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About this place
Sandringham House in Sandringham, Norfolk, is a country residence of the British royal family in eastern England, not far from the North Sea coast. It is privately owned by the monarch rather than held as a Crown property. Parts of the house and estate are open to the public, which makes it one of the few royal homes you can enter.
How did the house come about?
The Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, bought the estate in 1862. The present house was built between 1867 and 1870 to designs by A. J. Humbert, in red brick with Jacobean-style detailing. Robert William Edis added the ballroom in the 1880s, and the upper floors were rebuilt after a fire in the early 1890s.
Why does it matter?
Both George V and George VI died at Sandringham. The royal family traditionally spends Christmas here and sees in the New Year, and Elizabeth II usually stayed until February. The house sits within an estate of roughly 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) inside the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
What heritage protection does it have?
The house is listed at Grade II*. The gardens, park and woodlands appear on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, maintained by Historic England.
What can visitors see?
The Sandringham Estate opens several parts to the public:
- rooms of the house, entered in timed slots,
- the gardens,
- the museum,
- the church of St Mary Magdalene,
- the Royal Parkland, a landscape park open all year, free to enter, with a parking charge.
The house and gardens open seasonally, from late March to early October, with short closures in summer. Outside the season only the parkland stays open. Check the estate's official website before you travel.
When should you go?
Aim for the open season, from spring to early autumn. Book house tickets ahead because entry is by time slot. The gardens and parkland need no booking.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside Sandringham House?
Yes, during the season. Visits run in timed entries, and booking in advance is recommended.
Is the park free?
Entry to the Royal Parkland is free all year. You pay for parking.
Do the royals still stay here?
It remains the royal family's private country home, and they traditionally spend the Christmas period here.
Where is Sandringham?
In Norfolk, eastern England, within the Norfolk Coast AONB.
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