Sandringham Visitor Centre

We have visited Sandringham many times and we arrived after midday and were looking forward to having lunch there. We had our dog with us and we were pleased to see they had a dog-friendly area in the restaurant. We were shown to a table and then told we could not order hot food, only drinks and cakes We ordered tea and while we were waiting for our tea (that wasn 't the best we have tasted) we noticed meals being served to the other parts of the restaurants. Our experience of our visit was very disappointing.

Second time we have been first time was slow on service but food was ok not brilliant but not the worst breakfast we have had, this morning however was not good we waited over 40 minutes for our food for it to come out. The Sandringham breakfast I had was horrible my wife’s was ok and my kids were passable. The young staff were more interested in socialising and helping them selfs to cake than taking table orders, everyone in the restaurant was moaning to each other about the more than poor service perhaps you should have someone managing the restaurant that gives attention to the lack of service. I used to look after all the refrigeration and kitchen equipment a few years back so now how good it once was. For the money that is being asked for it should be worth it not an experience we shall be repeating.

We made bookings afternoon to have afternoon tea in the Sandringham restaurant followed by a visit to the Luminate Christmas lights. We were staying in the region, and as Sandringham is a beautiful location, it was an ideal way to celebrate our weddings anniversary. The afternoon tea was a disappointment which was such a shame. We have had afternoon tea at Highgrove on two previous occasions, both of which were wonderful experiences, so we were really looking forward to visiting Sandringham and expected tea to be as good as those enjoyed at Highgrove or better. Sadly, it fell short by a long way. The sandwiches were okay, the fillings not exciting, we were expecting smoked salmon, always a favourite with us, but not this time. However, we don’t eat meat so certainly we were very pleased not to have ham or pork products. The baked savouries, scones and pastries were over baked and the texture of some too dry to eat. We left feeling very disappointed. The local jam and cream, however, were delicious. I would like to say in defence of the Sandringham property that the staff were excellent. We voiced our concerns about the tea which they passed on to the kitchen. I don’t think it helped that there were so few people in the restaurant. Probably during the summer months when there are more visitors, the experience and the tea, would be more appealing. The lights by Luminate were wonderful. We went early evening so it was not crowded. Plenty of staff were available if required and at the halfway point, there were stalls for food and drink. It was an easy walk with plenty to see and enjoy the changing scenery, but I would imagine quite a long way for little legs!

Wonderful experience. Excellent customer care and service . Thoroughly enjoyed late afternoon cream tea. Will be back .

Dogs not allowed, well not unusual, but you can’t order to eat outside. Which was a shame as the menu looked very attractive.. All was not lost as the takeaway cafe is next door, though with different choices..