Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spends her summers at her private residence, Balmoral Castle, which is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The castle is set on a large estate that covers over 50,000 acres of land. Balmoral has been a royal residence since 1852 when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The estate includes gardens, forests, and farmland, and it also has its own chapel and ballroom. The Queen and her family spend several weeks each summer at Balmoral, where they enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. The castle itself is not usually open to the public, but visitors can explore the grounds and gardens.