The gardens of the private residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are getting ready for autumn. Nature enthusiasts will be able to take part in an Autumn Garden Walk on select dates in September and October 2026.
Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has a long and complicated history. Although the origins of the estate date back to somewhere during the late middle ages, its ties with the royal family debut in 1848. At that time, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first stayed in the building before purchasing it in 1852 and extensively renovating it thereafter.
More recently, the castle was widely recognised as one of the favourite estates of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her family. The monarch spent her last days at Balmoral and died there on 8 September 2022. Upon her death, the estate was transmitted to King Charles III and in 2026, it is still the private residence of the monarch and Queen Camilla.
“To me Balmoral was always simply Paradise. A cross between Disney World and some sacred Druid grove. I was always too busy fishing, shooting, running up and down ‘the hill’ to notice anything off about the feng shui of the old castle. What I’m trying to say is, I was happy there,” Prince Harry wrote about the castle in his book ‘Spare’.
Since 2024, King Charles has been opening the estate more frequently to the public, both the exteriors and the interior. Now that His Majesty’s summer break is officially over, Balmoral Castle has announced it will be opening its doors again from Tuesday 29 September through to Sunday 1 November 2026.
“During our autumn opening we will be delighted to welcome visitors to Balmoral Castle and Estate, with wonderful experiences for all. From a chance to explore the stunning gardens to strolling through the estate grounds and relaxing with a delicious coffee in hand. With a wide range of experiences we are proud to be a top attraction for locals and visitors to Scotland alike, with opportunities for all ages and abilities,” the estate wrote in a statement on its website.
Those who are eager to discover Balmoral Castle will be able to do so in multiple ways. The general admission ticket, which costs €11.7 (£10), gives visitors all-day access to the gardens, including the Thistle maze, Celtic maze garden, and extensive new planting of trees, shrubs, and topiary throughout. The ticket also includes entry to the Castle Ballroom.
To experience the castle’s interiors, visitors can buy a €128 (£110) castle tour.
“Take a historical journey through some of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle. Our experienced guides will explain about the origins of the Castle and how it has been loved by generations of the Royal Family; from the purchase of the Balmoral Estate by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to the present day, where rooms within the Castle are used today by Their Majesties The King and Queen and members of the Royal Family,” Balmoral explains.
Moreover, Balmoral offers a range of more exclusive experiences such as a two-hour Land Rover tour through the gardens, woodlands, and historical monuments of the estate or an evening at Balmoral, including a 7-course dinner.
