The British are obsessed with their gardens. Each year they spend almost billions on them, trimming hedges and flower beds to an OCD level. They love mucking about in their green patches, looking for ways to manipulate and control nature to create their own versions of paradise. Garden tours are a big part of tourism in England, where you can visit the biggest ones, and immerse yourself in the splendour of flower-laden gardens in full bloom.
The latest to join the bandwagon is the East Terrace Garden in Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of Britain&rsquos Queen Elizabeth. It is now open to the public for the first time in more than 40 years. Visitors can view the gardens where the Queen spent the last few months of Britain&rsquos pandemic-induced lockdown before travelling to Scotland, during the weekends of August and September. The garden is known for the 3,500 rose bushes around the central fountain.
Windsor Castle, said to be the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, had shut its doors on March 21 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was later opened on July 23 with strict safety guidelines. The palace including the Queen&rsquos galleries is now open for a maximum of 15 visitors who can book the tour in advance.
Windsor Castle was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. It was in the 17th century that Charles II decided to create the terrace to protect the castle walls. He also put in bowling lawns over it. In 1824, the bowling alleys were replaced with the first garden, during the reign of George IV. Later, the gardens were extensively remodelled into its current appearance in 1971 by Prince Philip.
The gardens also have a war story to tell. During World War II, it was completely dug up to plant vegetables. Young Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret had two separate plots in it where they grew sweet corns and tomatoes as part of the war efforts.