Overview
Throughout four centuries, Britain's Royal Family has been responsible for creating superb gardens---many leading the field in garden design of their time. In this lavishly illustrated volume, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong shows us the glories of Britain's royal gardens today and yesterday. From the ostentatious grandeur of Charles II's Hampton Court and the exotic glamour of the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, to the somber seclusion of queen Victoria's Windsor and the "green" commitment expressed at Highgrove by Prince Charles today, the gardens reflect the changing preoccupations of the monarchy. Above all, they reflect the personalities of those kings, queens, princes, and princesses who have loved and been passionately involved with their gardens.Various and imaginative delights abound as we view stately avenues, sumptuous borders, acres of flower-filled conservatories, lakes, fountains, follies, and also secret cornors beyond. The history that emerges is full of surprises: who would suspect that Kensington Gardens began as one of the great formal gardens of Stuart England? Or that part of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew was once an avant-garde Georgian garden, created to make a sophisticated political statement? Royal Gardensshows us what some of Britain's most famous public spaces; such as London's St. james' Park, were like when they were private royal gardens. And Sir Roy takes us into the Buckingham Palace, the Queen Mother's gardens at Royal Lodge, Birkhall and the Castle of Mey, and the Prince of Wales idyllic garden at Highgrove.
A wonderful testament to a cherished British tradition, Sir Roy Strong's Royal Gardensinforms, delights, and brings lasting pleasure to anyone interested in English history, garden history, and great gardens today.
With glorious color photographs, paintings, prints, and original designs, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong presents Britain's royal gardens of today and yesterday--magnificent designs that reflect the personalities of the kings, queens, princes and princesses who have been and are passionately involved in their gardens.
Synopsis
Throughout four centuries, Britain's Royal Family has been responsible for creating superb gardens---many leading the field in garden design of their time. In this lavishly illustrated volume, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong shows us the glories of Britain's royal gardens today and yesterday. From the ostentatious grandeur of Charles II's Hampton Court and the exotic glamour of the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, to the somber seclusion of queen Victoria's Windsor and the "green" commitment expressed at Highgrove by Prince Charles today, the gardens reflect the changing preoccupations of the monarchy. Above all, they reflect the personalities of those kings, queens, princes, and princesses who have loved and been passionately involved with their gardens.Various and imaginative delights abound as we view stately avenues, sumptuous borders, acres of flower-filled conservatories, lakes, fountains, follies, and also secret cornors beyond. The history that emerges is full of surprises: who would suspect that Kensington Gardens began as one of the great formal gardens of Stuart England? Or that part of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew was once an avant-garde Georgian garden, created to make a sophisticated political statement? Royal Gardensshows us what some of Britain's most famous public spaces; such as London's St. james' Park, were like when they were private royal gardens. And Sir Roy takes us into the Buckingham Palace, the Queen Mother's gardens at Royal Lodge, Birkhall and the Castle of Mey, and the Prince of Wales idyllic garden at Highgrove.
A wonderful testament to a cherished British tradition, Sir Roy Strong's Royal Gardensinforms, delights, and brings lasting pleasure to anyone interested in English history, garden history, and great gardens today.
With glorious color photographs, paintings, prints, and original designs, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong presents Britain's royal gardens of today and yesterday--magnificent designs that reflect the personalities of the kings, queens, princes and princesses who have been and are passionately involved in their gardens.