We understand that visitors to Highgrove Gardens may have questions before their visit. We hope that the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, given below, will help with any queries you may have.
BOOKING AND TICKETS
How do I book a tour of the Gardens?
A range of tours is available, including Garden Tours, Champagne Tea Tours, Group Garden Tours and Private Tours.
All of our Garden Tours can be found here >>
During the year we also announce a range of exciting events which take place at Highgrove. To find out more and to be kept up-to-date, please sign up for our newsletter and/or follow us on social media.
@Facebook
@Twitter
@Instagram
Check Events and Workshops availability and book tickets here >>
Entry to the Gardens is by pre-booked e-ticket/ticket only.
• Garden Tours Buy e-tickets/tickets here >>
• Champagne Tea Tours Buy e-tickets/tickets here >>
• Group Garden Tours for Tour Operators/Organisers of Group Tours Buy e-tickets/tickets here >>
• Private Tours Buy e-tickets/tickets here >>
• Private Champagne Tea Tours Buy e-tickets/tickets here >>
My tickets have not arrived - what should I do?
E-tickets are now issued for Garden Tours and Events. These can be printed at home or shown on a mobile device when you arrive at Highgrove.
Please check your email inbox and junk/spam folder before querying missing e-tickets/tickets.
Is a visit inside Highgrove House included in tours?
No. Highgrove House is the private home of Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Camilla and is not open to the public.
Is there still a waiting list to visit the Gardens?
No. There is no longer a waiting list to visit the Gardens. E-tickets/tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be kept up-to-date with when e-tickets/tickets are available and when they go on sale, please subscribe to our newsletter >>
Is it possible to visit the Gardens without booking a Garden Tour or Event?
No. Only visitors with valid, pre-booked e-tickets/tickets for a Garden Tour or Event are allowed onto the Estate.
Can children attend a Garden Tour?
Unfortunately, Garden Tours and Events at Highgrove are not suitable for children under the age of nine. Children aged nine and over will be charged at the usual ticket rate.
Can I book a visit without a guided tour?
No. All Garden Tours at Highgrove are led by one of His Majesty The King's experienced garden guides.
I am unable to attend my Garden Tour. Please can I rebook?
FACILITIES AT HIGHGROVE
Is there a restaurant?
Yes. The Orchard Room will be serving a selection of freshly-made items and a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks for guests following their Garden Tours. Reservations are not necessary. Please note that The Orchard Tea Room is not open for guests prior to their tour. See Autumn Walks Orchard Room menu >>
Please Note: Starting April, our Restaurant will operate on set opening hours: open from 11:30 and closing at 17:30.
For Champagne Tea Tours and Events, please let us know one week before your visit if you have any special dietary requirements. Please email customerservices@highgrovegardens.com
More information about the Orchard Room can be found here >>
Do I need to book a table in the Orchard Room?
No. Bookings are not required for the Orchard Room.
Is there a picnic area at Highgrove?
No. There are no picnic areas at Highgrove Gardens or in the car park. Only food purchased at Highgrove may be consumed in the Orchard Room or on the Orchard Terrace.
Are there toilet facilities at Highgrove?
Yes. Toilets are available in the Orchard Room for use before and after your Garden Tour or Event. Please note that there are no toilet facilities within the gardens when you are on your Garden Tour.
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR VISIT
Directions to Highgrove
You can view and download directions to Highgrove here >>
Do you require our vehicle registration prior to arriving?
No. We do not need to know your vehicle registration number.
My tickets were purchased as a gift and are in another name. Will I still be able to gain entry?
Yes. Please present your e-tickets/tickets upon arrival and give both your name and the purchaser's name when checking in.
Do you require all individual guest names prior to attending?
No. We only require the name of the lead member of your booking party. However, all visitors must carry photographic identification such as a passport, driving licence, or bus pass.
ON THE DAY
Can you give me directions to Highgrove?
Directions to Highgrove can be found here >>
You can also download and print the Highgrove map and directions here >>
Note: Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your Garden Tour/ Event to allow time for security checks.
Do tours go ahead in bad weather?
Gardens tours and events aim to continue in all weathers unless we have to close for safety reasons.
If severe weather, such as heavy snow, serious flooding or very strong winds, is forecast for the day of your visit, we will endeavour to notify you of any changes as early as possible via email or text.
What documentation do I need to bring with me on the day?
All visitors must have pre-booked e-tickets/tickets for entry onto the Estate, as well as photo identification such as a passport, driving licence, or bus pass.
Accessibility
Due to the landscape and nature of the Gardens, wheelchairs and mobility scooters should be the type well suited to rough, uneven ground, gravel and rugged pathways. Some surfaces may also be slippery when wet. We suggest wearing sturdy shoes or wellington boots and suitable outdoor clothing, especially in wet weather.
If you have any disability access concerns, please contact our Customer Services team to discuss your requirements. Please email customerservices@highgrovegardens.com.
Wheelchairs are not available to hire, but guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchair to Highgrove. Please ensure that it is suitable for uneven/gravelled ground (see above). Wheelchair users must also be accompanied by a strong companion.
What clothing/shoes should I wear?
If your visit includes a Garden Tour, we recommend sturdy footwear, as some paths are unmade or cobbled. Tours continue in wet weather, so weatherproof shoes or wellington boots and suitable weatherproof clothing are also recommended.
Can I hire a wheelchair/mobility scooter?
No. However, the Gardens are wheelchair and mobility scooter-friendly, and you are welcome to bring your own. A local company, Optimum Mobility of Malmesbury, can arrange the hire of mobility scooters and will deliver the scooter to Highgrove in advance of your tour.
