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The Museum As early as 1928, King George V had created his own private museum of big game trophies in rooms attached to the stable block. Around the time of HM The Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, the remaining stables, coach houses and old powerhouse were converted to house a varied and ever-growing collection of objects. 
Pride of place goes to the vintage Royal motor vehicles ranging from the first motor car owned by a member of the British monarchy, a 1900 Daimler phaeton to the splendid 1939 Merryweather Fire Engine which was used by the Estate's own Fire Brigade. Several children's cars are on display as well as carriages and the old Estate game cart. The S.S. Osborne, an 1896 steam launch of the Prince of Wales' Royal Yacht Osborne is also on show. As members of the Royal Family have travelled round Britain and the rest of the world, many unusual gifts have been presented to them. One room in the Museum contains hundreds of them as well as commemorative china dating back to the coronation of King George IV. Social history of Sandringham is explored in a room devoted to Queen Mary's Carving School and the village school Curio cupboard filled with curiosities brought back by King Edward VII and King George V from all over the world to teach geography to local children. The tragic story of the Sandringham Company of the 5th Norfolk Regiment, many of whom died at Gallipoli along with the Land Agent, Frank Beck, is portrayed in a special exhibition room. In 1999 the BBC dramatised the story in 'All The King's Men' starring David Jason and Dame Maggie Smith. King George V's old game trophies are still there but in a more natural setting: watch out for the lions! In the courtyard outside is a comfortable tearoom converted from an old stable, just right for a rest after all that history. |
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