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Stepping into the garden at Buckingham Palace is rather like being allowed into a secret world. Hidden away behind high walls, this 39-acre plot is the largest private garden in the capital and until very recently the only outsiders who were allowed to see it were guests at the Royal Garden Parties. Since 2008 it’s been possible to visit the garden during the summer when the Queen is not in residence. A guided tour is accompanied by two Palace employees: one who does the talking, and another who makes sure you don’t take a sneaky plant cutting, or

disappear into the undergrowth. The tour is fascinating, with lots of historical titbits thrown in. You can imagine that at sunset the Queen might come out here and sit quietly on a bench, enjoying the tranquillity with a dog or two by her feet You can imagine that at sunset the Queen might come out here and sit quietly on a bench, enjoying the tranquillity with a dog or two by her feet When you first see the garden, it’s the vast size that strikes you. It’s so big you barely notice the helicopter landing pad, in use since the 1950s, or the tennis court where George VI played Wimbledon champion Fred Perry, and which has been used to stage charity matches with the likes of John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. Although the garden’s greatest glory is its trees – from the collection of mulberries to the oaks that marked the birth of each of the Queen’s children – there is a very pretty rose garden, more than 300 types of wild flowers, and in spring the elegant summerhouse is smothered in wisteria. The lake is a haven for birds. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-2361813/Discover-quirky-historical-nuggets-beauty-guided-tour-Buckingham-Palace-garden.html#ixzz3ojZaPgfe Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook