Windsor Castle is a royal residence located in the quaint city of Windsor, where tradition rules all. It’s noted to be one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite places since it’s steeped in over 1,000 years of history (per House & Garden). The residence was first established by William the Conqueror back in 1070 and today is home to 150 people, including Her Royal Highness.
The gothic structure is also home to the Royal Archives, the Royal Photograph Collection, the Print Room, and the Royal Library, as noted by the royal website. So it’s safe to say the attraction lures a lot of visitors from around the world each year. Additionally, Windsor Castle is home to St. George’s Chapel, the home of the Order of the Garter; this club is the oldest order of chivalry in the world. But there are many other secret treasures that lie just beyond the brick walls that royal enthusiasts have only just recently been able to see.
A secret garden
For the first time in 40 years, the East Terrace Garden at Windsor Castle was open to the public on August 5th, 2020, which was happily announced by The Royal Trust. The plot of land is described as a formal garden whose main talking point is its beds of 3,500 roses that have all been planted around the famed fountain.
The first garden enthusiast and visionary behind the East Terrace Garden was King George IV, who helped it come to life between 1824 and 1826 (via Town & Country). Leave it to a king to want to try and have a better view out his window. Additionally, many of the plants and vegetation were specially brought into the garden, which includes its collection of French orange trees.
Tourists will now be able to walk among some of history’s most prominent names while admiring their pristine garden and views that show off the parkland. If you snag a tour, you may also bump into King Charles I’s four bronze statues that are still standing today.
A rose is a rose
When Queen Elizabeth moved to her Scottish estate in the summer of 2020, she was happy to show off her green thumb to the public. The garden holds a special place in the Queen’s heart since it was a vital respite during the years she was a princess. Town & Country also revealed that the Queen and Princess Margaret made a small vegetable patch within the garden during World War II. Many may also not be aware that in 1971, Prince Philip helped launch a redesign for the property where he took charge of rearranging the flower beds and adding a new bronze lotus for the fountain (per The Sun).
Visitors should be sure they mind their Ps and Qs since the garden is still the property of Her Majesty, and it’s expected that everyone respect the grounds. After all, there’s a moat that could end up holding anyone who litters the beautiful garden with garbage. While we’re sure the moat is just there for aesthetic reasons, we wouldn’t want to risk missing out on such a beautiful vision when the flowers are all in bloom.
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