New Norfolk Home For Royal Family Of Four

The latest addition to the Royal Family will enjoy the rural seclusion of countryside life as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make the most of the privacy of their Norfolk home.

Anmer Hall lies on the Queen's Sandringham Estate and was a gift to the young couple when they married.

The 10-bedroom Georgian country house provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of London and their official residence at Kensington Palace, just as Balmoral does for the Queen and Highgrove for Prince Charles.

Neville Warnes, aged 84, moved to the tiny village of Anmer in 1938 as a boy and can understand the lure of the tranquil surroundings.

"You'd be hard pushed to find anywhere better I think," said the keen gardener. "It's not a big place but it's an ideal place to rear a young family."

Mr Warnes attended a carol service at Sandringham before Christmas attended by Prince William and Kate, who stayed behind to chat to parishioners.

But the privacy of the royals who visit the quiet corner of Norfolk is protected by the locals.

"That's why they like to come to Sandringham and come here at Christmas. They can get away from the city life," said Mr Warnes.

The house has been given a £1.5m refurbishment, including a new conservatory.

The driveway has also been re-routed and extra trees planted as a screen from prying eyes.

The location is perfect.

Anmer Hall is not far from the sea - the couple were recently spotted walking on the beach at Brancaster.

The village is only 50 miles from Prince William's new base in Cambridge, where he will work as a pilot with the East Anglia Air Ambulance.

And if Kate finds herself at a loose end, there is always the Women's Institute, which is looking for new members.

Mothers at a baby group in the neighbouring village of Dersingham say they are ready to offer support to a mum juggling life with a toddler and a newborn.

"We welcome anyone," said Krystal Lincoln, who attends the session with daughter Harper and son Riley.

"It would be lovely to have her in our community, and if she ever did come to the group it would be amazing really."

Jennifer Shah has only lived in the area for a year after moving from Manchester but said everyone has been welcoming to her and her sons Zane and Ashton.

"It's great. It's the perfect place to have children," she said.

The village of Anmer has a population of just 60, with no pub or shop.

But it is exactly that peace and quiet that appeals so much to a young family intent on giving their children as normal a life as possible.