You Can Now Stay at King Charles’s Favorite Sandringham Retreat
Vacationing like royalty just got a tad bit easier. You can now book a stay at a quaint property that’s part of Sandringham Estate, King Charles II and Queen Camilla’s favorite country retreat nestled in Norfolk, England. Known as the Folly at Sandringham, the house was originally used to host ladies for tea; now, of course, it can host you, thanks to an offering from the travel agency Oliver’s Travels.
Inside the cottage, it has undergone a bit of a modern makeover, but still retains all the charming historical elements you’d expect from a country lodging, such as preserved stone hearths, arched entryways, and floors. That starts in the drawing room, with its cream tones, vintageVintageVintage refers to the specific year a wine's grapes were harvested, with exceptional vintages reflecting particularly favorable growing season conditions within a given region and year. Serious collectors track vintageGo to Vintage Glossary furniture, and lovely French doors opening onto to the lawn. Head to the sitting room for relax by the hearth, or pop into the dining room to enjoy a meal or two. The kitchen, painted a bright teal, has a butler sink and a slew of brass details. If you’re looking for an even cozier spot to unwind, head outside and up the stone stairway to the top of the turret, which has been transformed into a scenic lounging space. Also outside is a private, gated garden for you to roam, as well as an alfresco dining space.
Back inside, the cottage sleeps six, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The primary suite gets its own wing, with a large king-sized bed and quaint touches, as well as views into the lush gardens. The primary bathroom also offers up a walk-in rain shower and a bespoke wood vanity. The other wing, meanwhile, houses the two other bedrooms: one done up in sage green, and one with a private balcony and botanical wallpaper. If you’re looking to relax even further, the second bathroom has a full-sized tub for unwinding after a day exploring the grounds.
And you’ll certainly find plenty to do and see amid the landscape. A stay at the Folly gives you access to roam around the 20,000-acre parkland of the Sandringham Estate, as well as the official royal gardens. A stay at the cottage is priced from $4,000 for a three-night stay for six people.
Sandringham Estate has long been held in high royal esteem. King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, wrote, “I have always been happy here and I love the place,” when discussing the grounds. The area has seen quite a few changes over the centuries: There has been evidence of a residence on-site dating back as early as 1296, according to the estate’s website. Queen Elizabeth II opened the main home, known as the House, to the public in 1977. As for the gardens, King Edward II opened them to the public in 1908.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.