Visit Sandringham Park, the Queen’s Norfolk home

Visit Sandringham Park, of the most popular destinations in Norfolk, and step into the shoes of the British Royal family, who use the lavish house and gardens as their holiday base over the Christmas and New Year season.

Made up of Sandringham House and Gardens, as well as the huge Royal Park, the Sandringham Estate has many things to offer.

Sandringham House

This enormous stately home is open to the public much of the year, although it won’t be a surprise to know that the chances of bumping into Her Majesty are non-existent: the House and Gardens are closed when the family is in residence. But don’t be disheartened: take a tour of the house the rest of the year, and you will be able to walk through the very rooms the Queen and her family live in during their stay, and where her annual Christmas Message is recorded most years.

Visits are by guided tour only – no wandering off to snoop through the cupboards – and no photography is permitted inside the building.

The formal Gardens

Surrounding the house itself, the Sandringham Gardens are as beautiful as they are extensive. Approaching from the visitor entrance, you are greeted by a stunning view of the rear of the house with its sweeping lawns, which really has the wow factor.

Walk the paths to discover avenues of trees, a picturesque lake and the Sandringham Stables. Your walk will take you the length of the terrace, inches from the windows, where you can imagine yourself on a lazy summer afternoon hanging out with the Royal Family. Circling round the house, check out the impressive formal entrance, or just wander the many paths, enjoying magnolia, wisteria and many other beautiful flowers and trees, and head back to the exit via Sandringham Church, which makes its annual TV appearance every 25th December as the family head to the Christmas morning service.

Most of the gardens are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs, although there are some steps up to the terrace (a signposted accessible route bypasses these).

Plan to spend at least 45-60 minutes exploring and enjoying the gardens.

Sandringham Park

Measuring a whopping 600 acres, the Royal Park surrounding Sandringham House and Gardens is open to the general public year-round. There is no admission fee, although there is a charge for the car park.

There are two marked paths to discover, although you are free to wander where you choose. Discover the woodland and parkland, or just enjoy the view from the cafe. A large play area makes it perfect for children, and dogs are welcome in the Park itself (although not the formal gardens). 

How much does it cost?

As of May 2021, the combined ticket for the House and Gardens is £20 per adult, free for under 18s. A visit to just the gardens costs £12; entry to Sandringham Country Park itself is free.

Parking costs depend on how long you stay. If you have bought a ticket for the House and/or Gardens, enter your registration number at the ticket office for free parking.

Sandringham House opening times

Sandringham House and Gardens are open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm. They are closed on Fridays, and when the Queen is in residence. See the website for futher details.

Parking is available from 6am to 9pm.

What else is there to do?

Sandringham Estate offers regular Landrover safaris and Afternoon Tea, as well as frequent gardening and other events. 

Outside the main gate is a cafe, gift shop and toilet facilities.

Getting here and away

The easiest way to get to Sandringham House, Norfolk, is by car; there is a large car park. Sandringham lies just a 15 minute drive northeast of King’s Lynn.

If you don’t have your own transport, the number 35 bus runs from King’s Lynn to Hunstanton and stops outside the main visitor entrance.

Regular trains from London to King’s Lynn run from Kings Cross station, and take just under 2 hours.

Sandringham Estate map