The Duke of York's new home on the Sandringham Estate, Marsh Farm, is at risk of flooding, according to an Environment Agency flood map. The property sits on a flood plain near Dersingham Bog, which has experienced flooding in the past due to its proximity to The Wash estuary.
The farmland surrounding Marsh Farm lies below sea level, but rainwater normally drains to Wolferton Pumping Station, which can pump 96,000 litres per minute. The station was originally opened by King George VI in 1948 and a new environmentally friendly version was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.
Despite these precautions, a flood risk assessment for nearby Wolferton Barns advised registering for flood warnings in case of a mechanical breakdown at the pumping station. The assessment noted that during an extreme event, sufficient time would be available to take precautionary actions, and emergency pumping equipment would be deployed if needed.
The government website rates the area as a low flood risk but warns that flooding is hard to predict and risks could change over time. Andrew can take measures such as installing barriers, pumps, and sandbags to mitigate potential flooding.
Other royals have experienced flooding: King Charles's Birkhall home in Scotland was flooded in 2016, and Queen Camilla's Wiltshire home, Ray Mill House, was affected by flooding in 2024, with Camilla describing the scene as like a seaside with birds sailing on the water.
