Friday 29 September 2006

Yet more Sandingham

After we had visited the church ,we wandered up the path and through the little gate house where you pay to visit the house and garden ,We strolled through some wonderfully landscaped gardens and arrived at the house ,and entering the hall we were fasinated to see a weighing stool ,used by jockeys ,but guests are invited to weigh themselves on arrival and leaving to see if the y have gained any weight during their stay ! and through into the 'Salloon'I think this room is my favourite ,and can imagine the family all together in here ,there is always a jigsaw on a side table in progress ...amidst all the beautiful pictures tapestrys ,and fine furnishings ,and ornaments there is still an air of it being a family room ,the guide pointed out a cabinet where the Television is  kept and games ,and on many chairs and settees ,can be seen tapestry cushions and seat covers made by Queen Mary ...through into the small drawing room ,into the drawing room where a grand pianno is situated in the bay window over looking the gardens and beyond to some lovely woods ,I was particulary taken with a display of a collection of figures in jade and amber.In the early 1900s,the collection was dominated by works of Carl Faberge'alot of the pieces displayed were gifts to Princess Alexandra from her sister Dagmar,who married Tsar AlexanderIII,so many beautiful collections to be seen,it really is awesome ,onto the dining room,where the dining table is set up ,with all the queens lovely crystal glasses are inscribed E II R.The lovely dinner service, silver and  place mats etc surround the centre peice,The Grand National trophy,won by the Prince of Wales in 1900,The Lobby runs along side the dining room Oak cases line the walls and house a rare collection of sporting shot guns rifles and pistols owned and used by successive members of the Royal family.Maurice was impressed by a cabinet full of Purdey shotguns made for King GeorgeV,one  16 bore shotgun in particular with gold embellishment,,whatever must they now be worth ?,on now down the corridor looking at portraits ,and statues and other amazing memorabelia.and into the ball room ,with its minstrels gallery ,One can imagine the balls ,receptions and partys that take place here ,and I understand the minstrels gallery now houses afilm projection unit! From the ceiling hang chandeliers,each containing more than a thousand pieces of crystal and is over seven feet high ,The ballroom is used in the summer months to show off themed displays ,this year it was some hillarious cartoons ,quite a few aimed at the Duke of Edinburgh ! and  when I was here ,the last time it was copies of Christmas cards that the queen had sent through the years ...

So there we will leave it today ,just the museum now to tell you about another time ,with love Jan xx

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful entry!!! I love hearing about places & people! TY for sharing. {{{}}}
Have a great weekend.
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Very interesting Jan. I love the pics, looks a bit like my flat! Lol! We have so many of these stately homes in England, I love to visit them and it makes it even more interesting knowing the queen still lives there! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

I would love to be asked to stay at Sandringham, although a complete new wardrobe would be necessary.  I do believe though that a lot of hearty meals are consumed, and I never have tea !  Thanks Jan for setting the scene so eloquently.  Bunny

Anonymous said...

All that finery is very pretty, those chandeliers were something to see I bet. Helen

Anonymous said...

Jan a lovely and interesting entry and great pictures ~ everything looks so impressive and that chandelier is beautiful ~ remember seeing a programme once on how they cleaned them ~ ( did you notice my comment yesterday had Lyns url RScott and not mine) still can't figure out how that happened ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry Jan, I will definitely have to go. The chandeliers made me laugh. I always think of that classic episode of Only Fools & Horses. Lol. Linda x.

Anonymous said...

Another great entry, Miss!  We went for a wee nosey round Balmoral when we were on honeymoon, but it wasn't quite as interesting as Sandringham....most of it was all roped off.  And we weren't allowed to take pics.  Still, I suppose we can at least say we've been there!
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Ains xx

Anonymous said...

ps:  thanks for my 'extra' comment....you're a star!
A xxx

Anonymous said...

Wow, so very beautiful.  If I come over there will they feed us, can we sit down at that beautiful table and eat dinner ?  Thanks a gain for sharing.   Linda in WA
http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1960/LindasWorld/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan you really brought the pictures to life with your discription.  It all looks beautiful will have to go into the house next time. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how much I would love to visit all these places you go!  Such wonderful history!  You are just making me want to go to England more and more!  Keep it up! lol

Hugs
Jackie

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful museum, great pictures! Have a good weekend.

Samantha

Anonymous said...

Never been to Sandringham Jan and doubt I ever will now but Mike used to deliver to the Sandringham estate when he used to drive the tankers.  Thanks for sharing it with us.  Would not mind that chandelier but in this home we would knock ourselves out every time we tried to walk past it lol

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

brings back lots  and lots of memories

Anonymous said...

I visited it a few years ago but have enjoyed this visit more lol as far more descriptive than anything I remembered from way back then.  Very interesting thanks.  Eve

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jan for this ,another interesting  entry .The rooms look very impressive,love the grand dinning room,with all the settings and crystal lined up just so.The chandeliers look so beautiful,over 7feet high that must have been something to see...........Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Thanks for telling us more of Sandringham Jan,  I`ve never been there but I must admit that I rather fancy it now. Have a lovely weekend. :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful

Anonymous said...

what a fascinating story you tell!
hugs, lj

Anonymous said...

It is all so beautiful and full of history.  Each and every piece probably has a story behind it.  The house keeping there must be something else.  Everything looks well taken care of and kept in readiness for whatever occasion might come up.
I'm appreciative of your description of everything. Thank you so much for taking the time to share . 'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

wonderful history:)
such a pretty place.
Deb

Anonymous said...

Such astounding beauty, Jan!  I couldn't even imagine being surrounded by such luxury day in and day out.  Were you able to get any photos of the gardens?  xx Chris

Anonymous said...

a lovely entry again, so glad that I dont have to polish that table or chandleir
take care have a good weekend Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

OMG Jan! So beautiful and so rich with history. Wouldn't it be fun to time travel and attend one of those balls?
Thanks again for the lovely tour.
Dianna

Anonymous said...

hi Jan...

great entry, love the pics...have a great weekend!

Astra!

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL!  I would love to have dinner in the formal dining room.  What a lovely setting.  I'm very impressed with the pictures and the wonderful history surrounding this place!  Thank you for sharing it.  
Kathy  

Anonymous said...

Fantastic pics of Sandringham. I must go there someday. Love Conniex

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place Jan.  I would love to visit and take a tour of Sandringham one day. Have a great weekend.

Lots of love and hugs,
Leigh :-)
http://journals.aol.co.uk/edwardssoapy/LeighsWorld/"

Anonymous said...

Loved this entry. . would love to go to Sandringham. . ooh look at that lovley chandelier. . its like the one in only fools and horses. . .the one they tried to take down to clean it..Lovely photos ,thank you for sharing

Anonymous said...

it all looks so beautiful - another great entry Jan your making me wanna go :-)

Jen xx

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you had photographed my dining room Jan! awesome again! thanks for sharing Linda xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindachapmanuk/metamorphing

Unknown said...

Hey Samantha, long time no see