Royalty visiting Chilterns today

7:30am Thursday 24th July 2008

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ROYALTY will be paying a visit to the former home of poet John Milton today.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting Milton's cottage - now a museum - in Deanway, Chalfont St Giles.

The visit is part of the celebrations to mark 400 years since the poet's birth.

Earl Howe, Chairman of the Milton Cottage Trust, said: "My fellow trustees and I are very honoured that Their Royal Highnesses are paying us this visit.

"Milton's Cottage contains a wealth of exhibits which collectively tell the story of this extraordinary man, whose influence is felt to this day in so many facets of our national life.

"The interest shown in our museum by the Prince and the Duchess is very much appreciated."

While living at the cottage in Chalfont St Giles Milton completed his most famous work, the epic poem, Paradise Lost'.

He also started its sequel, Paradise Regained', at the cottage after moving there from London in 1665 to escape the Great Plague.

The Prince and Duchess will meet gardeners, volunteers and supporters of the Milton Cottage Trust, who now own the Grade One listed building.