Since purchasing Highgrove House in 1980, King Charles has famously transformed the neglected grounds into a 15-acre masterpiece of garden rooms, among them, the aptly named Carpet Garden.
King Charles’s Carpet Garden, hidden deep within Highgrove House's grounds, is a stunning walled retreat, designed to evoke the experience of stepping inside one of his treasured Turkish carpets.
The design draws inspiration from a sketch Charles made after years of admiring the ornate carpet in his Highgrove home, and pays homage to Islamic garden aesthetics: geometric symmetry, central water feature, scented plantings.
The garden first made its appearance at London's RHS Chelsea Flower Show back in 2021, receiving a Silver‑Gilt Medal (a first for a Royal entrant). Now, also known as the 'Paradise Garden,' it's one of the several themed 'garden rooms' at Highgrove. And, better yet, it's open to guests.
Shop the look
This outdoor solar power birdbath fountain is perfect for any garden or landscaped area with no need for an outlet. It can run on solar and battery backup power, so you'll never be without water. It's made of durable resin and fiberglass, meaning it's designed to stand the test of time.
Mosaics are a stand out feature in King Charles' Carpet Garden, but recreating its vibrancy doesn't need to be expensive. This beautiful ceramic tabletop stands out with its colorful floral medallion that draws from Moroccan-style tile designs. It brings a hint of Highgrove to even the smallest of patios.
A zoom into the Carpet Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show shows a series of terracotta urns, and this piece is a great way to get the look. I love how versatile it is to style. It looks stunning when filled with flowers or as a stand-alone piece anywhere in your garden.
What exactly makes the Carpet Garden so unique? Firstly, as mentioned, the space mimics the layout and symmetry of a traditional Turkish-style carpet, translating textile design into a horticultural context. Specifically, the plant beds represent the various motifs found in a woven rug, including borders, central medallions, and repeating patterns.
Those with an interest in traditional Islamic gardens may also recognise how it follows the 'chahar bagh' (four-part garden) layout, often used in Islamic gardens to symbolize paradise. It also has a strong geometric framework, divided by stone paths and the statement water feature that sits as the jewel of the King's garden.
The royal residence is open to the public from April until October every year, so if you find yourself around Gloucestershire, in England's south-west, you can see the Carpet Garden for yourself. It's one of many themed gardens around Highgrove, all designed with organic principles, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics in mind.
If you ever manage to see it for yourself, we expect it will resonate long after you leave Highgrove's grounds.
