The Royal Family’s country retreat – perhaps the most famous historic house in Norfolk, set in “the finest of the Royal gardens” and with a fascinating museum.
Still maintained in the style of Edward and Alexandra, Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra), all the main ground floor rooms used by The Royal Family, full of their treasured ornaments, portraits and furniture, are open to the public.
The Museum, housed in the old stables and coach houses, has a collection of vehicles ranging in date from the first car owned by a British monarch, a 1900 Daimler, to a half-scale Aston Martin used by Princes William and Harry as well as a photographic exhibition which shows the history of Sandringham House from 1870 to the present day. A display tells the mysterious tale of the Sandringham Company who fought and died at Gallipolli in 1915 and there is also a fascinating collection of gifts given to Her Majesty The Queen by people from all over the world.
The sixty-acre gardens include the formal North Garden, the Stream Walk and Queen Alexandra’s Summerhouse, perched above the lake. The formal planting of the Edwardian age has given way to great sweeping glades, bordered by splendid specimen trees and shrubs, to create an informal garden full of colour and interest throughout the year. A free shuttle from within the entrance will carry passengers less able to walk through the gardens to the house and back. Guided garden tours take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11am and 2pm.
Sandringham Church is also well worth a visit, and there are six hundred acres of the Country Park open to all. There is a café, coffee shop and gift shops close to the coach and car parks. Sandringham’s welcoming country house atmosphere is commented on by almost every visitor, and the most common complaint is that people have not allowed enough time to see everything there is – at least 3 hours is necessary, and there is enough to fill a full day’s visit.
Until 13 October 2022
Royal Parkland
Sandringham West Car Park – 8am – 6pm
Sandringham North Car Park – 6am – 9pm
Children’s Play Area – open daily from dawn until dusk
Facilities at the Courtyard will be open daily
Information Office || 9.30am – 5pm
Sandringham Shop and Terrace Takeaway Café || 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sandringham Restaurant || 9.30am – 5pm
Toilets at the Courtyard || 9am – 6pm
Sandringham House and Gardens
Sandringham Gardens (Closed Fridays) || 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
Sandringham House (Closed Fridays) || 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
St Mary Magdalene Church || 11am – 5pm (Mon-Thurs) 12-4 (Friday), 1-4pm (Sunday)
