History Features

Prince Charles and Princess Diana took up residence at Highgrove House soon after they were married in 1981.

The purchase added to the nation's speculation that the Prince was considering marriage.

Highgrove became the first home for Charles and Diana's young sons Princes William and Harry and they spent much of their early years on the estate prior to starting school.

Princess Diana is reported to have made many shopping trips to neighbouring Tetbury and Cirencester during her years at Highgrove and locals became used to seeing her and the young Princes out and about in the area.

Diana left Highgrove in the 1990s

Diana officially moved out of Highgrove following the breakdown of her marriage to Charles in the early 1990s.

Highgrove remains the official residence of Prince Charles. He has used the 37-acre estate to promote his interest in organic farming and gardening.

The Prince is well known for his love of nature and in his book Highgrove: Portrait of an Estate he writes: "I had absolutely no experience of gardening or farming, and the only trees I had planted had been official ones in very official holes.

"I knew I wanted to take care of the place in a very personal way and to leave it one day, in a far better condition than I found it".

He is reputed to have spent £500,000 on the gardens at Highgrove taking advice on plants and design from famous garden expert Rosemary Verey of nearby Barnsley House before her death in the late 1990s.

Highgrove featured in a BBC Natural World TV documentary narrated by David Attenborough in January 2003.

Highgrove - a Prince's Legacy focused on a year in the life of the garden and estate farm and Prince Charles' efforts to make it a showcase for traditional and organic growing methods.

Prince Charles lives at Highgrove

There has long been keen public interest in the gardens. Unfortunately the private grounds are only occasionally open, and to organised groups of visitors - and there is a waiting list of up to five years.

Anyone interested in a visit must apply in writing to:

The Prince of Wales Office
St James' Palace
London
SW1A 1AA

The house is built in the Georgian classical style was constructed by the Paul family of Stroud, Gloucestershire some time between 1796 and 1798.

It is a rectangular three-storey building with nine bedrooms, four reception rooms, eight bathrooms and a nursery wing.