Properties and Estates

There are five Rural Surveys (Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Southern), covering approximately 18,433 hectares of land in England and Wales. These lands and properties have been acquired by the Duchy over seven centuries. Historically, this has happened through marriage, inheritance, gift and forfeiture. Nowadays, the process is one of purchase and sale.

In addition to its rural assets, the Duchy owns a number of retail and business properties in various cities. Together these form the Urban Survey. While rural holdings form the majority of the estate in terms of value and area, the commercial assets, particularly those in valuable locations such as central London, make the major contribution to the income of the Duchy.

The Duchy’s investment portfolio is subject to reviews of the overall strategy and asset allocation on a regular basis, rebalancing the holdings in the long-term interests of the whole estate.