Discover The Sandringham Estate: fascinating facts

Set in the heart of Norfolk, Sandringham is one of Britain’s most remarkable estates, known for its vast parkland, exceptional gardens and deep historical roots. For visitors heading to the RHS Sandringham Flower Show this July, the estate itself is every bit as captivating as the floral displays. Here are some interesting facts to help bring the place to life.

An estate recorded in the Domesday book  

The name Sandringham itself is rooted in history. It appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, recorded as “Sant Dersingham”, meaning “the sandy part of Dersingham”. This long history is still apparent in the estate’s landscapes and structures.
 
The land has been continuously occupied for centuries. An Elizabethan manor once stood on the site before it was replaced in 1771 by a Georgian mansion built for the Hoste Henleys.  
 
In 1836 the Estate was bought by John Motteux, a London merchant, who lived there until his death in 1843. It then passed to Charles Spencer Cowper, who undertook large scale rebuilding works. By the early 1860s the estate had become heavily mortgaged, leading to its sale in 1862.  
 
Sandringham Hall was purchased by Queen Victoria for Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, as a 21st birthday present in 1862.

© Millie Pilkington

An Elizabethan manor once stood on the site before it was replaced by a Georgian mansion

A major rebuild

Sandringham Hall was almost completely redesigned and rebuilt by Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and renamed Sandringham House.  The works were completed in 1870.  The result is a distinctive Jacobethan style residence set within landscaped gardens, parkland and woodlands that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

A landscape spanning 20,000 acres

Sandringham covers around 20,000 acres, a sweeping landscape of gardens, woodlands, farmland and parkland that offers an impressive backdrop to any event. The Estate includes several villages and hamlets within its boundaries, making it a significant part of the local landscape. 

© Millie Pilkington

The Sandringham Estate is around 20,000 acres of landscapes, gardens, woodlands, farmland and parkland

A tradition of Sandringham Time

One of the most intriguing features of the estate’s history is the tradition known as Sandringham Time. Introduced by Edward VII, all clocks were set half an hour ahead of GMT from October to February to make better use of daylight. This practice continued until 1936. 

Christmas at Sandringham

Sandringham was the private country retreat of Queen Elizabeth II, where she traditionally spent Christmas. The estate was the location for many of her family Christmas celebrations and was also the setting for Queen Elizabeth II’s first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957.

Queen Elizabeth broadcast the first-ever televised Christmas message from the Sandringham library in 1957. Seen here at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015

Gardens rich in history and horticulture  

The ornate Norwich Gates at Sandringham were designed by Thomas Jeckyll and presented as a gift “from the gentry of Norfolk”. These gates remain one of the most striking pieces of nineteenth century craftsmanship on the Estate.  
 
Sandringham’s gardens cover around 60 acres and feature sweeping glades, specimen trees, shrubs and woodland areas. Much of the character reflects design choices dating back to the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

© Millie Pilkington

The gardens are filled with character, reflecting designs created in the Victorian and Edwardian periods

• Sandringham House and Gardens are open from 28 March to 9 October (except for closures between 19 - 28 July and 20 - 23 August) >

•  Book your tickets to the RHS Sandringham Flower Show >