| Wood Farm | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Wood Farm | |
| Former names | Marsh Farm |
| General information | |
| Type | Cottage |
| Location | Sandringham Estate, Wolferton, Norfolk |
| Owner | Charles III |
| Landlord | Charles III |
| Affiliation | British royal family |
Wood Farm is a farmhouse on the British royal family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England. Historically occupied by members of the Royal Family and their guests, the house was a long favourite of Elizabeth II. From his retirement in 2017, the house was home to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Design and location
[edit]Wood Farm is a five-bedroom cottage located in a secluded part of the Sandringham Estate, overlooking the sea.[1] It has been described as a “comfortable open beamed cottage two miles from the ‘big house’”.[2] The house is half a mile from the Wolferton railway station and is located near the stables and pheasant shooting grounds.[1] Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, reportedly decorated the walls with his own art and redesigned the kitchen and bedrooms.[1]
History and occupants
[edit]In 1904, the farmhouse was referred to as "Marsh Farm" by local residents.[1] King George V and Queen Mary sent their youngest son, Prince John, who suffered from epileptic seizures, to reside at Wood Farm in 1917.[1] He tended to a garden alongside a flock of chickens, occasionally receiving Queen Alexandra as a visitor before his death in 1919.[1][3] The cottage was subsequently rented out for a number of years, including to James Ansell, the royal family's physician, before his retirement in the 1960s.[1]
Elizabeth II and her family began using Wood Farm in 1967.[1] Prince Philip chose the cottage for the family or guests to stay in without the huge staff or costs presented by the main house.[1] Staff have been reported to not wear uniforms at the cottage.[1] The Queen was also described to have cooked and done the dishes while in residence.[1] Charles III, when Prince of Wales, began to host shooting parties at Wood Farm during his college years, and continued to use it as a country retreat in adulthood.[1]
The cottage is also a guest house for visitors who want "complete privacy".[1] Diana, Princess of Wales, stayed at the farm with the Queen during a shooting party before her engagement.[1] Catherine, Princess of Wales stayed at the cottage during a visit to Sandringham early in her relationship with William, Prince of Wales.[1] The couple continued to host shooting parties at Wood Farm after their marriage.[4]
After his retirement, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh lived at Wood Farm.[5][6][7][8][9] He was often visited by the Queen, and reportedly ran a truffle farm on the grounds of the cottage.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Vanderhoof, Erin. "Sandringham's Wood Farm: How a Modest Farmhouse Became the Royal Family's Favorite Private Retreat". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Elston, Laura. "Duke enjoyed sanctuary at Sandringham after retirement". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Brenda Ralph Lewis, Prince John, Biography, Britannia: British History and Travel.
- ^ Nicholl, Katie. "Kate Middleton's Royal Catwalk". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Retirement means Prince Philip can spend more time at Sandringham".
- ^ "Prince Philip is living quite a different life since retiring from royal duties". 4 November 2017.
- ^ "Prince Philip's quiet life in retirement at Sandringham". 4 November 2017.
- ^ "Duke of Edinburgh, 97, involved in serious car crash at Sandringham Estate". 17 January 2019.
- ^ "Are Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip Still Living Together Following Duke's Retirement?". 15 December 2018.