non-royal woman.

The beautifully restored Victorian conservatory is one of the last surviving winter gardens in England and was the first conservatory in the country to have electric lighting. The gardens are also home to three National Plant Collections: Camellia x williamsii cultivars, hardy rhododendrons and magnolias which give glorious showy displays in season.

An endless variety of gentle walking trails, picnic and hide and seek spots will keep you occupied for many outdoor adventures. Pause to take in the uninterrupted views of the Yorkshire countryside down to the valleys below, explore the mysterious fernery and stroll along Lady Lucy’s Walk, an avenue of towering lime trees.

Geoffrey Fisher's artistic journey began at Hornsey College of Art. After graduating in 1976, he set up a studio in a disused factory close to London's Brick Lane and began working with gathered wood. 

He moved to Greece for a number of years, where he continued to experiment with wood before returning to the English countryside to forage and make. 

His pieces have a pleasingly utilitarian feel and are available at The Conran Shop, Another Country and Twentytwentyone, among others, and from his online shop.

• See: Interior design trends – the top looks for the New Year

For as long as I can remember, I've been designing and making with wood. Whether in the form of a piece of furniture or an abstract construction, it has always been a way of expressing myself visually.

I grew up in Buckinghamshire and spent a lot of my time in the woods behind our family home and further afield. Nature has always been an important part of my life, especially when I lived in Greece. Now, each week, I'll work in local woodland, learning more about the seasonal changes that take place and the distinctive quality of each type of tree. I tend to work with ash, beech, oak and, occasionally, yew.

I've been using this method of collecting and making utilitarian products from foraged wood for about five years. I still can't fully understand the appeal of what I produce. It's not enough to say that the materials are from sustainable sources and the pieces are entirely handmade, and that isn't always apparent at first glance. There's definitely a tactile quality to the products and, from an aesthetic point of view, they're unusual and slightly challenging. Some pieces have a humorous element, which makes my clients smile.

Working with foraged wood happened by chance. A tree came down in the garden and the shape of one of its branches suggested that it could be used as a coat hook. This way of making was completely different from anything I'd done before; it involved working alongside nature, rather than imposing something upon it. Now I spend time going out to collect – it's relatively affordable and is sustainable, but always demanding to work with in its raw state.

My brooms have proved very popular. It started when a friend suggested that I should try incorporating brush bristles into a length of foraged wood. I thought that would be virtually impossible, because of all irregularities and the unique shape of each piece. However, after a number of failed attempts, a prototype was ready to take to one of my retailers. From that point on, a small production run was made and eventually a larger one.

This year, Ive introduced two new materials to the range. I'm using brightly coloured synthetic fibre for some of the brushes and galvanised steel for dustpans. I like the contrast between the natural shape and texture of the foraged wood and the manufactured qualities of the plastic and metal. I'm also writing a book about my work. In between collecting the wood and creating my pieces, I try to set aside a couple of hours a day to work on it. One thing I know is that wood has always been my main source of inspiration, both for practical and aesthetic reasons.

Geoffrey Fisher, geoffreyfisher.com. Studio visits by appointment only. You can buyGeoffrey's products via his website or book an individual making workshop with him.

Photography/Helen Cathcart