Sandringham; Day 6

Today we set off for Sandringham, the Norfolk Retreat of Her Majesty the Queen. It was about a two hour drive from Harlaxton to the southeast coast of the United Kingdom where the manor house and grounds are found. As we pulled into the grounds I noticed that it was much like the parks in America, they offered picnicking and camping to visitors and had a welcome, family appeal.

Professor Cozart informed our class that when Prince Albert Edward VII bought the estate, called Sandringham Hall then, and its 7,000 acres, the people where upset that he would own so much land. Prince Albert Edward and his new bride Alexandria decide to make the grounds open to the public to use as a park. It was in 1977 that Queen Elizabeth II opened the manor up to visitors, she also installed a museum with displays of Royal life and Estate history.

As for the home itself, it is not set up like one would think a house of Royalty should be. The Manor is not a shrine to the Crown, but a home for four generations of Royal Blood. The Queen and her family spend every winter in the home, they are there from November to February. As we come into the entrance we were greeted by the docents who occupy every room and give explanations as to how the house is decorated and what some of the artifacts in the home are. In the family living room and the sitting room there are family photographs scattered about and precious oil paintings on the walls. Beautiful china and silver figurines adorn table tops and in the dinning room the Queen's china, silver and crystal are set out for a dinner party. In the midst of the table are two sets of gleaming silver pheasants, these were gifts to the Queen from her staff at Sandringham.

I had the chance to speak to a man named Peter Stanford while we toured the home. He told me that his wife is a member of the Queens staff. The people of Sandringham absolutely adore their Sovereign, as she adores them. Peter told me how every year the Queen brings every member of her staff into the sitting room separately and bestows a personal Christmas gift to them, they are also invited to watch films of her choice with her on several occasions while she is in residence. Every other year the staff and their families join the Queen at a private luncheon and also a ball. "The pay is not great, but the perks make up for it." Peter tells me, with the love for his ruler shining in his eye.

Beyond the Manor, the grounds have spectacular gardens, though the soil itself is not ideal for gardening. At one time the sea had covered the land that Sandringham Estate now resides. For that reason the soil is very sandy, this is were the name Sandringham originates, making it hard to grow flowers. There are very few flower beds on the premise, however the ones that occupy the North Garden are a spectacular flow of shape and color. In the English garden style the beds are very full and just a bit wild, with flowers ranging from proper English thistles to flowing purple variegated sweet peas.

To wrap up our tour we visit the church of the Queen when she is in residence at Sandringham. It is small but beautiful with ornately carved pews and wall hangings in memory of the Royal family whom have past. All and all the Manor, grounds and park where a lovely addition to our tour of the United Kingdom, I anxiously await comparing it to Windsor.