King Charles recently gave readers of Country Life a rare peek into the evolving gardens at Sandringham, and one thing seriously stood out: the sense of quiet elegance that is woven throughout every path and his life in general. Nothing screams quiet luxury quite like the British royal family and their regal gardens.
From the Magnolia Walk (what a name!) to the sculpted topiary, Sandringham’s winter landscape shows that Christmas beauty does not require flashing lights or an inflatable snowman; it’s much subtler. Sometimes the most elegant touch is a thoughtfully designed outdoor walkway that feels festive while still being rooted in nature.
You can bring a bit of royal magic into your own garden this Christmas, and you don’t need acres and acres of land or a team of gardeners to achieve it. A simple garden path or “winter promenade” can echo the charm of Sandringham using evergreens, berries, lanterns, and subtle lighting.
Start With Evergreen Structure
As with every garden, from a small one to the Sandringham estate, the appeal comes from the “bones.” What is that exactly? The evergreens, of course. These shape the garden all season long and become especially important during the colder months when many flowers are dormant. You can steal this idea by placing small shrubs or potted topiary along your walkway if you have one, or simply on your porch.
Compact options like dwarf spruces or boxwoods stay green all winter long and instantly add form to your garden. You can place these in containers like these urn planters from Lowe’s that are durable, outdoor containers. They have a heavy appearance, but they are actually super lightweight. Planting in containers means you can rearrange them whenever you want to create a fresh layout.
Add Natural Holiday Accents
Once you have your structural elements in place, you can layer in natural touches that feel festive but not overly decorative. Try winterberry branches, holly sprigs, pinecones, or snips of cedar tucked into the soil of your potted plants. This gives the Sandringham look, which blends cultivated and wild textures.
If you aren’t able to forage in your own garden for things like berries or pinecones, you can buy this 4-piece pinecone and berry Christmas set from Target. You can also try this 4-piece berry set.
Create a Lit Pathway That Feels Magical, Not Flashy
Sandringham’s real Christmas magic comes alive when warm light hits the branches, walkways, and architectural details. Get a similar outdoor lighting effect in your own garden by lining your path with lanterns or lightly glowing LED fairy lights.
These lanterns from Amazon are solar-powered, outdoor-friendly, and can be hung or set on the ground along a path. They're perfect for creating that romantic, festive evening elegance with zero upkeep.
If you prefer string lights, these warm-white fairy lights from Amazon can be strung along a fence, arbor, or small trees. They complement evergreens without overpowering them.
Make a Magnolia Walk of Your Own
You may not have a space as large as Sandringham (not many people do), but you can recreate King Charles’s Magnolia Walk and give off the sense of anticipation that evokes. The trick is to draw the eye forward.
Try outlining your path with two repeating elements; this could be matching potted shrubs, lanterns, or even clusters of winterberry stems. Repetition creates rhythm and gives your garden path a natural, “designed” feeling, as if you had a team of people working with you.
For a grounded look, tuck a few bags of mulch or pine bark around the base of your plants. Try this hardwood mulch from Lowe’s that keeps soil insulated and adds a clean finish.
Introduce Royal Warmth at the Entrance
Any good promenade or garden path ends at a destination point, especially if you’re going for a festive, seasonal feel. This could be a front door, a gate, a garden bench, or even a small seating nook with some winter blankets. A small bench with some potted evergreens and soft lighting could give the vibe of a Christmas card.
End your promenade at a destination point: the front door, a gate, a garden bench, or even a small seating nook with winter blankets. A bench flanked by potted evergreens and soft lighting can feel like a scene pulled straight from a holiday movie.
A Garden Fit for the Season
King Charles’s Sandringham gardens are not about extravagance or royalty. They’re about balance, calm, and honoring nature. By leaning into evergreens, berries, and soft lighting, you can create your own Christmas-themed garden that results in a lovely walkway to welcome your family and guests throughout the season.
