Sunninghill Park facts for kids
Sunninghill Park was a large country house and estate in England, covering about 665 acres (2.7 km²). It was located just north of Cheapside.
The first house there was built in the early 1800s. It sadly burned down in 1947. A new house was then built on the same land in the late 1980s. This second house was the official home for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, from 1990 until 2004. It was sold in 2007, but later fell apart and was torn down in 2016.
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The First Sunninghill Park House
Sunninghill Park was originally part of Windsor Forest, a large royal forest. In 1630, King Charles I gave the land to Thomas Carey.
The first important house on the estate was built in the early 1800s. It was a two-story building made of stucco, with more parts added later.
A Wartime Headquarters
During World War II, from November 1943 to September 1944, the house served as the main office for the American Ninth Air Force.
A Royal Home That Never Was
In 1945, the Crown Estate Commissioners bought the property. The main house was meant to be the home for Princess Elizabeth (who later became Queen Elizabeth II) and her future husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. They were planning to move in after their wedding in November 1947.
However, on August 30, 1947, before their wedding, the house caught fire and burned down. Because of this, they rented another house called Windlesham Moor instead. In the mid-1960s, the site was even considered for a new home for Princess Margaret.
The Second Sunninghill Park House
In 1986, a 5-acre (20,000 m²) walled garden area of the estate was bought for Queen Elizabeth II. Construction began the next year on a new, two-story house made of red brick. This house was built to be the home of the Duke of York and his wife, the Duchess of York. It was finished in 1990.
Moving to Royal Lodge
After the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother passed away in 2002, it was announced that the Duke of York would move into her former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor. The Duke of York and his former wife continued to share Sunninghill Park until 2004. That year, he moved to Royal Lodge. The Duke of York used Sunninghill Park to help pay for the changes to Royal Lodge. The Duchess of York moved out in 2006.
Falling Apart and Demolition
After the royal family moved out, the house started to fall apart. By 2009, it looked very neglected. Doors were open, weeds were growing through the paths, windows were broken, and paint was peeling.
In July 2009, the local council thought about taking over the property. They considered using it to help people who didn't have homes, especially after several reports of people breaking in.
In 2013, the owner was given permission to tear down the house and build a larger one. By 2014, photos showed the former royal home was seriously damaged. The demolition was stopped for a short time when more than 100 bats were found living under its roof. Eventually, the house was completely torn down.
See also
In Spanish: Sunninghill Park para niños
