WHERE THE ROYALS ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY
Following the first glimpse of Harry and Meghan’s rural retreat last week, CHRIS ROYCROFT-DAVIS presents an envious commoner’s guide to the House of Windsor’s very grand weekend homes
spend summer weeks walking there and fishing on the river that flows through the garden. Birkhall, built in 1715, is said to be the Prince’s favourite place on Earth.
Servants pull off the Royals’ muddy green wellies and fishing gear before they relax in front of a log fire.
Royal touch: LLWYNYWERMOD VALUE: Upwards of £10million
Set in 192 acres near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire, this is Charles and Camilla’s Welsh retreat, perfect for walking.
The house was derelict when Charles bought it in
2007 and he spent an estimated £1.5million on refurbishment carried out by Welsh craftsmen.
The royal couple stay in a converted three-bedroom farmhouse and when they’re not there the courtyard buildings are let for holidays.
Royal touch:
Charles has a fountain in the courtyard garden to provide what he describes as “that all-important sound of running water”.
GATCOMBE PARK VALUE: At least £20million
This 730-acre working farm near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, was bought by the Queen in 1976 for £750,000 for Anne and first husband Mark Phillips.
She now lives there with second husband Sir Timothy Laurence. The estate includes an 18th-century manor house, farmhouse, cottages, extensive stables, an airstrip and a trout lake. The house has five main bedrooms, four secondary bedrooms, four reception rooms, a library, a billiard room and a conservatory. Plus staff accommodation, naturally. Anne walks her bull terriers round Gatcombe Water, a 12-acre trout lake which she half owns. An Australian businessman owns the other half.
Royal touch: THE ROYAL LODGE, WINDSOR VALUE: Upwards of £30million
The Duke of York leases this Georgian house in Windsor Great Park, where the Queen Mother used to live.
It has 30 rooms, gardens, a private chapel and 21 acres of secluded grounds. He paid £1million for a 75-year lease – which works out at £265 a week. There are eight houses for staff and Andrew has spent £7million on renovations including an indoor swimming pool.
There is a driving range so the seven-handicap golfer Prince can practise his swing.
Royal touch: BAGSHOT PARK
VALUE: Estimated at £35million
The biggest private residence of any of the Queen’s four children. Canny Edward pays £90,000 a year to rent the 57-room Victorian Surrey mansion where he lives with Sophie. However he receives £80,000 by sub-letting a converted stable block to a pharmaceuticals firm, reducing his annual rent to £10,000 – or £192 a week.
ANMER HALL VALUE: Upwards of £25million
A gift to William and Kate from the Queen, the 10-bedroom Georgian mansion on the Sandringham estate has a private pool.
The couple spent several million pounds refurbishing it, including putting artificial grass on the tennis court.
They also have a new glazed garden room and smart new kitchen. The couple spend lots of time there with their children.
William and Kate socialise a lot in their kitchen, which the Queen “couldn’t get her head around” when she first visited them.
Royal touch: Royal touch:
Edward enjoys his own billiard room wing, built by Indian craftsmen in the 1880s.