Visit Highgrove House, the Secluded Country Home of King Charles and Queen Camilla

Highgrove House is a private estate located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. It's the country home of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The estate spans over 9,000 acres of beautiful countryside. You can explore the gardens, which are a highlight of the property.

Visitors can walk along the tranquil streams and woodlands, taking in the serene atmosphere. The gardens are a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Highgrove House is located in Doughton, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, South West England.

The house is close to Gatcombe Park, the country residence of the King's sister, Anne, Princess Royal, which is about 6 miles away.

Highgrove House is also near Nether Lypiatt Manor, which was once owned by the King's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent.

A high stone wall surrounds the estate for security purposes, and the duchy and the chief constable of Gloucestershire supported the moving of two public footpaths in 1983 due to security concerns.

Several people have been arrested near Highgrove since the King's occupation, including two French journalists and a photographer from The Sun.

A 1.5-nautical-mile aerial exclusion zone was imposed over Highgrove in 1991 to restrict civilian aircraft and microlights.

Highgrove House's design is a masterclass in understated elegance. The estate's gardens, created by Prince Charles, are a key feature of the property.

The gardens are a testament to Prince Charles's passion for horticulture, featuring a variety of plants and trees that are carefully selected for their beauty and durability.

The house itself has undergone several renovations, with the most significant being the 1997 restoration led by architect Quinlan Terry.

This restoration aimed to preserve the original 19th-century character of the house while incorporating modern amenities and sustainable features.

The result is a harmonious blend of old and new, with the original architecture still evident in the house's facade and interior design.

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The gardens at Highgrove House are a true delight. They're open to visitors on certain dates throughout the year, typically from April to October.

Visitors can enjoy a two-hour guided garden tour, which costs $36 per person and is sold on a first-come first-served basis. All profits go to the King Charles III Charitable Foundation, which supports community-based projects in the UK.

One of the best things about the gardens is that they're a special place for everyone. As King Charles himself said in 2019, "One of my great joys is to see the pleasure that the garden can bring to many of the visitors and that everybody seems to find some part of it that is special to them."

The gardens are a must-see, especially during the winter months when they're covered in a dusting of snow. A previously-unseen photograph of the gardens was shared on the Highgrove Gardens Instagram account, showcasing a charming winter scene with a whimsical arched doorway.

If you're planning a visit, be sure to head to highgrovegardens.com for the latest information on tour dates and times.

Highgrove House was built between 1796-1798 in a Georgian neo-classical style on the site of an older property.

The estate was bought in 1980 by the Duchy of Cornwall from Maurice Macmillan, son of former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

King Charles was appointed a tenant for life of Highgrove by the Duchy, which also manages the estate and the nearby Duchy Home Farm.

Charles and Diana initially occupied Highgrove at weekends, and their children, Prince William and Prince Harry, spent much of their childhoods there.

Charles has devoted a lot of time and energy into transforming the gardens, which were initially overgrown and untended, but have since flourished under his care.

Highgrove House was built between 1796-1798 in a Georgian neo-classical style.

The original property was likely built by local mason and architect Anthony Keck.

Highgrove was bought in 1980 by the Duchy of Cornwall from Maurice Macmillan, son of former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

King Charles was appointed a tenant for life of Highgrove by the Duchy, which also manages the estate and the nearby Duchy Home Farm.

Essential repairs and redecorations were carried out, and a swimming pool added – a wedding present from the British Army to Charles and Diana in 1981.

Highgrove was initially occupied at weekends by Charles and Diana, and their two children – Prince William and Prince Harry – spent much of their childhoods there.

Charles remodelled the Georgian house with neo-classical additions in 1987.

Throughout his time at Highgrove, Charles has devoted lots of time and energy into transforming the gardens, which were overgrown and untended when he first moved in.

The gardens have since flourished – designed by Charles in consultation with highly regarded gardeners including Rosemary Verey and Miriam Rothschild.

Charles introduced organic farming on the grounds, and the estate gained full organic status in 1994.

The gardens at Highgrove have been open to the public since 1996.

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Prince Harry and William enjoyed basement hangouts. They called it "Club H" and it was located in the basement of Highgrove, a place where they could escape and be themselves.

The "H" in Club H actually stood for Highgrove, not Harry, as one might assume. The princes took over the basement in their teenage years, creating a sanctuary that provided them with peace, mischief, and solitude.

Club H was a bomb shelter in the middle of the British countryside, making it the perfect hideout for the princes. Harry describes it as his go-to place when he wanted to act out or be alone.

In his memoir, Spare, Harry writes about the special bond he shared with his brother William in the basement of Highgrove. It's clear that Club H held a special place in their hearts.

Visiting Highgrove House is a unique experience. The gardens are open to visitors on certain dates throughout the year.

King Charles enjoys sharing his estate with guests, and it's clear that he takes pride in seeing the pleasure the garden brings to visitors. He's quoted as saying, "One of my great joys is to see the pleasure that the garden can bring to many of the visitors and that everybody seems to find some part of it that is special to them."

The gardens are typically open for tours from April to October.

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When visiting Highgrove House, you'll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colours and scents in the four-acre Wildflower Meadow, featuring endangered native plants like the spotted orchid.

The Kitchen Garden is where you can find a bounty of fruits, making it a must-see for anyone with a green thumb.

The gardens are adorned with scented flowers like wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle, and thyme, thanks to Charles and his friend Lady Salisbury.

The Arboretum is home to varieties of beech, acer, and cherry trees, as well as magnolias – the pink and white flowers are a favourite of King Charles.

The Cottage Garden is inspired by the colours of Tibet, making it a unique and fascinating spot to explore.

The Sundial Garden features a central stone sundial and purple and blue delphiniums, creating a picturesque scene.

The Thyme Walk is home to a whopping twenty varieties of thyme, making it a great spot for herb enthusiasts.

The Lily Pool Garden provides water for visiting birds to drink and bathe in, all year round, making it a haven for wildlife.

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If you're looking for a luxurious place to stay, Whatley Manor is a great option, located just five miles from Highgrove and 10 minutes from Westonbirt Arboretum.

Whatley Manor is a stunning country hotel and spa with a two-Michelin star restaurant.

It's set by rolling fields, on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds near Malmesbury, and you'll enter through a walled courtyard that feels like stepping into another world.

This beautiful setting makes Whatley Manor a perfect choice for a relaxing getaway.

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