First opened to the public in 1959, Waddesdon Manor is a beautiful French Renaissance château, built in the 19th century, and filled with royal treasures. Built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s to display his collections and entertain fashionable guests.
As a family, the Rothschilds were the greatest collectors of the 19th century, seeking the highest quality of workmanship and with a keen sense of historical importance. Lord Rothschild generously donated the stunning house and grounds, along with the incredible art collection, to the National Trust in 1957, and Jacob Rothschild now continues the family tradition of philanthropy restoring and preserving the house and estate.
Enquire about Experience🛣️Car journey time from London:
1.5hrs - 52.5 miles / 84.5 km
🛏️Recommended accommodation:
🏰Other History and Culture experience:
- Windsor
📆View our suggested itinerary:
The 3 Days of History and Culture Experience
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(Click the images below to dive into more wonderful experiences!)
The moment Ferdinand de Rothschild gained his inheritance in 1874, he secured his chosen piece of land in Buckinghamshire and the design and building work
began on the stunning Waddesdon Manor.
The evidence of Ferdinand's love of all things French is clear at every turn. His collection of stunning 18th century French china and decorative arts, including Marie Antoinette's writing desk, is second to none. When the dining room is set for a luncheon party of 24 guests, one could be forgiven for believing that you're in a room in Versailles.
Every member of the Rothschild family has made their mark on the Waddesdon estate that we see today, from Alice’s love of armoury and gardens to James Rothschild and his wife, Dorothy’s passion for horses and golf. The result is an incredible collection of antiquities in the house and fascinating grounds and gardens.
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Waddesdon is now managed by the Rothschild Trust in conjunction with the National Trust, resulting in a rather special experience for visitors. You will enjoy fine cuisine, both for lunch and afternoon tea, in the Manor Restaurant, accompanied by a selection of Rothschild wines. The cellars at Waddesdon Manor house Jacob Rothschild's personal collection of 15,000 bottles of Rothschild wines dating as far back as 1870.
Those who love Waddesdon believe that you could invest at least 3 days to fully appreciate the house and grounds, and there is a huge amount to see. A wine experience can take a day, including an expert tasting in the cellars, but you can choose the visit to suit your preferences. We do recommend at least a day to enable you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the family and the house, it is rare to find such a collection in one house.
If you choose to spend more time, the Five Arrows Hotel in the village adjacent to the estate, is a lovely boutique hotel with just 16 bedrooms and the perfect location from which to explore Waddesdon.
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Christmas at Waddesdon is back with magical lights and the gardens aglow. Festive fun with the enchanting outdoor extravaganza that will brighten the end of your year!
Christmas Fair
Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas with 80 hand-selected stalls all housed in charming wood chalets, surrounded by twinkling trees. The fair is set against the backdrop of the floodlit North Front of the Manor House with its 20ft Christmas trees. Get into the festive spirit filling yourselves with mince pies and mulled wine whilst browsing for unique gifts for loved ones.
The Winter Light Trail
As twilight falls with the spectacle of the Manor's façade illuminated with dancing lights set to music. The gardens sparkle brightly with spectacular light displays bringing the extraordinary landscape to life. The light trail transforms the Pleasure Grounds with dramatic colour and playful installations. This year the light trail will stay open until 19:30 GMT.
Stroll under the stars beneath the magically illuminated canopies transformed by moving light. From dusk, look out for the valley of flickering flames creating a sea of fire, and dozens of suspended orbs. After exploring the trail, step inside giant twinkling LED baubles and capture a special festive moment - the perfect photo opportunity to share and remember!
Due to social distancing, this year the House and Cellars will not be open and the event will only be outside.
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