Posted:  Thursday 21st May 2009

A Day on the Sandringham Estate
for London Plant Associates
- 30th April -

The morning dawned chilly and cloudy as 48 London Associates set off for Sandringham House.  An improvement in the weather was forecast and by the time we reached Norfolk the sun was breaking through.  Sandringham House, although surrounded by 60 acres of gardens and a huge estate, is a compact royal residence with a personal and intimate feel.

It was built by the Prince & Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra) in 1870 and remained as a private home to four generations of British monarchs. 

First stop for many was the medieval church just outside the entrance which is used by all the royal family during their Christmas visit (photographed on TV news).

Waiting for the Royals.

Inside featured a beautiful carved and painted wooden ceiling, a silver alter and pulpit and many memorials to past royals.  After a welcome cup of tea at the Visitor Centre, we strolled through the gardens to the House.

The ground floor rooms, regularly used by the Royal Family, can be viewed and remain much as they did in Edwardian times.  The walls are lined with armoury, taspestries and trophies and many family photos and memorabilia were displayed.  The dining room houses a table with 9 leaves which can seat 22 people.  This room is used by the family at Christmas with two trees decorated in each corner.  The corridors house a huge collection of firearms and bronze statues (including many famous national racehorse winners).  There was also a special display of antique clocks in the ballroom.

The museum includes royal vintage motor vehicles including the first car owned by the monarchy -  a 1900 Daimler Phaeton, .......

	.........royal carriages, Prince Charles' electric toy Aston Martin. The Queen Mother's racing buggy and a vintage estate fire engine.

Just wish...

The roar of a lion welcomes you into the adjoining King George V Game Museum whose walls were lined with game trophies including rhino, tiger, buffalo, stags and more.

The gardens and lakeside walks were a delight with spring flowers and shrubs everywhere.  There were spectacular examples of towering specimen trees.

After our 5 hour visit we all met back at the Visitors Centre, not before some of us had purchased handfuls of plants in the shop.  The weather had been kind to us and the location certainly did not disappoint.

Click here to see more images from the visit.