York Cottage

York Cottage stands in the grounds of Sandringham House in Norfolk. It began as the Bachelor’s Cottage, built to house extra guests at Sandringham. In 1893 the future King Edward VII gave it to his son, Prince George, the Duke of York, as a wedding present. Prince George and his wife, the future Queen Mary, lived there for 33 years. Their five youngest children were born in the cottage during that time. The cottage reflects the tastes of George V, who furnished it himself with pieces from Maple & Co. It has been described as resembling three Merrie England pubs joined together. Lady Donaldson called it a monument to the eccentricity of the royal family who lived there. Today the building serves as the estate office for Sandringham, with holiday flats and staff accommodation inside. Visitors find a modest house that feels more like a family home than a grand palace. The rooms retain the personal touches chosen by George V and Queen Mary. The setting remains quiet, surrounded by the wider Sandringham estate. The cottage sits close enough to the main house to feel part of the estate’s daily life. Its unassuming appearance contrasts with the grandeur of Sandringham House nearby.