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These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
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Sandringham is the private Norfolk home of the Royal Family. The late HM Queen Elizabeth II inherited it from her father, George VI. George loved the place and died there on 6 February 1952. The house is perhaps the most famous stately home in Norfolk and is at the heart of the large Sandringham Estate, which includes Sandringham Royal Park, open to the public free of charge, and extensive private gardens.
There is evidence of prehistoric and Roman activity nearby and Sandringham itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Sant Dersingham”, the sandy part of Dersingham. The royal connection came via Queen Victoria’s son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who bought the then 18th century house and estate in 1862, aged 21. Edward demolished the house and, between 1870 and the 1890s, replaced it with the current one. It passed to his son, King George V, and then to his son Edward VIII who, following his abdication, sold it to his brother, George VI. All monarchs appear to have had a special affection for Sandringham.
The gardens were first opened to the public by King Edward VII in 1908, and in 1930 the Museum was opened with an admission charge of 3d (1.25p). Queen Elizabeth opened the House itself to the public in her Silver Jubilee year, 1977.
Scone Palace stands on a site of enormous historical significance. It was at the heart of the ancient Kingdom of the Picts, a meeting place, and traditionally where the kings of Scotland have been crowned, on the sacred Stone of Scone - stolen by King Edward I in 1296 and returned to Scotland in 1996 (it is now in Edinburgh Castle). The Moot Hill where kings were declared and crowned is opposite the palace, which is mainly 19th century, built near the site of the medieval Abbey of Scone - which itself replaced an early Christian church. The Palace contains an impressive collection which includes furniture gifted by Mary Antoinette, bed-hangings embroidered by Mary, Queen of Scots and rare porcelain and ivory. A particular feature is the painting of Dido Belle, whose mother was a slave, and her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray. The long gallery is where Charles II processed to his coronation and where Queen Victoria watched curling. In the 100 acre grounds are walks, gardens and a maze. Regular events are held. Scone Palace has been home to the Murrays, later the Earls of Mansfield, since 1600.
Perth
The Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire has been the seat of the Earls of Lichfield (family name Anson) since 1831 – the 6th Earl still has apartments there. Arguably, Shugborough’s most famous son was the 5th Earl, the internationally renowned photographer Patrick Lichfield, who died in 2005. His private apartments can be visited as part of a tour of the house. The mansion is set in 900 acres of idyllic parkland, there's a historic farm with rare breeds - and the garden is a peach. If you're a conspiracy lover, Shugborough is also famous for alleged associations with the Holy Grail. The property has been owned by the National Trust since the 1960s but leased to and managed by Staffordshire County Council. In 2016, the Council handed the property back to the National Trust, who decided to close it until March 2017 to enable upgrading works to take place.
Nr Stafford
The ruins of the grand palace of the bishops of St Davids sit next to the Cathedral - the latter still very much in use. The palace dates from the 13th century though it is largely the work of Bishop Henry de Gower (1328-47). Even now, it is impressive, with decorative chequered stonework, carved faces staring down at you from the past and a grand banqueting hall. The rose window in the east gable is a peach. It must have been hard, being a bishop.
Arguably one of the best attractions in London, the Tower has been so many things - Norman fortress, medieval palace, prison, place of execution - even a zoo. There is so much to see, not least the Crown Jewels. Don't let the queues put you off, allow plenty of time and soak up the atmosphere.
Most people walk past the sparse remains of the once enormous London Palace of the Bishops of Winchester. Not much to see - but an amazing history.
The ruins are managed by Bankside Open Spaces Trust on behalf of English Heritage.
Bankside
Southwark
Windsor Castle was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror and is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been used by the British monarchy for almost 1,000 years and is an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen, whose standard flies from the Round Tower when she is at home. Parts are open to the public, including the State Apartments and St George's Chapel. A further highlight is Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
However, because Windsor Castle is a working palace, opening arrangements are subject to change, sometimes at short notice, and you should check before making a special journey.
Woburn Abbey is one of the great treasure houses of Britain. It began life as a Cistercian abbey. The estate was given to John Russell, later Earl of Bedford, by Edward VI in 1547 and his ancestors became the Dukes of Bedford. Woburn Abbey is still the home of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, but has been open to the public since 1955. The Palladian mansion contains a world-famous art collection, including works by Canaletto, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Lely, Rembrandt, Tintoretto and Van Dyck, as well as collections of porcelain and silver. The estate also includes gardens, a deer park and the Woburn Safari Park.
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.