Welcoming visitors
The arrival of March sees increased anticipation for the reopening of Sandringham House and Gardens to visitors for another season.
Their Majesties country retreat welcomes visitors from all over the globe throughout the year. Entering through the main door into a stunning Jacobean style Saloon before moving through into beautiful drawing rooms, designed by Alexandra Princess of Wales.
Following a childhood with darker and shorter days in Denmark, the Princess designed these interiors to reflect a lightness, bringing Italian artists to Sandringham for plasterwork and trompe l’oeil (trick of the eye) ceiling painting.
The Dining Room that follows features a beautiful mahogany table, once owned by Queen Victoria at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, brought to Sandringham after her death in 1901. Set with silver, glass, and fine porcelain for an evening dinner.
Frequently asked questions in this room are often ‘Who does the dusting?’ and ‘How is the House kept so clean?’ Many visitors also comment on the ‘Minton’ porcelain displayed made by the Minton company of Stoke-on-Trent. The Service was a present for the Prince and Princess of Wales for their wedding in 1863; a gift from Queen Victoria. The service is a light turquoise with gilding and bearing an ‘AA’ cypher (for Albert and Alexandra). Designed in a ‘Sevres’ style it is very ornate and over a hundred pieces were needed as the family entertained on a grand scale. Not being suitable for a dishwasher, it would determine a late night for the kitchen staff!
The House tour finishes with a walk down the Ballroom Corridor where bronzes and paintings display the sporting interests of the Prince and Princess of Wales from the 1800’s and ends in the Ballroom, where annual exhibitions are now held.
Written by House Guide June Cook
For further details about what’s on this season head to the events page here.