This Victorian Water Tower on King Charles’ Private Estate Is a Masterclass in Treetop Living – and Available for Rent
Commissioned in 1877, this unorthodox neo-Byzantine landmark now offers views over the Sandringham estate
In case you didn’t know, there’s a Victorian water tower high above King Charles’s estate, and it’s entering a new chapter (which could involve you).
Built in 1877 at Sandringham, the neo-Byzantine landmark has been transformed into a secluded retreat overlooking the royal residence. And it's now available to rent through Oliver’s Travels.
Designed by engineer James Mansergh, the tower was originally built with practicality in mind. After the future King Edward VII contracted typhoid at Sandringham, a new water system was commissioned for the property. The 32,000-gallon tower was designed to provide water pressure across the grounds, while its upper viewing room offered a vantage point for royal shooting parties.
Nearly 150 years later, the building has been given a new purpose without losing much of what makes it distinctive.
Inside, the design works within the tower’s existing circular footprint, with each floor taking on a different role. Curved brickwork, winding staircases, heritage-inspired colors, reclaimed materials from Sandringham, and historic royal photographs give the rooms an evident connection to their setting.
The ground floor houses the country kitchen, dining area, and bathroom. In the main living area, layered textiles ensure the space feels cozy yet luxurious, while deep-set masonry windows frame views of the surrounding grounds.
On the third floor, the living room sits at treetop level, with a working fireplace and views directly over the estate.
Meanwhile, the second floor is home to a king-size bedroom, featuring an abundance of tartan and other layered textiles that feel so distinctly British.
Shop the Water Tower-Inspired Edit
Draped across the foot of your bed, this throw adds the same mix of pattern and color, while its deeper tones work beautifully with crisp white bedding and warm wood tones. It’s a small addition, but one that can make a bedroom feel much more inviting.
To me, nothing says cozy charm like a plaid bolster pillow. I love the earthy hues of this fabric – it's perfect for a rustic scheme, especially when paired with a throw similar to the one in the Water House.
Bring some heritage style to your dresser or side table with this handsome picture frame. It's a subtle way to introduce more layered pattern into your bedroom without it feeling overwhelming (and, fittingly, from a cherished British brand).
With its vibrant geometric weave, this Moroccan hand-knotted rug is hard to resist, whether you're layering it in your bedroom (as here) or an entryway. It's timeless yet playful and will give any room a distinctive edge.
This linen-blend pillow cover pairs a blush-pink ground with a painterly floral print, and the pattern feels right at home layered over crisp white bedding, as we see here. It adds just enough color and character without making the room feel overly sweet.
The table lamps are another detail that gives this bedroom its collected feel, and this ceramic design would bring a similar look to your own space. Its softly shaped base and classic shade feel eternally classic.
The most unusual part of the tour comes in the shape of a spiral staircase that leads from the living room into the tower’s original cast-iron water tank. It's now been converted into an open-air rooftop terrace, designed with intimate dining in mind.
The terrace overlooks the Norfolk countryside, with views stretching toward the North Sea coast in the distance. It’s a clever piece of adaptive reuse that gives a once purely functional building a completely new, beautiful purpose.
If you've ever wanted to stay on a royal estate, this tower is one of the most unorthodox ways to make that fantasy a reality.
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