Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Using Heritage Science to Conserve Queen Caroline's State Bed
13 September 2024
Work on Queen Caroline’s much-loved State bed, which we care for on behalf of the Royal Collection Trust, continues at Hampton Court Palace and our attentions are now drawn to protecting the feet of this priceless historic object.
A tour of Kew's Kitchen Garden
10 September 2019
Like Kew Palace and the Royal Kitchens, the Kitchen Garden is open seasonally to visitors, from April to October. But work in the garden continues all year round. Let's take a tour...
Displaying Queen Mary II's Exoticks Collection
28 August 2019
You may well have heard of Queen Mary II's Exoticks Collection or seen the plants in the gardens or in the glasshouse nurseries at Hampton Court. If you haven't, here is a brief description so you'll know what to look out for on your next visit.
Renewable energy meets conservation: the Hydro House at Hillsborough
19 August 2019
To the very north of the park at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, for the adventurous visitor prepared to explore the Perimeter Walk, is the Hydro House. Historic Royal Palaces restored and re-commissioned the Hydro House in 2017 and it now produces enough electricity to continuously power 100 mobile phones!
Dahlia season at Hampton Court Palace
14 August 2019
July marks the start of the dahlia season, but it is as the days grow shorter that these flamboyant plants come into their own, providing a spectacular display of extravagant flowers until the first frosts.
Herbs through history: from the Tudors to today
29 July 2019
Central to the Kitchen Garden at Hampton Court is its collection of herbs, and they are looking at their best in the summer. While many of them are familiar, some unusual ones have had some fascinating uses throughout history.
Wildflowers bloom at Kensington Palace
05 July 2019
After a lot of hard work this winter by the gardens team at Kensington Palace, the fruits of their labour can now be seen in the wildflower meadow.
Hay-making with Two Hampton Court Shire Horses
18 September 2015
The tradition of hay-making is being kept alive at Kensington Palace thanks to Tom and Murdoch, a pair of Shire Horses from Hampton Court Palace.