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King Charles is opening one of the lesser-known—and most unusual—buildings on his private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, to overnight guests: the Water Tower, a newly restored Victorian structure that has been converted into a single, one-bedroom rental for two.
Built in 1877 to supply Sandringham House and the surrounding estate with clean water, the circular, neo-Byzantine tower was designed by civil engineer James Mansergh after concerns over the 20,000-acre property’s water quality. The future Edward VII and his eldest son, Prince Albert Victor, had both contracted typhoid while at Sandringham in the 1870s. A 32,000-gallon cast-iron tank atop the tower created the water pressure needed to serve the estate.
Now, nearly 150 years later, the former utility building has been transformed into a compact retreat spread vertically across several levels. The ground floor contains the entrance, kitchen, dining area and bathroom; the first floor has one king-size bedroom; and the second-floor sitting room includes a fireplace and opens onto the rooftop terrace, set within the former water tank. Guests also have an enclosed garden and private parking, with wide views over Sandringham’s woods and farmland from the roof.
With bookings now live via Oliver’s Travels, the Water Tower is the newest and smallest of Sandringham’s three guest rentals. It accommodates two, while the estate’s Folly sleeps six, and Gardens House allows for eight. Weekly rates for the Water Tower begin at £1,500 and rise to £2,395, depending on the season and availability.
Julia Cancilla is the social media & news editor at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand’s socials and covers design, pop culture, and emerging trends. She also authors the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Her work has appeared in Inked magazine, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, and more.