LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

The Water Tower at Sandringham is now available exclusively through Oliver’s Travels, becoming the luxury holiday rental specialist’s third exclusive property on the private Royal Estate in Norfolk.

Rising high above the treetops, the circular neo-Byzantine tower has been transformed into an extraordinary romantic stay for two. Its rooms unfold vertically across four levels, culminating in a rooftop terrace set inside the original 32,000-gallon cast-iron water tank, with uninterrupted 360-degree views across the Sandringham Estate and Norfolk countryside.

Designed by renowned Victorian engineer James Mansergh, the Tower has stood on the Estate for almost 150 years. Its distinctive decorative brickwork, circular form and elevated position have made it one of Sandringham’s most recognisable landmarks. Now, for the first time, guests can take in its remarkable outlook.

The Water Tower joins The Folly at Sandringham and The Gardens House at Sandringham, both of which entered Oliver’s Travels’ exclusive collection in 2025. While entirely distinct in scale, history and character, the three properties share a rare connection to the Royal Estate and reflect Oliver’s Travels’ focus on unique homes with an exceptional sense of place.

INSIDE THE TOWER

The conversion celebrates the Tower’s unusual architectural form, working with the building’s circular footprint and original vertical arrangement; the interiors unfold as a sequence of spaces, with each level offering a different atmosphere and perspective across the Estate.

Heritage-inspired tones and understated furnishings sit alongside reclaimed elements sourced from across the Sandringham Estate, creating a material connection between the interiors and the wider landscape, while historic photographs of the Royal Family and images from Sandringham’s past are displayed throughout.

The kitchen, dining room, and bathroom are on the ground floor. The king-size bedroom sits above, with views across the Estate and surrounding countryside, followed by a comfortable living room with a working fireplace at treetop level, creating the sense of being suspended among the surrounding tree canopy.

From the living room, a narrow spiral staircase climbs into the Tower’s original cast-iron water tank, now reimagined as a secluded rooftop terrace. An intimate bistro table for two sits within the historic structure, surrounded by panoramic views of the parkland, Norfolk countryside and farmland, where rare-breed cattle and sheep graze below.

Movement between the four levels is central to the experience. Winding staircases, curved walls and changing views gradually reveal both its Victorian fabric and its extraordinary situation within the surrounding landscape.

A VICTORIAN LANDMARK WITH ROYAL HISTORY

The Water Tower was built in 1877 following concerns over the quality of the water supply at Sandringham House. After both the future King Edward VII and his eldest son contracted typhoid while staying on the Estate, establishing a clean and reliable water source became an urgent priority.

Mansergh was commissioned to create a new waterworks system, with the Tower’s vast cast-iron tank designed to generate sufficient pressure to serve both Sandringham House and the wider Estate.

Recognising the exceptional views from its elevated position, Mansergh also incorporated a viewing room into the upper floors. Members of the Royal Family and their guests would historically gather there during shooting parties and picnics, looking out across the same Norfolk grounds guests can see today.

The Tower remained operational for almost a century before being retired from service and carefully restored as accommodation.

THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE

Sandringham has been the private country retreat of the British Royal Family since 1862. The Water Tower occupies a secluded position within the Estate, from which guests can explore Sandringham’s visitor attractions, gardens and parkland, while the beaches, nature reserves and coastal villages of North Norfolk are within easy reach. Snettisham Beach is approximately seven miles away, with Brancaster, Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea also accessible for day trips.

The Water Tower at Sandringham is available exclusively through Oliver’s Travels, with weekly rates from £1,500 to £2,395.

How to get there:

Direct trains run from London King’s Cross to King’s Lynn, approximately 13.4km from the Tower. Norwich Airport is around 63km away. Private parking and an electric vehicle charging point are available at the property.

Website: https://www.oliverstravels.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_oliverstravels_