Tetbury offers a wild diversity of beautiful landscapes, as well as an exceptionally-preserved ancient town
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The idyllic Cotswold town of Tetbury, is home to many wonders – but perhaps most notably the private residence of Britain's new monarch. King Charles III has been based at Highgrove House, just over the Wiltshire border since 1980, first with Princess Diana until their split and then the Camilla, the Queen Consort.
His ascension to the throne could see Buckingham Palace become their new official residence, although experts have speculated that the King will continue to use Highgrove as his base, as this is where he feels he can be himself, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Originally built in a Georgian Neoclassical style between 1796 and 1798, Highgrove has been a Cotswolds destination since the royal couple moved there over 40 years ago. His Majesty has made no secret of his devotion to the property, recently launching a brand new perfume inspired by the gardens, sold at £152 a pop.
READ MORE: Prince Charles launches perfume inspired by the 'magnificent fragrance' of Highgrove Gardens
The King's estate now attracts about 30,000 people a year, following decades of dedicated care taken to transform the house and gardens on organic principles. Beyond His Majesty's home, Tetbury, located a short drive from Malmesbury offers a wild diversity of beautiful landscapes, as well as an exceptionally preserved ancient town, with weaver's cottages and cobbled streets.
This beautiful town has been widely recognised as a place of architectural interest boasting a picturesque Market House at its heart speaking to the town's wool trade heritage. The quaint marketplace continues to host farmer's markets and other events, as the focal point of the town. Tetbury has a recorded history of over 1300 years, reaching back to the time of an ancient hill fort in the middle ages.
It's no secret that the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has become somewhat of a celebrity hotspot, playing host to the like of the Beckhams, Eddie Redmayne, Jamie Dornan and Jeremy Clarkson. It's certainly conceivable, why the King would not want to ditch his private home of 40 years, in one of the most sought-after areas of the country.
The King's former butler, Grant Harrold has also speculated that Charles will not be able to "walk away" from the home he spent decades creating because it's where he can be an ordinary man. The Duchy of Cornwall bought Highgrove for the then Prince of Wales in 1980 and he lived there with his first wife Diana and their children, princes William and Harry, until their divorce.
After he married Queen Consort Camilla in 2005 they made Highgrove their family home, even though she kept her own Wiltshire estate Ray Mill. The King has transformed the house and gardens on organic principles and now attracts around 30,000 people a year to the grounds. However the Princes Foundation has taken over the gardens and he recently gave up his lease on neighbouring Home Farm as his kingly duties increased.
Highgrove is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall which belongs to the Prince of Wales, now Prince William. But William moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor over the summer and is not expected to move to his childhood home with wife Kate Middleton and their three children.
Some reports suggest King Charles lll would have to pay Prince William £700,000 a year rent to stay on at the property, but others suggest he could give it as a gift to his father. He and Queen Consort Camilla could move into Buckingham Palace after a 10-year renovation project, which due to finish in 2027, or just carry on using it as an office.
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