We spent part of today touring around Balmoral Castle, it was magnificent!  People are only allowed to see one of the rooms in the actual castle, but you are free to stroll all around the gardens, view the castle exterior from all angles up close.

One of the tour guides explained that during the months the queen retreats there no one is allowed to visit, but she has been known to go there, stay in one of the houses on the property and just show up where the visitors are!

We were told that there are now 55,000 acres belonging to the property. The gardens are truly beautiful. They grow all of their own vegetables for the Queens meals when she is in residence. I could just imagine her walking around the property and sitting on one of the many benches placed around the property.