Frogmore House, set in the magnificent
private Home Park of Windsor Castle, has
been a favoured royal retreat for over 300
years. Built in the 17th century, it was
purchased in 1792 for George III’s consort,
Queen Charlotte. Frogmore is no longer an
occupied royal residence but is frequently
used by the Royal Family for entertaining.
The garden and 18th-century lake were
largely the creation of Queen Charlotte, who
had a passionate interest in botany. Over
4,000 trees and shrubs were introduced to
create a model ‘picturesque’ landscape,
which in the last century was restored by
Queen Mary and enhanced for HM The Queen’s
Silver Jubilee. The historic plantings,
including tulip trees and redwoods, provide
a rich setting for the garden’s seasonal
variations. In summer, the 18th-century
Gothic Ruin, used by Queen Victoria as a
breakfast and reading room, is clothed in
wisteria.
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The gardens
at Frogmore.
Photographer: Derry Moore
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The garden theme is echoed within
Frogmore House itself. The Cross Gallery,
which spans the entire breadth of the
building, was painted with garlands of
flowers by Princess Elizabeth, daughter of
George III and Queen Charlotte. Mary Moser,
the renowned 18th-century flower painter,
decorated another of the rooms to resemble
an arbour open to the skies.
Many works by royal artists are on
display at Frogmore House. There are
drawings and fine porcelain painted by Queen
Charlotte’s eldest daughter, Princess
Charlotte; works by Victoria, Duchess of
Kent, who lived at Frogmore for many years,
and by her daughter, Queen Victoria; and
watercolours by Queen Victoria’s daughters,
the Princesses Victoria and Louise.
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The Colonade
Photo: Christopher Simon Sykes |
Frogmore is now particularly associated
with Queen Victoria. The charming gothic
Tea House and white-marble Indian Kiosk were
installed in the grounds during her reign.
Queen Victoria’s great affection for
Frogmore contributed to her decision to
break with royal tradition and build a
mausoleum for herself and her husband,
Prince Albert, in the garden. Described as
one of the most remarkable buildings of the
Victorian age, the Frogmore Mausoleum has a
richly decorated Renaissance-style interior,
dominated by the tomb of the royal couple.
Frogmore House, Garden and Mausoleum are
open on 15, 16, 17 May, Charity Garden Open
Days 10:00–17:30 (last admission 16:00) and
25, 26, 27 August, 10:00–17:30 (last
admission 16:00). The Mausoleum only is
open on 23 May, free admission 11:00–15:30.
Further information about admission prices
and access is available from
www.royalcollection.org.uk or 020 7766
7305
Private tours of Frogmore House for
pre-booked coach groups are available on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from
2 August to 29 September, 10:00-15:00.
Please telephone 020 7766 7321 or e-mail
groupbookings@royalcollection.org.uk for
further information.
