Wood Farm

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Wood Farm
Wood Farm
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, 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 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Vanderhoof, Erin. "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. "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. "Kate Middleton's Royal Catwalk". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Retirement means Prince Philip can spend more time at Sandringham".
  6. ↑ "Prince Philip is living quite a different life since retiring from royal duties". 4 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Prince Philip's quiet life in retirement at Sandringham". 4 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Duke of Edinburgh, 97, involved in serious car crash at Sandringham Estate". 17 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "Are Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip Still Living Together Following Duke's Retirement?". 15 December 2018.

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

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