‘Royal Retreat’, Sandringham Estate, England

For a few months of the year, Her Majesty The Queen’s, country retreat of Sandringham House is open to the public. Calling it a ‘House’ does feel to be a bit of an understatement as this magnificent family home has been used by four generations of British Monarchs since 1862.

Sandringham Estate is located deep in the Norfolk countryside and in total covers 8,000 hectares, but just the house itself is set within 24 hectares of beautifully kept gardens.

The House was built in 1870 by the Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII), on the grounds of a much smaller house. A ballroom was added in 1881, and then a further wing was added in the 1890s.

It was in 1977, the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, that the house was opened to the public. You’re able to wander through the very rooms that are still regularly used by the Royal Family, and the décor remains very much as it was in Edwardian times.

When you enter Sandringham House, you are greeted by very friendly informative guides who encourage you to chat and ask questions about the house & the family history.

It is really quite informal and fascinating to hear the little insights they give into the Royal Family’s life.

A secret door was pointed out to us, where beyond which in 1932 a temporary radio studio was set up for King George V, to broadcast the first Royal Christmas Message.

The museum at Sandringham which first opened to the public in 1930, is housed in the former coach house and stable block. It is home to an interesting collection of historic Royal vehicles, family history and also gifts received by the Royal family from State Visits abroad.

Miniature replica cars were made as gifts to the Royal children – what fun they must have had!!!

Amongst the collection are various vehicles used by the Royal family dating from 1900 onwards.

A selection they used was a 3 Litre Rover, for HM The Queen a London Taxi used by Prince Philip, Prince Charles’s Aston Martin & his MGC

The 24 hectares of beautiful gardens at Sandringham were first opened to the public by King Edward VII in 1908.

The gardens have continually evolved through the years incorporating meandering woodland walks, rockeries, magnificent formal gardens and sweeping lawns and lakes.

Avid Royal followers may recognise St Mary Magdalene’s Church, as this is regularly shown on TV when the Royal Family visit Sandringham Estate every Christmas.

Sandringham Church dates from the 16th century & includes memorials to members of the Royal Family from Queen Victoria onwards. It is regularly used as a place of worship by the Royal Family and Estate staff.

We have created a little YouTube video of the Estate. It’s only a couple of minutes so why not have a peak?

Why not subscribe to our channel and get the latest clips as we post them?

It’s an easy day trip from Norwich if you have a car. (43miles/69kms)

However you could also consider King’s Lynn which is considerable closer at 9miles/15kms

Why not check out the latest deals for King’s Lynn on Booking.Com?