Spring blooms in Hampton Court Palace gardens

Although it was mostly cloudy, windy and grey today the wilderness gardens at Hampton Court Palace,  on the River Thames, still looked fabulous.  They are probably at their best right now and quite beautiful.

 The wilderness garden 

While I was visiting the palace with a friend we also wandered around the formal gardens. They are splendid and cost a fortune to maintain.  The gardeners at the palace do a fabulous job.

 A view from The Privy Garden

The restored Knot Gardens are inspirational and we were impressed by the lovely spring planting. When you consider that we've suffered several months of torrential rain it is so good to see such a colourful display.

Left, left and then I think I was meant to turn right . . .

It was so funny to see this female mallard seemingly confused at where she was meant to go in the Knot Garden.  To her it was just like the Hampton Court Maze for ducks!  Of course she has the edge over humans.  She can always get an aerial view of her location.