The King’s Sandringham Estate has failed to make a regal impression on some visitors who have ­complained about the high cost of
its entrance fee and food. The Norfolk house and 60-acre garden was a favourite bolthole for the late Queen and Prince Philip, and is now a much-loved country retreat of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

It is open to the public until October, with entrance to the house and gardens costing £25 for an adult, or £15 to just see the gardens. Children and carers go free. But Sandringham has been hit by a raft of complaints about the price and quality of the food it served, poor service, “extortionate” parking and “tourist trinkets” sold in its shop.

Earlier this year a woman posted a picture of her breakfast online which she described as “not amazing”, and added the experience was “average”.

One couple visited recently and while they said the house, garden and church were “outstanding”, they complained that entry fees were “outrageously expensive, and there were long waits to be seated and served in the restaurant”. Another couple visited last month “for the first time and won’t be ­rushing back” as they complained of “extortionate” parking and poor value for money.

They said: “The restaurant is lovely to look at but that’s where it ends. The food is OK quality but very small portions and way over the top on price. A breakfast will set you back £14 for one slice of bacon, one egg, one sausage, one slice of toast and a small spoonful of mushrooms and beans.”

A family who visited last month added: “The shop sells tourist trinkets, nothing useful. Nowhere near as good as when the late Queen owned it. The cafe is overpriced and staff are belligerent.” Another family said the presentation of the breakfast “was impressive with all the fancy china” but when “the food arrived it was only cold to warm. Very poor for the price.”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.