Garden to Open at Hampton Court

The Privy Garden at Hampton Court, much altered over the centuries and last laid out by King William III, will open to the public Friday after extensive renovation.

In 1689, King William and Queen Mary commissioned architect Christopher Wren--best known for his design of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London--to build new apartments for them at Hampton Court. The Privy Garden was designed to complement the buildings.

William wanted to see the River Thames from his new apartments and ordered the south end of the garden to be lowered by about eight feet. Using paintings, drawings, invoices and archeological evidence, restoration workers have been able to tell what was planted and where. In addition, the only surviving elements from William’s day--12 wrought-iron embossed panels decorated with gold leaf by Jean Tijou--are being painstakingly restored.