Live Like Royalty: Book Stays on Royal Estates Including Sandringham and Balmoral

A unique opportunity to experience life on royal grounds is available to the public, with several properties on estates owned by the British Royal Family now open for holiday lets. These heritage houses offer a glimpse into the past, with options ranging from restored historical buildings to charming cottages nestled within expansive royal parklands.

Sandringham Estate Accommodations

On King Charles III's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, visitors can stay in a remarkable 150-year-old water tower that once supplied water to Sandringham House. Designed by James Mansergh and completed in 1877, the neo-Byzantine tower has been restored with elegant furnishings, complementing its original decorative brickwork and offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. This distinctive property can accommodate up to two guests.

Also on the Sandringham Estate is Gardens House, a red brick Edwardian property that formerly housed the estate’s head gardener. Situated close to Sandringham House, the accommodation has been thoughtfully furnished with items from the Royal Collection. It sleeps up to eight guests and welcomes dogs, offering access to the expansive garden and Royal Parkland. For those seeking a family holiday or a peaceful rural escape, Gardens House provides a sense of living history.

Another option on the estate is The Folly, a three-bedroom Victorian house. This retreat, once used by King Edward VII to entertain guests, retains many original features, including stone hearths and arched entryways. The sensitively refurbished house blends heritage with contemporary comfort and can sleep up to six guests. Its location in private woodland allows for an immersive experience on the regal grounds.

Isle of Wight and Balmoral Estate Stays

Queen Victoria's favorite residence, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, also offers holiday lets. Osborne House, designed in an Italianate Palazzo style, was where Queen Victoria raised her nine children. Two holiday cottages, No 1 Sovereign's Gate and No 2 Sovereign Gate, are available for rent. These cottages feature private gardens and grant residents access to the beach, even when closed to the public. Pavilion Cottage, a two-bedroom property built for cadets of the Royal Naval College, overlooks College Field and offers a secluded stay with proximity to Osborne's gardens and fountains.

For those seeking a Highland retreat, Connachat Cottage on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire is available. Balmoral, known as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite residence, offers guests the chance to enjoy the same wilderness, walking trails, and grounds cherished by generations of royals. The traditional stone-built cottage is ideal for families and friends looking to immerse themselves in Scotland's natural beauty.

Northern Scotland and Transylvania

The Castle of Mey in Caithness, northern Scotland, once owned by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, offers stays at The Captain's House. This detached, self-catering cottage sleeps six and provides views across the Pentland Firth. The estate also features the Granary Lodge, a ten-room B&B.

King Charles III also owns a property in Transylvania, Romania. The 400-year-old Casa Printului de Wales cottage, decorated with traditional antique Transylvanian furniture and textiles, serves as a nature retreat. The King's maternal great-great-great grandmother was from this region, adding a layer of personal heritage to the property. The cottage emphasizes a connection with nature, offering outdoor activities and eschewing televisions and radios.

Former Royal Residences

King Charles and Queen Camilla previously spent time at a secluded three-bedroom farmhouse on the Llwynywermod estate in Carmarthenshire, Wales. While the King gave up this personal farmhouse in 2023, two cottages on the estate, North Range and West Range, remain available for holiday lets, offering a charming barn conversion style and proximity to the Brecon Beacons National Park.

In 2020, Prince William and his family stayed at Dolphin House on Tresco Island in the Isles of Scilly. This six-bedroom property, situated yards from the sea, offers privacy within its 10ft-thick granite walls and features a large walled garden. It can accommodate up to ten guests and provides a tranquil island getaway.