For the first time since 2019, Frogmore House and Garden, the charming royal retreat set within Windsor Castle’s magnificent Home Park, will open to the public for three days as part of the annual charity garden open days.
Built in the 17th century, Frogmore House became a royal residence in 1792 when it was purchased by Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III. Since then, successive monarchs have enjoyed the tranquil surroundings and delightful interiors. Although it is no longer an occupied royal residence, Frogmore House is frequently used by the Royal Family for private entertaining.
The interior of Frogmore House bears testimony to the interests and talents of the generations of the royal family who have resided there. Queen Charlotte and her daughters’ passions for art and botany are reflected throughout the house, and works by the Duchess of Kent, who lived at Frogmore for almost 20 years, and those by her daughter Queen Victoria can be seen on display.
The 35-acre gardens at Frogmore House have been an enduring attraction for monarchs and their families since the house was first purchased. Laid out for Queen Charlotte in the 1790s, they are based on a model ‘picturesque’ landscape, with winding lakes, wooded mounds, glades, walks and bridges. In 1867 Queen Victoria wrote, ‘this dear lovely garden…all is peace and quiet and you only hear the hum of the bees, the singing of the birds.’
The design and planting scheme of the gardens today incorporates additions made under the direction of Queen Victoria and Queen Mary, as well as a number of trees and shrubs added to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. Today, visitors can enjoy gentle garden walks and views of Queen Victoria’s Tea House and the 18th-century lake.
The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and The Channel Islands and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, the National Garden Scheme has donated over £63 million to nursing and health charities, and from garden visits in 2021 was able to make a donation of £3 million. Beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson’s UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute. To book tickets to visit the garden at Frogmore House on Tuesday, 30 August, visit www.ngs.org.uk/frogmore-house-gardens.
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, said, ‘Everyone at the National Garden Scheme is immensely grateful to Her Majesty The Queen in this very special year for so generously continuing to give our charity an open day in the garden of Frogmore House. It is a highlight in our annual calendar when visitors are privileged to have rare access to this important and romantic landscape garden. The open day will make a major contribution to the funds we raise for our nursing and health beneficiaries.’
Wednesday, 31 August – Mothers’ Union
Mothers’ Union is an international charity, with four million grassroots members across 84 countries working together to support and empower the world’s hardest-to-reach families and communities to solve their own challenges and build brighter futures. With kindness, courage and compassionate action, all of Mothers’ Union’s work seeks to combat poverty, injustice and violence worldwide. They work with people facing everyday challenges, as well as in times of crisis, to help them overcome inequality and transform their lives. No two projects are the same, because every community is different, so they ensure every project is created by and for that community – they can achieve this because they are at the heart of every community they support. To book tickets to visit the garden at Frogmore House on Wednesday, 31 August, visit visitfrogmore.eventbrite.co.uk.
Bev Juillien, CEO, Mothers’ Union, said, ‘The worldwide membership of Mothers’ Union is immensely grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for so generously offering these wonderful gardens to benefit our work, in this special jubilee year. The funds raised from the open gardens at Frogmore House will help continue our vital work around the world – with every project we are part of helping to end poverty and injustice, giving communities the skills they need to thrive.’
Thursday, 1 September – Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs is here to help the two million people in the UK living with sight loss live the life they choose. Children and adults. Friends and family. Their expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are there to help people affected by sight loss live actively, independently and well. Founded in 1934, following their first partnership in 1931, they are a charity that is almost entirely dependent on donations. To book tickets to visit the garden at Frogmore House on Thursday, 1 September, visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/frogmore-house-open-garden/.
Denise Clark, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager at Guide Dogs, said, ‘We’re so pleased to be involved with the Frogmore House charity days this year and we look forward to seeing everyone there. We hope that people take the chance to appreciate the beauty and history of the gardens while supporting the work that we do to help people with sight loss gain independence.’