Wood Farm

Design and location

Wood Farm is a five-bedroom cottage located in a secluded part of the Sandringham Estate, overlooking the sea. It has been described as a “comfortable open beamed cottage two miles from the ‘big house’”. The house is half a mile from the Wolferton railway station and is located near the stables and pheasant shooting grounds. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, reportedly decorated the walls with his own art and redesigned the kitchen and bedrooms.

History and occupants

In 1904, the farmhouse was referred to as "Marsh Farm" by local residents. King George V and Queen Mary sent their youngest son, Prince John, who suffered from epileptic seizures, to reside at Wood Farm in 1917. He tended to a garden alongside a flock of chickens, occasionally receiving Queen Alexandra as a visitor before his death in 1919. 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.

Elizabeth II and her family began using Wood Farm in 1967. Prince Philip chose the cottage for the family or guests to stay in without the huge staff or costs presented by the main house. Staff have been reported to not wear uniforms at the cottage. The Queen was also described to have cooked and done the dishes while in residence. 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.

The cottage is also a guest house for visitors who want "complete privacy". Diana, Princess of Wales, stayed at the farm with the Queen during a shooting party before her engagement. Catherine, Princess of Wales stayed at the cottage during a visit to Sandringham early in her relationship with William, Prince of Wales. The couple continued to host shooting parties at Wood Farm after their marriage.

After his retirement, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh lived at Wood Farm. He was often visited by the Queen, and reportedly ran a truffle farm on the grounds of the cottage.

References

References

1. "Sandringham’s Wood Farm: How a Modest Farmhouse Became the Royal Family’s Favorite Private Retreat".
2. "Duke enjoyed sanctuary at Sandringham after retirement".
3. Brenda Ralph Lewis, [http://www.britannia.com/history/biographies/princejohn.html Prince John], Biography, [http://www.britannia.com/ Britannia: British History and Travel].
4. "Kate Middleton’s Royal Catwalk".
5. "Retirement means Prince Philip can spend more time at Sandringham".
6. (4 November 2017). "Prince Philip is living quite a different life since retiring from royal duties".
7. (4 November 2017). "Prince Philip's quiet life in retirement at Sandringham".
8. (17 January 2019). "Duke of Edinburgh, 97, involved in serious car crash at Sandringham Estate".
9. (15 December 2018). "Are Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip Still Living Together Following Duke's Retirement?".