The Royal Family’s beloved Sandringham Estate in Norfolk – where they spend Christmas each year – has been forced to shut its doors to visitors after an unexpected ’emergency” issue
13:09, 01 May 2025Updated 13:09, 01 May 2025
King Charles was forced to close Sandringham Estate today due to an ’emergency'(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
King Charles’ beloved Sandringham Estate has been forced to close its doors today after an unexpected ’emergency’ issue came to light. Tourists hoping to have a look around one of the Royal Family’s most beloved residences today are being left disappointed due to a plumbing issue.
A burst water main means that the toilets on the historic site are not working, and the estate has been forced to close its doors until the “emergency plumbing issue” is resolved. The restaurant, gardens, house, and facilities in the courtyard are all closed to visitors today, however, the Royal Parkland itself is still welcoming visitors – although there will be no toilets available.
Sandringham house stands in a 20,000-acre estate in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sandringham said in a statement: “The Estate is currently closed all day to due an emergency plumbing issue. The includes The House, The Gardens, Sandringham Restaurant and Courtyard Facilities.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. The Royal Parkland is still available to visit, but there will be no toilet facilities open.”
The historic royal residence – which sees the senior royals gather each year for their Christmas celebrations, and undertake an annual walkabout at St Mary Magdalene Church – welcomes around 85,000 visitors each year, with another 20,000 guests coming to tour the estate’s stunning gardens.
Anglian Water explained about the plumbing emergency and said: “We’re really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all. This is being caused by a burst water main in your area.” Sandringham is privately owned by the King – as it was by Queen Elizabeth II before him – and is not part of the Crown Estate.
King Charles leads the royals to church in Sandringham on Christmas Day(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
First purchased by Edward VII, when he was still Prince of Wales, in 1862 as a country retreat for his family, it is located about 100 miles north of London and covers a vast 20,000 acres of land – 600 of which are beautiful gardens.
The estate was first opened to the public after the late Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee – which marked 25 years on the throne – back in 1977, and since then has welcomed thousands of visitors keen to get a glimpse of the residence that means so much to the Royal Family.
The Sandringham Estate is also where Prince William and Princess Kate’s Norfolk retreat of Anmer Hall is located, which they have used at times as their primary residence, but now is where they often prefer to spend some of the school holidays.
Whilst King Charles and Queen Camilla spend a lot of time at Sandringham, the King was not in residence when this plumbing emergency occurred. Instead, Charles has been in London, where last night he gave a speech at Buckingham Palace at the Community Based Cancer Support Reception.
In the emotional message ahead of the event, Charles opened up about his own cancer diagnosis and paid tribute to “those who so selflessly give care, comfort, and reassurance” to people dealing with the disease.
The King admitted receiving his own diagnosis had “certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here” and added it “reinforced what I have long observed…that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
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