Highgrove is a beautiful Georgian house surrounded by among the best gardens I have ever seen -- and it is these that are open to the public on a limited number of days (we booked these tickets last January). Charles bought the property around 1980. The house was situated in a rather plain park but he saw great potential in the estate to experiment with his ideas about organic gardening and that is precisely what he has done. The result is a series of magnificent garden "rooms" each surrounded by sculpted hedges. From the yellow boxwood garden, each plant trimmed into fantastical shapes, to the wildflower meadow, the entire garden displays a creativity and playfulness one is not prone to think of in connection with Charles. It was wonderful to have a guided tour because we learned so much about the processes involved in creating what we were seeing, including the failures as well as the successes.
We were forbidden to take photographs -- no doubt for security purposes -- but I honestly don't know how I would have chosen what photograph to take since everywhere one turned was a prospect that simply delighted the eye. After a couple of hours in the garden, we had lunch in the little dining room. Everything was so tasteful and the staff so gracious. Truly a quality (indeed, royal) experience. Here are some photos from the web site.
