Sandringham House and its history
On 20 december 2018, Queen Elizabeth II took the train from London
to Norfolk. There the Queen will traditionally stay at Sandringham House
during the winter months. It really is her favourite Christmas destination.
At Sandringham members of the royal family will join Her majesty with
the festivities such as Christmas and New Years's Evy.
Sandringham House not only has a great role in present times but it also
had a wonderful royal history.
Some royal history
Sandringham is first mentioned in the Domesday Book as
"sant-Dersingham". It was the land awarded to a Norman knight,
Robert Fitz-Corbun after the conquest of England.
In the Elizabethan era a manor was built on the site of the present house.
In the 18th. century it came into the possession of the Hoste Henly family,
which were descendants of Dutch refugees.
In 1834, Henry Hoste Henley died without issue and the estate was bought by
John Motteux a merchant from London.
Later, Charles Spencer Cowper, a diplomat and resident in Paris, inherited the
estates at Sandringham. He undertook extensions to the hall. His style of living
was extravagant.
In the early 1860's Charles was keen to sell the estate. This was bought by
Queen Victoria for their eldest son, Albert Edward who would become later
King Edward VII. The house was soon found to be too small and later a
much larger building was created by A.J. Humbert.
In 1883 the house was again found to be too small and a new extension, the
Bachelors's Wing was constructed by architect Colonel R.W. Edis.
On 14 January 1882, Edward's eldest son and heir, Prince Albert Victor,
Duke of Clarence and Avondale, died of pneumonia at the house.
On 14 December 1895, George VI had been born at York Cottage at
Sandringham.
On 20 November 1925, Queen Alexandra died at Sandringham.
On 20 January 1936, King George V died at Sandringham. Edward VIII
became the new King. However he spent a single night of his reign at the
house, he brought Wallis Simpson for a shooting party in October 1936.
On his abdication, Sandringham and Balmoral Castle were private
property of the monarch. It was necessary for King George VI to
purchase both properties. The asking price was a cause of friction between
the new King and his brother.
On 6 February 1952, George VI died at Sandringham house. His body was
placed in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene before moving by train to
London.
Queen Elizabeth II spent time at Sandringham during the winter months.
From April 1st. the estate is usually back open for public.
King Charles III continues the royal tradition to spend Christmas at
Sandringham House.
Architecture
Sandringham House was constructed of red brick with limestone dressings.
The tiled roof contains nine separate clusters of chimneystacks. The style is
Jacobethan. The decoration of the house and the provision of furniture and
fittings was undertaken by Holland and Sons in the 1870's rebuilding.
A visit
When the Queen is not at the Sandringham estate, people can visit this
amazing private royal residence. It really is an unique experience.
Walking in the gardens already is amazing due to its vastness. At some
places of the garden, the house is not visible.
More information of Sandringham House and the public opening at
this link.
Trivia
Did you know that Park House, constructed in order of King Edward VII on the
Sandringham Estate, was the birth place of Diana, Princess of Wales.
to Norfolk. There the Queen will traditionally stay at Sandringham House
during the winter months. It really is her favourite Christmas destination.
At Sandringham members of the royal family will join Her majesty with
the festivities such as Christmas and New Years's Evy.
Sandringham House not only has a great role in present times but it also
had a wonderful royal history.
 |
| Sandringham House taken by my mother in 2017 |
Some royal history
Sandringham is first mentioned in the Domesday Book as
"sant-Dersingham". It was the land awarded to a Norman knight,
Robert Fitz-Corbun after the conquest of England.
In the Elizabethan era a manor was built on the site of the present house.
In the 18th. century it came into the possession of the Hoste Henly family,
which were descendants of Dutch refugees.
In 1834, Henry Hoste Henley died without issue and the estate was bought by
John Motteux a merchant from London.
Later, Charles Spencer Cowper, a diplomat and resident in Paris, inherited the
estates at Sandringham. He undertook extensions to the hall. His style of living
was extravagant.
In the early 1860's Charles was keen to sell the estate. This was bought by
Queen Victoria for their eldest son, Albert Edward who would become later
King Edward VII. The house was soon found to be too small and later a
much larger building was created by A.J. Humbert.
 |
| Sandringham House Gate and Gardens |
In 1883 the house was again found to be too small and a new extension, the
Bachelors's Wing was constructed by architect Colonel R.W. Edis.
On 14 January 1882, Edward's eldest son and heir, Prince Albert Victor,
Duke of Clarence and Avondale, died of pneumonia at the house.
On 14 December 1895, George VI had been born at York Cottage at
Sandringham.
On 20 November 1925, Queen Alexandra died at Sandringham.
On 20 January 1936, King George V died at Sandringham. Edward VIII
became the new King. However he spent a single night of his reign at the
house, he brought Wallis Simpson for a shooting party in October 1936.
On his abdication, Sandringham and Balmoral Castle were private
property of the monarch. It was necessary for King George VI to
purchase both properties. The asking price was a cause of friction between
the new King and his brother.
On 6 February 1952, George VI died at Sandringham house. His body was
placed in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene before moving by train to
London.
Queen Elizabeth II spent time at Sandringham during the winter months.
From April 1st. the estate is usually back open for public.
 |
| Sandringham House |
King Charles III continues the royal tradition to spend Christmas at
Sandringham House.
Architecture
Sandringham House was constructed of red brick with limestone dressings.
The tiled roof contains nine separate clusters of chimneystacks. The style is
Jacobethan. The decoration of the house and the provision of furniture and
fittings was undertaken by Holland and Sons in the 1870's rebuilding.
A visit
When the Queen is not at the Sandringham estate, people can visit this
amazing private royal residence. It really is an unique experience.
Walking in the gardens already is amazing due to its vastness. At some
places of the garden, the house is not visible.
More information of Sandringham House and the public opening at
this link.
 |
| Sandringham House and gardens |
Did you know that Park House, constructed in order of King Edward VII on the
Sandringham Estate, was the birth place of Diana, Princess of Wales.
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