The Isle of Wight's Osborne House has been named one of the best historic autumn garden views in the country by English Heritage.
“It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,” said Queen Victoria of Osborne, her family home on the Isle of Wight.
A place where Victoria and Prince Albert could be away from the public gaze, Osborne's gardens were where the royal couple enjoyed private family life.
Here they took walks together, grew vegetables with their children, and planted hundreds of trees.
The trees are of particular interest with autumn colour lasting until the end of the year, and during October many species of rare and unusual fungi can be seen opening up on the lawns and among fallen leaves.
The harvest of historic fruit and vegetables from both the children's gardens at the Swiss Cottage and the walled garden are also on display, showing Victorian 'tastes' at their most bountiful.
Beautiful autumn garden landscapes enjoyed by Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin and Capability Brown have been included in the final list, published today (Monday).
English Heritage’s Best Historic Autumn Views and famous residents
Osborne House — Queen Victoria
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex — Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown
Home of Charles Darwin, Down House, Kent — Charles Darwin
Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens, North Yorkshire — Gertrude Bell
Walmer Castle, Kent — The Queen Mother
Christopher Weddell, English Heritage’s Senior Gardens Advisor, said:
“The historic gardens in our care are among the finest in the country and provide magnificent views of autumn colour for our visitors today as they did for their famous residents.
"Thanks to a particularly scorching summer we could have one of the best autumn displays in recent years.
"The recent cooler weather is already transforming the green to beautiful oranges, browns and reds; enough to get out your paint brush and canvas and paint the picture-perfect views like Queen Victoria did when she stayed at her Isle of Wight home in Osborne."
New gilded frames at the five properties will be put in place until the end of October.
More information about the gardens tours is available online.