HEIR B&B

RUSSELL HIGHAM checks into the Sandringham Royal Estate where the King traditionally spends Christmas, and where one historic 'cottage' can be rented out for a princely sum

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IT WAS our late Queen Elizabeth II's most beloved residence. Though she was always careful never to show favouritism.

There are many reasons why Sandringham held a special place in her heart. She delivered her first Christmas message from there in 1957 and it is where her grandfather, King George V, dispatched the very first ever - by radio - a quarter of a century earlier. He referred to Sandringham estate as "the place I love better than anywhere else in the world".

Bought in 1862 by Queen Victoria for her son "Bertie" - the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VII - this Jacobean-style country mansion near the Norfolk coast now serves as the country retreat of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Once described by an aristocrat as "the most comfortable house in England", it is where the Royal Family traditionally spend the festive period together. Its surrounding 21,000-acre estate is where they enjoy country pursuits as well as taking their famous walks to St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. And it could also be where you spend your next winter break if you've a spare couple of thousand pounds lying under the tree.

The Folly is a turreted Swiss-style villa built on Sandringham's royal estate just a few years after the main house was completed. Nestled on the edge of woodlands, it was originally designed to host majestic afternoon teas for the Royal Family's distinguished guests and to serve as a guesthouse when the main house was full. In the late 19th century, the Prince of Wales, who was at the centre of an elite social group known as the Marlborough House Set, was famous for throwing scandalously lavish parties. In keeping with his reputation, he also used The Folly as a discreet love nest for his affair with the actress and socialite Lillie Langtry.