Norfolk's royal history

Learn like a local

Norfolk's royal history

Learn like a local

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Royal guards and horses outside a royal palace

Royalty, both past and present, has significant ties to the county of Norfolk in the East of England. History buffs and royalists alike will find plenty of attractions and places to visit whilst on holiday in Norfolk, where they can immerse themselves in the region’s rich royal history.

To learn more about Norfolk’s royal ties we’ve spoken to locals Pete Waters, Executive Director of Visit East of England and Steph Makins, co-founder of Enjoying Norfolk, for their insight on the region's best royal places to visit.

A brief look into the royal history of Norfolk

Norfolk has deep historical ties to British royalty, particularly through the presence of royal estates and its role in significant royal events. Going back to Medieval times, the 12th-century Castle Rising, located just outside of King’s Lynn, was once the residence of Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II. The castle is one of the best-preserved examples of Norman architecture in England.

In the Tudor period, Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was born at Blickling Hall (she’s also the mother of Elizabeth I). Her family's ties to Norfolk significantly impacted its status during the Tudor era.

A close up of Sandringham House in Norfolk

Moving to modern royal history, several royal family members have been born at Sandringham, including King George VI and Princess Diana, who was born at Park House, a property on the Sandringham estate. Sandringham House is one of the most notable royal residences. Purchased in 1862 by Queen Victoria for her son, the future King Edward VII, it remains a private home for the British monarch and a favoured countryside retreat to this day. Anmer Hall, a Georgian house on the Sandringham Estate, is the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, further cementing Norfolk's status as a royal family retreat.

Royal attractions to visit in Norfolk

So, now we know a bit about Norfolk’s royal past, where can you visit today? Pete tells us of a brand-new project opening this year: “Royal Palace Reborn is a 15 million investment, and it's going to recreate how it was when a medieval King came to stay there one Christmas—and all for the first time ever. All five floors of the castle, including the battlements will be accessible because they'll have a lift as well for disabled people.”

Royal Palace Reborn aims to ‘turn back the clock 900 years’ to transform Norwich Castle's iconic Norman Keep by reinstating its medieval floors and rooms so everyone can experience a Norman royal palace and its stories.

Depending on the time of year you visit Norfolk, you may catch a glimpse of the Royal Guards; according to Pete: “The guards based in London outside Buckingham Palace, holiday up in North Norfolk, and if you're lucky, if you're up there at the right time, you'll see maybe 40 or 50 horses ridden by the soldiers in the water.”

Holkham Hall

Holkham Hall is a grand Palladian-style mansion that has been the ancestral home of the Coke family for centuries. Thomas Coke, the 8th Earl of Leicester, inherited the title and estate in 1976. He oversees the management and preservation of Holkham Hall and its estate. Alongside his wife, Lady Coke, they have been instrumental in opening the estate to the public and promoting its historical and cultural significance. Steph tells us, “We've got Holkham, which is where Lord and Lady Coke live. They're also connected to the royal family.”

Lord and Lady Coke are not directly related to the British royal family by blood. However, they share historical and social connections through aristocratic circles and alliances. The British royal family has a well-documented interest in conservation, history, and the preservation of heritage sites, much like the Coke family’s efforts at Holkham Hall. This shared focus often leads to collaborations and mutual support in various initiatives.

Members of the royal family have visited Holkham Hall on several occasions, reflecting the estate’s significance.

The grounds and gardens of Sandringham House

Sandringham Estate

No visit to Norfolk is complete without a trip to Sandringham; Steph tells us: “Norwich used to be the second most important city to London in medieval times. So lots of royalty have passed through it, and obviously, in West Norfolk, you've got Sandringham, one of the now-King's private houses and it used to be one of the favourites of the late Queen.”

Pete discusses Sandringham's past and present importance: "The funny thing about Sandringham is that it was bought by Queen Victoria for her son [Edward VII], who was a notorious philanderer, to get him out of London because he was getting up to lots of mischief in London. As you know, the Queen spent every Christmas there, and now we're pleased to say that King Charles does too. The Prince of Wales and Princess Kate have a house in the estate where they spend a lot of their private time, which means we have the King here at Christmas.

But for a lot of the year, we have Prince William and his children. So you've got the second, third, fourth and fifth of the line living in Norfolk.”

Sandringham Estate is one of the few royal residences open to the public at certain times of the year. The house is generally open to visitors from April to October. During these months, guided tours of the ground-floor rooms are available, where visitors can see the royal family’s personal items and learn about the house's history. Visitors must purchase tickets to tour the house, which often includes access to the museum and gardens.

Blickling Hall

Blickling Hall, constructed in 1616 by Sir Henry Hobart, is a great example of Jacobean architecture. The National Trust now manages Blickling Hall, which has preserved its historical and architectural integrity. The estate is open to the public and offers a variety of visitor experiences. Blickling Hall’s most significant royal connection is that of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I.

Steph tells us: “Her family seat was supposedly Blickling Hall, but it's disputed as to whether it was actually her birthplace, but what's really interesting, [on] the anniversary of her death… there's this big kind of thing that happens at Blickling Hall where there's a reenactment of her walking up the kind of concourse. Her ghost is supposed to also appear at midnight on the anniversary. So that’s another huge thing in Norfolk. It's a super haunted county, apparently. So if you've got a kind of leaning towards the paranormal, there are loads of ghost stories, folklore, and haunted places you can visit.”

Whether you’re a fan of the supernatural or not, Blickling Hall and its grounds are open for tours, offering insights into its history, architecture, and the lives of its notable residents. The estate also hosts events, educational programs, and seasonal activities.

No matter what you choose to do during your holiday in Norfolk, we’re sure you’ll have a royally great time! With plenty of historical attractions located right by our Norfolk holiday parks.

*Please note, images are illustrative only.