The route through the gardens includes some paths which are unmade, gravelled or cobbled. Please make sure that your wheelchair or mobility scooter is suitable for uneven terrain. Wheelchair users must be accompanied by a strong companion.
I need assistance. May I bring an access companion/carer with me?
Yes. Access companion tickets allow disabled visitors who need assistance to bring a carer or essential companion with them, free of charge, to help them on their Garden Tour.
To arrange a booking that includes an access companion e-ticket/ticket, please contact Customer Services customerservices@highgrovegardens.com
If your visit is an event that includes a Garden Tour, access companion tickets are charged at the advertised price less the cost of the garden tour element.
Please note, access companion tickets are not available for guests who are able to drive their own mobility scooter. They are available for guests who bring a wheelchair.
Do you assist those who are Deaf or hard of hearing?
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing and would like to use a hearing induction neck loop that can be used with an existing hearing aid switched to the T position, please contact Customer Services at customerservices@highgrovegardens.com to check availability.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are not permitted onto the Estate (except service and assistance dogs).
We recommend that, if possible, service or assistance dogs wear a jacket or lead slip to identify them as working.
Staff reserve the right to ask visitors to remove their animal if it is deemed not to be behaving appropriately.
Please contact Customer Services at customerservices@highgrovegardens.com before your visit if you will be accompanied by a service or aassistance dog.
Dogs must not be left in your vehicle during your Garden Tour/Event.
Mobile phones, cameras, binoculars, tablet and laptop computers
The use of mobile phones and cameras (including dash cam recording) is restricted to certain areas of the Estate which will be explained to you on entry. Binoculars, tablet and laptop computers and all forms of recording equipment are not permitted for security reasons.
Random bag checks may be carried out for security reasons.
Smoking
Smoking, including vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on the Estate.
We are running late - can we attend a later tour?
Garden Tours and Events run to a strict timetable.
In case of an emergency or if you are running late on the day of your tour, please refer to the contact information on your ticket.
We will do our best to accommodate you on a later tour if space is available, but this may not be possible as most tours run at full capacity.
We are arriving in separate cars - do we need to arrive together?
No. However, please make sure that each member of your booking has a copy of the pre-booked e-ticket/ticket to show on arrival to gain entry to the Estate.
I am arriving by taxi / being driven to Highgrove - can the driver drop me off and pick me up?
Yes. However, please make sure that your taxi driver/driver knows your full name. They will need to give this at the gate so that they are allowed to re-enter the Estate to collect you. Please also keep a note of your taxi driver/driver's contact details. We strongly advise visitors to book their return journey at the time of arrival. It is extremely difficult to find local taxi firms on the day.
Is there a bus that drops me close to the entrance of Highgrove?
Public transport is limited in Tetbury. Unfortunately, there is no regular bus service that will drop you outside Highgrove.
Is it safe to walk to Highgrove from Tetbury?
Highgrove is two miles from Tetbury. The road can be very busy, and there is no continuous pavement. For safety reasons, we do not recommend arriving on foot.
I am coming to the area by train - do I need to book a taxi?
Yes. Kemble is the nearest railway station to Highgrove. Stroud and Chippenham are further away but still accessible. We strongly recommend that you pre-book a taxi from and back to the station before your journey. Depending on which station you use, please check its website for details of local taxi companies. Allow three hours in total for your visit at Highgrove. Most Garden Tours are 1½ hours long, and guests usually spend additional time visiting the Orchard Tea Room and Estate Shop.
Can I leave my luggage with you during my Garden Tour?
Unfortunately, because of space constraints and security rules, it is not possible to leave luggage with us during your Garden Tour / Event.
A member of my party has forgotten their identification - can they still attend?
Please refer to the contact information on your ticket or email visitorservices@highgrovegardens.com
Can I park my motorhome/campervan?
Motorhomes/campervans which are no longer than six metres can be accommodated in the car park. If your motorhome/campervan is longer than this, please discuss this with Customer Services before your visit. Please email customerservices@highgrovegardens.com
Unfortunately, cars towing caravans are not permitted on the Estate.
THE ORCHARD ROOM
Can I change my footwear after my Garden Tour and before I have tea?
Yes. You are welcome to return to your vehicle to change your footwear after your Garden Tour and before going into the Orchard Room.
Can I dine in the Orchard Room before my tour?
No. The Orchard Room is only available for customer use after their Garden Tour.
Can I access the Orchard Room without an admittance ticket?
Regrettably, the Orchard Room is only open to visitors with an e-ticket/ticket for a Garden Tour or Event.
Can I book a table?
You do not need to book a table in the Orchard Room. We have plenty of seating for all guests attending each day.
What will be on the menu?
Do you cater for specific dietary needs?
Yes. We will ensure specific dietary requirements are met if you notify Customer Services at least one week before your Garden Tour/Event. Please email customerservices@highgrovegardens.com
Can I bring a birthday cake?
Yes. Please let Customer Services know before the day of your visit by emailing customerservices@highgrovegardens.com
THE GARDENS
When is the best time of year to visit the Gardens?
The Gardens offer an ever-changing landscape throughout the year, so there is always something new to see. For regular updates on what is happening and in flower each month, please visit our social media pages:
@Facebook
@Twitter
@Instagram
When is the best time to see the Wildflower Meadow in bloom?
The Wildflower Meadow is usually flowering from late April until early June. However, this is heavily weather dependent. Many visitors return throughout the year, as the changing seasons mean there is always something new to see.
