Imagine a sprawling green oasis in the heart of London. This is Buckingham Palace Garden. It is a private park attached to the London residence of the British monarch.
Buckingham Palace Garden is not just any garden. It is the largest private garden in London. Covering 42 acres it offers a tranquil escape from the city.
The royal connection to this garden dates back to 1609. James I purchased four acres of land. His intention was to plant mulberry trees near his Palace of Westminster.
Over time Buckingham Palace Garden evolved. It covers much of the area of the former Goring Great Garden. Henry Wise laid out an elaborate garden in the French style. It featured parterres and a central canal. Later William Townsend Aiton reshaped the garden. Aiton’s work forms the basis of the garden that exists today.
Today Buckingham Palace Garden hosts the monarch’s annual garden parties. In 2002 Queen Elizabeth II opened the garden to the public for the first time during her reign. Thousands of Britons attended Party at the Palace during her Golden Jubilee Weekend. Brian May played his God Save the Queen guitar solo on top of Buckingham Palace. During the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2006 the garden hosted Children’s Party at the Palace.
The garden is home to over 1000 trees. It has 325 species of wild plants and 35 different species of birds. The garden features a large 19th-century lake. Once, a flock of flamingoes graced its waters. There is also a summerhouse attributed to William Kent. A helicopter landing pad sits on the great lawn below the West Terrace. You can even find a tennis court here.
When the palace is open in August and September visitors can access part of the garden. It serves as the exit, via a gift shop.
The garden’s history is rich. Henry Wise constructed an elaborate formal garden. It had a long central canal running south from the rear of the house. Capability Brown also worked on the garden. William Townsend Aiton and John Nash redesigned the garden. The great manmade lake was completed in 1828. It was supplied with water from the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park.
An artificial rise called The Mound obscures the view of the Royal Mews. Prince Albert built a pavilion on the mound during the Victorian era.
The garden boasts a diverse collection of trees. Plane trees, Indian chestnut trees and silver maple trees are here. You can also find a swamp cypress. A mulberry tree survives from James I’s attempt to breed silkworms. The garden now holds the UK’s national collection of mulberry trees. It houses some 40 varieties.
The Waterloo Vase is a notable feature. Napoleon commissioned it to commemorate his expected victories. Edward VII placed the vase in the garden. It remains there today. A summerhouse stands opposite the Waterloo Vase. Much of the statuary in the garden was designed by Nash.
The lake is 400 feet long and 150 feet across. The water is aerated by a waterfall. The large island in the lake houses four beehives. Honey has been produced there since 1983. Helicopters land on the great lawn.
Buckingham Palace Garden is a beautiful space. It is a place of history, nature and royal tradition. It is a unique part of London’s landscape.