Gatcombe Park facts for kids

Gatcombe Park as seen from the village of Avening

Gatcombe Park is a special country home in England. It belongs to Anne, Princess Royal, who is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. The house is located in Gloucestershire, between the small villages of Minchinhampton and Avening. It is about five miles (8 km) south of Stroud and six miles (10 km) north of Highgrove. Highgrove is another royal residence, which belongs to King Charles III.

What is Gatcombe Park?

Gatcombe Park is a large country estate. It is not just a house but also has lots of land around it. The Princess Royal uses it as her private home. This means it is not usually open to the public like some other royal palaces.

Who lives at Gatcombe Park?

The main resident of Gatcombe Park is Anne, Princess Royal. She is a senior member of the British Royal Family. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, also lives there. Princess Anne's children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, grew up at Gatcombe Park. They and their families still live nearby on the estate.

A Home for Horses and Events

Gatcombe Park is famous for its love of horses. Princess Anne is a skilled horse rider. Her daughter, Zara Tindall, is also a very successful equestrian. She even won a silver medal at the Olympics!

The estate often hosts important horse riding events. The most well-known is the Festival of British Eventing. This competition brings together top riders and their horses. It is a big event in the equestrian world. People come from all over to watch show jumping, cross-country, and dressage.

History of Gatcombe Park

Gatcombe Park was built a long time ago. The main house was finished in 1774. It was designed by a famous architect named George Basevi. He was known for creating beautiful buildings.

How the Royal Family acquired it

The British Royal Family bought Gatcombe Park in 1976. It was purchased for Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. They moved into the house in November 1977. The estate was bought with money from the Crown Estate. This is a special property collection that belongs to the monarch.

Location and Surroundings

Gatcombe Park is in a beautiful part of England. The area is known for its rolling hills and green countryside. It is part of the Cotswolds, which is a protected area of natural beauty.

Nearby Villages and Towns

The estate is close to several small villages. Minchinhampton and Avening are its closest neighbors. These villages have a quiet, traditional English feel. The larger town of Stroud is also nearby. Stroud offers more shops and services.

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  Gatcombe Park