Visiting the Kings's Sandringham Estate

Sandringham House is the much-loved private home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla and is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk. It has been the private residence of British monarchs for four generations, dating back to 1862.

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend a whole day at Sandringham, from taking a tour of the house and discovering its history and Royal connections, to visiting the Exhibition and Transport Museum, exploring the well-kept gardens, taking in St Mary Magdalene Church, adventure play area, gift shop, café and its extensive country park, made up of woodland and heath.

Located just over an hour’s drive from Norwich and around 20 minutes from the beach at Hunstanton, the Sandringham Estate is definitely worth a visit, whether you live in Norfolk or are holidaying in the county. Steeped in history, uncover fascinating details about its present and former residents and enjoy all of what’s on offer at this popular Norfolk attraction. The House, Gardens and Museum are generally open daily between April and the middle of October each year. The Country Park, Gift Shop and Café are normally open all year round. However, it is advisable to check the Sandringham Estate website for exact opening days and times before travelling to avoid disappointment.

Sandringham House

The main house was completed in 1870 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who later became King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Once described as ’the most comfortable house in England’ this private residence has passed down four generations of British monarchs and is today the country retreat of HKing Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Wander around the rooms open to the public and marvel at the contents and decor which remain very much as they were in Edwardian times. Enjoy all the opulent objects and artwork including family portraits by leading contemporary court painters: Heinrich von Angeli, Sir Luke Fildes, Franz Winterhalter and Edward Hughes and collection of oriental arms and armour from the Far East and India. Knowledgeable guides are on hand in each room to answer any questions and to offer interesting facts and information about the room and its contents.

Private guided tours of Sandringham House are also available and further details can be found on the Sandringham Estate website.

Please note the House, Museum and Gardens re-open 3rd April 2020 until 14th October 2020.

Sandringham Gardens

Set in 25 hectares of stunning gardens, Sandringham House has perhaps the finest royal gardens and are enjoyed by the Royal Family and their guests when in residence. Visitors can wander around the more formal gardens from April – October and view the beautiful collection of rhododendron, camellia and magnolia trees that were brought up from Windsor to create more shelter, interest, and privacy in the garden. Much of the planting in Sandringham Gardens has matured and there is a wide range of rare and unusual trees and shrubs and is an idyllic spot for those who love the colour, shape, form and texture of leaves, stems and bark through the changing seasons. The cottage gardens with their informal planting are usually at their best during late July, when they are awash with bees and butterflies. Discover an oak tree that was planted by Queen Victoria and a giant red wood tree planted by Princess Christian of Denmark. Find the oldest tree in Sandringham’s garden, a veteran oak, that stands beside the upper lake and is thought to be over 8oo years old.

Guided garden tours are available to book and further details are on the Sandringham Estate website. 

Please note the House, Museum and Gardens re-open 3rd April 2020 until 14th October 2020.

Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum

View the varied and fascinating collections that are housed in the former coach houses and stable block that are now the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum. This extraordinary collection includes a 1939 Merryweather fire engine, royal car collection, including a number of model cars gifted to younger members of the Royal Family, exotic gifts given to The Royal Family on state visits abroad and personal items of interest.  Watch a 3-minute film to gain a brief insight into the history and workings today of this fascinating 8000-hectare Estate when you visit the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum, one of many independent museums in Norfolk.

Please note the House, Museum and Gardens re-open 3rd April 2020 until 14th October 2020.

For further details about the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum, please visit the Sandringham Estate website.

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham

The parish church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham is used regularly by the Royal Family and Estate staff as a place of worship and has held memorials to many members and relations of the Royal Family from Queen Victoria onwards.

Considered one of the finest carrstone buildings in existence, dating back in its present form to the 16th-century, Sandringham Church is exquisitely decorated, with a silver pulpit and a silver 17th-century Spanish processional cross. There are many other notable features including a Florentine marble font, a Greek 9th-century font and stained-glass dating from the 16th-century.

Open daily from April until October, during the winter the church is only open for services.

For further information, please visit the Sandringham Estate website.

Sandringham Country Park

It was in 1968 that 142 hectares of the King’s private estate at Sandringham was designated as a Country Park and since then, this has been increased to nearly 243 hectares for visitors to enjoy. Open daily throughout the year, find a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, Corsican and Scots Pine as well as Oak, Sweet Chestnut and Birch, that all support a rich abundance of animals, birds and plants. Sandringham Country Park has waymarked nature trails as well as many woodland paths to explore and open spaces for picnics, games and outdoor fun.

Sandringham Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area and sculpture trail are located close to the Country Park car parks and younger visitors are sure to enjoy the slides, swings, rope bridge, wobble board and climbing wall.

Sandringham Events

During the year Sandringham plays host to a variety of events such as the hugely popular Flower Show, Easter Egg Trail, Game & Country Fair and Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair. Other events include a Craft & Wood Festival, Outdoor Theatre, Half Marathon, 5K and Community 1 Mile Family Fun Run, Horse Driving Trials, Outdoor Cinema, Open Air Concerts and Proms in the Gardens.

To find out more about all the upcoming events at Sandringham, please go to their website.

Sandringham Gift Shop

Discover a variety of gifts, especially British-made ranges and exclusive Sandringham souvenirs. Purchase houseplants, shrubs and perennials, as well as a range of famous apple juices from the orchards at Sandringham, that have been pressed and bottled and are available to buy by the case or singly.

The gift shop will be re-opening in April 2020 after some renovation work.

Sandringham Café & Coffee Shop

Open all year round, Sandringham Café & Coffee Shop offer hearty meals and light snacks using many local ingredients and homegrown produce from the Estate. This family business run by husband and wife Kevin and Deborah Steward ensures that the freshest of ingredients are used with very low food miles. Depending on what’s in season, visitors can enjoy lamb, pheasant, partridge and venison, all sourced from the Estate. The family have also created a new range of jams and chutneys which are exclusively available from the Sandringham Gift Shop.

Stables Tea Room

During the main opening season, April - October, light bites are also available at the Stables Tea Room, located in the Gardens next to the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum. Take a break and enjoy a freshly brewed tea or coffee with a delicious home baked cake, scone and sandwich or maybe an ice cream.

To find out further information about any of the aforementioned, please visit the Sandringham Estate website.

The Sandringham Estate, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EN

Tel: 01485 545400

https://sandringhamestate.co.uk/