Postcards from gardens past
Explore the gardens of Hampton Court Palace, Kew Palace and Kensington Palace through Victorian, Edwardian and early 20th-century photography.
Three Graces in the Hampton Court Palace Gardens (Early 20th century) by Walter L BourkeHistoric Royal Palaces
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace’s world-famous gardens include 60 acres of spectacular formal gardens and 750 acres (304 hectares) of parkland, all set within a loop of the River Thames.
The gardens are home to the world's oldest puzzle maze, a record-breaking grape vine, three National Plant Collections and a huge variety of wildlife, including the descendants of Henry VIII's deer herd.
The Great Vine house (Late 19th century) by Underwood & Underwood (active 1881-1940s)Historic Royal Palaces
The Great Vine
Late 19th century
The Great Fountain Garden, Hampton Court Palace (Early 20th century)Historic Royal Palaces
Autumn in the Great Fountain Garden
Early 20th century
The Maze, Hampton Court Palace (1900)Historic Royal Palaces
Attendant at the Hampton Court Maze
1900
Great Gatehouse and West Front, Hampton Court Palace (Pre-1909) by WS LincolnHistoric Royal Palaces
The Great Gatehouse and the west front
Pre-1909
Grace-and-favour residents, Hampton Court Palace (1905) by Madeline Helen KeyesHistoric Royal Palaces
Frank and Mary Stirling in the Pond Gardens
From an album of photographs taken by Madeline Helen Keyes, a grace-and-favour resident.
1905
Grace-and-favour residents and 'Bat' the dog, Hampton Court Palace (1903) by Madeline Helen KeyesHistoric Royal Palaces
Mrs Oliver, Fergus and 'Bat' in the palace grounds
From an album of photographs taken by Madeline Helen Keyes, a grace-and-favour resident.
1903
A grace-and-favour resident gardening, Hampton Court Palace (1904) by Madeline Helen KeyesHistoric Royal Palaces
Evelyn K F, a grace-and-favour resident, gardening in the Flower Quarter of the Pond Gardens
From an album of photographs taken by Madeline Helen Keyes.
1904
Rosemary Keyes, Hampton Court Palace (1907) by Madeline KeyesHistoric Royal Palaces
Rosemary Keyes in Base Court
From an album of photographs taken by Madeline Helen Keyes, a grace-and-favour resident.
1907
The Privy Garden, Hampton Court Palace (Early 20th century)Historic Royal Palaces
Visitors in the Privy Garden
Early 20th century
The Maze, Hampton Court Palace (20th century)Historic Royal Palaces
The Maze
Early 20th century
Great Fountain Garden, Hampton Court Palace (1909)Historic Royal Palaces
The Great Fountain Garden
1909
Great Fountain Garden, Hampton Court Palace (Early 20th century)Historic Royal Palaces
The Great Fountain Garden
Early 20th century
Three Graces in the Hampton Court Palace Gardens (Early 20th century) by Walter L BourkeHistoric Royal Palaces
The Great Fountain Garden and Three Graces statue
Early 20th century
The Three Graces and Long Water, Hampton Court Palace (1920s)Historic Royal Palaces
The Long Water and Three Graces statue
1920s
Lion Gate, Hampton Court Palace (1920s) by HM Office of WorksHistoric Royal Palaces
Lion Gate
1920s
Privy Garden, Hampton Court Palace (c.1930)Historic Royal Palaces
The Privy Garden
1930
A View of the Lawn from the Palace (1750-1779) by William WoollettHistoric Royal Palaces
Kew Palace
Royal Kew was transformed during George III's lifetime. His mother Augusta created a world-garden, including the Great Pagoda, which became the foundation of Kew Gardens.
George had inherited his parents' passion for architecture and gardens, and as King he later demolished his childhood home at Kew, where he had been locked away by his doctors.
Postcard of Kew Palace (1900)Historic Royal Palaces
The palace from the south
1900
The Great Pagoda at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Pre-1915)Historic Royal Palaces
The Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens
Pre-1915
Kew Palace in the early 20th century (1832) by Gale and Polden LimitedHistoric Royal Palaces
Kew Palace
Early 20th century
The White Tower, Tower of London (2014) by Paolo FerlaHistoric Royal Palaces
The Tower of London
Every night, when the gates to William the Conqueror's mighty stone fortress are locked, the Tower of London embraces a thriving community inside - and outside - its walls.
The Tower is still home to the Yeomen Warders and their families, the Resident Governor, and a garrison of soldiers, all of whom have the famous Tower moat in their back yard.
Yeoman Warders and Chelsea Pensioners, Tower of London (1929)Historic Royal Palaces
Yeoman Warders and Chelsea Pensioners playing bowls
1929
Yeoman Warders 'dig for victory' in the Tower of London moat (1945)Historic Royal Palaces
Yeoman Warders 'digging for victory' in the Tower Moat
1945
Find out more and visit the gardens in our care at the Historic Royal Palaces website.
