Wood Farm

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Wood Farm
Wood Farm
Interactive map of the Wood Farm area
Former namesMarsh Farm
General information
TypeCottage
Location Sandringham Estate, Wolferton, Norfolk
Owner Charles III
LandlordCharles 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 until his death in 2021 the house was home to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Contents

Design and location

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

In 1904, the farmhouse was associated with the nearby Marsh Farm. [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 Middleton stayed at the cottage during a visit to Sandringham early in her relationship with Prince William. [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] He was often visited by the Queen, and reportedly ran a truffle farm on the grounds of the cottage. [1]

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following his departure from Royal Lodge, moved to Wood Farm in February 2026, staying there temporarily until the refurbishment of Marsh Farm, also on the Sandringham Estate, is completed. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Vanderhoof, Erin (17 September 2020). "Sandringham's Wood Farm: How a Modest Farmhouse Became the Royal Family's Favorite Private Retreat". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. ↑ Elston, Laura (9 April 2021). "Duke enjoyed sanctuary at Sandringham after retirement". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. ↑ Brenda Ralph Lewis, Prince John, Biography, Britannia: British History and Travel.
  4. ↑ Nicholl, Katie (20 August 2012). "Kate Middleton's Royal Catwalk". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  5. ↑ Mills, Jen (4 November 2017). "Prince Philip is living quite a different life since retiring from royal duties". Metro. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Hamilton, Sophie (4 November 2017). "Prince Philip's quiet life in retirement at Sandringham". Hello!. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Jobson, Robert (17 January 2019). "Duke of Edinburgh, 97, involved in serious car crash at Sandringham Estate". Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Mansey, Kate (4 February 2026). "How photos of smiling Andrew ended the 'siege of Royal Lodge'". The Times. Retrieved 4 February 2026.

52°49′22.59″N0°27′20.89″E / 52.8229417°N 0.4558028°E / 52.8229417; 0.4558028

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