Lovely day out at Sandringham Estate (Sandringham House and Gardens)

Member Name: kayers

Product:	Sandringham House and Gardens
Date:	19/08/09 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone and not too expensive

Disadvantages: Shame that not more rooms open to the public in the house

Decided to go to Sandringham this week with my husband and teenage daughter. My daughter wasn't impressed about the idea of looking around a stately home and, as with most teenagers, let her feelings be known. However, we all had a very enjoyable day. The estate was very easy to find with good sign posting and the car parking was refreshingly easy, with "a park where you like" attitude under the trees, which was good as it was a hot sunny day. Parking and entrance to the park are free and there is a teashop and gift shop together with a place to buy plants and local produce. Entrance to the museum, house and gardens is priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children up to 15 years. Concession rates are also available. We thought this price was reasonable for a day out.
The house only has a few rooms open to the public but they are all used by the Royal family when they are in residence and give a glimpse of their lifestyle which is facinating. Each room was staffed by a guide who was more than happy to answer questions about the house, its history and information about what the Royal Family do when they are staying at Sandringham. They were very knowledgeable and we left feeling that we had obtained a unique glimpse of the Royal Family's lifestyle. We saw the room in which they open their presents at Christmas and the dining room where Prince Charles had entertained only last week! We were told that all the crockery and cutlery on display on the dining table are used on a daily basis by the Royal Family. Because of the guides m daughter found these facts a lot more interesting than she thought she would!
The gardens are lovely and there are some very pretty areas such as the little waterfall where a small summer house is situated.
The museum has lots of vintage cars used my past members of the Royal family, including pedal cars used by the royal children. There is also a lot of information on the Royal Family in general with many photos and family trees all of which I, in particular, found facinating.
The Church where the Royal family go for Christmas Day service is well worth a visit and is beautiful inside.
All in all we had a lovely day out in a relaxing place and learned some new things along the way.

Summary: A good day out if you like information on the Royal Family and a very pleasant garden to look around