August 22, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Queen is allowing visitors into palace garden for first time

LONDON, August 22, Graphic News: The Queen is to open up her private gardens at Buckingham Palace for the first time in their 176-year history. As well as viewing the State Rooms, visitors will be able to follow the paths taken when she and other royals wander through the lush 40-acre (16-hectare) haven.

The 500-yard (450-metre) walk along the south side of the royal garden, with views of the 19th-century lake and the usually unseen west aspect of the palace, is a bonus for tourists during the summer opening from August 4 to September 30.

Head gardener Mark Lane said: ÒVisitors will be able to talk to garden wardens about the wildlife and there will be benches to sit on and enjoy the scene. There are parts of the garden where you can hardly hear any traffic.Ó

The garden -- a walled oasis in the middle of London -- is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including at least 30 species of birds. It is a favourite nesting place for many breeds, such as the great crested grebe. The lake provides a refuge for other water birds, including coots, moorhens, shelduck, mallard and geese.

The gardens were created in 1825 when Buckingham House was transformed into a palace. The new royal residence needed a suitably private garden and George IV appointed William Townsend Aiton, who was in charge of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, to oversee the remodelling of the grounds. The north side occupied part of the original site of a mulberry garden laid out by James I in 1609.

Last year 300,000 visitors paid to tour the palace. This year the charge is £11 for adults, £9 for over-60s, and £5.50 for under-17s. The money goes toward conservation of the royal collection. The Prince of Wales has been known to greet visitors, but those hoping to glimpse the Queen will be disappointed -- as usual she will be on holiday at Balmoral.
/ENDS
Source: Buckingham Palace