A historic garden at Windsor Castle, transformed according to the King's vision and inspired by the planet Venus, is set to open to visitors this summer. The newly renamed and redesigned Venus Garden, located beneath the royal residence's iconic east facade, reflects Charles' passion for patterns found in nature.
A Garden with a Celestial Design
The space, first used as a garden in the 1820s during the reign of George IV, now features a layout derived from the petal-shaped orbit of Earth's closest planetary neighbour. Over eight years, Venus's orbit creates a geometric floral pattern, often called the Pentagram of Venus or the Rose of Venus. This motif has inspired the arrangement of new perennial beds and pathways lined with evergreen hedges in the former East Terrace Garden. Visitors will be able to wander through these pathways from July 16 to September 13.
A Project of Transformation
Adam Scott, gardens and nursery manager at Windsor Castle, said: 'This has been a significant project to reshape this historic garden for the future, reflecting His Majesty's vision to create a space that will offer beauty, interest and biodiversity throughout the seasons and for generations to come.' He added: 'After around 18 months of careful transformation, we are delighted to open the Venus Garden to visitors this summer, marking the start of an important new chapter in the garden's 200-year history.'
Historical Layers
The site has a rich past. It was once King Charles II's bowling green, and later Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert took an interest in its planting. During the Second World War, the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret used it as an allotment. The King's father, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, later simplified the layout into formal rose beds and commissioned a central fountain.
Enhanced Planting and Biodiversity
Inspired by Charles, the space now features an enhanced intricate planting scheme that offers year-round structure and long blooming periods with mixed perennials, roses, and 11,000 spring bulbs. Wildflower meadows, dotted with trees and threaded with pathways, introduce softer, more naturalistic areas within the formal layout. This creates a biodiverse haven for wildlife and insects, reflecting the King's longstanding commitment to sustainability.
What Visitors Can See
Visitors to the castle's terrace will also see new avenues of pear trees, topiary yew shrubs, bronze Hubert Le Sueur figure sculptures made for Charles I from the Royal Collection, as well as large-scale marble, bronze, and stone vases and other garden ornaments. The area has only intermittently been open to the public throughout its history, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy impressive views of the castle's east facade, seldom seen as part of the usual visitor route.
Access and Tickets
Access to the Venus Garden is included with a standard ticket to Windsor Castle between July 16 and September 13, at no extra charge. People receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits can visit the castle and explore the garden with up to five members of their household through the Royal Collection Trust's £1 ticket scheme.
