While Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have Clarence House as their home in London, Highgrove House is their country home. The Grade II listed property lies in the stunning scenery of the Cotswolds, near to Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
The building dates back to the late eighteenth century. Highgrove House was built in 1796 to 1798, in a Georgian neo-classical design on the site of an older property, by John Paul Paul. The surrounding estate was acquired by the the family through the marriage in 1771 of Josiah Paul Tippetts later Paul to the heiress Mary Clark. It remained in the ownership of their descendants until 1860. In 1850 their granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Paul died after her ballgown caught fire in the ballroom. The house was sold again in 1864 to a barrister , William Yatman, who rebuilt the spire of Tetbury church. Yatman ceased to live at Highgrove after a fire which occured in 1893 and gutted the interior and damaged the west façade, where a window collapsed onto the terrace, bringing down the wall above.
The house was rebuilt by Arthur Mitchell, the Conservative politician, Maurice Macmillan, the son of former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan sold Highgrove to Lt Col. Gwyn Morgan after World War II.
Prior to his marriage to Lady Diana Spencer, Charles, Prince of Wales had looked at a number of properties before he purchased Highgrove with funds from the Duchy of Cornwall. He was especially taken by the 200-year-old Cedar of Lebanon to the west of the house. Esential repairs were carried out, the interior was redecorated and an organic farm was established in the grounds. The swimming pool at Highgrove was given to The Prince and Princess of Wales as a wedding present from the British Army. The two princes spent a large part of their childhood at Highgrove and locals became accustomed to seeing Princess Diana and her sons.
Highgrove was initially occupied at weekends by Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and their two children, Prince William and Prince Harry. It is now occupied by the prince and his second wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Highgrove is now famous for its beautiful gardens which stretch over 15 acres. Charles was initially assisted in his creation of Highgrove's gardens by Miriam Rothschild. The Prince of Wales has created a formal garden, a wild garden, and a walled kitchen garden at Highgrove. He has also planted a large number of trees in the grounds. Individual features in the gardens include the Carpet Garden, Southern Hemisphere Garden, Walled Garden, the Autumn Walk, Sundial Garden, and a Woodland Garden featuring two classical temples made from green oak and a stumpery.
Pre-booked tours of the gardens are available to individuals and groups, between April and mid-October.
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