Through four centuries the Royal Family has created splendid gardens, many of which led the field in the garden design of their day. From Charles II's grand vision at Hampton Court to the sombre seclusion of Queen Victoria's Windsor and Prince Charles' "green" garden at Highgrove, they reflect the personalities of the kings, queens, princes and princesses who created them. Accompanying a six-part BBC 2 series, this book takes the reader through some of Britain's royal gates to look at stately avenues, sumptuous borders, fountains, lakes, follies and secret corners beyond. It shows what some famous public spaces, such as St James's Park, were like when they were private gardens, and also examines today's gardens at Sandringham, Windsor, Buckingham Palace, Highgrove and the Queen Mother's homes at the Castle of Mey and Royal Lodge, Birkhall. The author's books include "The English Renaissance Garden in England", "Lost Treasures of Britain" and "Small Period Gardens", as well as many others on garden design, English Renaissance art and the image of the monarchy.