Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
A guide to Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, England, highlighting history and
visitor information.
Home > Destinations > England > Buckinghamshire > Waddesdon Manor
SITE MAP

Home
Accommodation
 Hotels
 Hostels
 B&B
 Self catering
Attractions
 England
 Buckinghamshire

Travel Guide

Towns and Villages Gazetteer
  Aylesbury
  Amersham

Castles
Gardens
Historic Churches
Historic Houses
Museums

Travel Resources
Tourist Information Centres
Travel links

Accommodation
Buckinghamshire Hotels
  Aylesbury
  Milton Keynes
Self Catering
Bed & Breakfast


 Scotland
 Wales
 London
Travel Services
 Tours
 Rail Tickets
 Car Rental
Tourist Info Centres
 England
 Scotland
 Wales
Heritage
 History
 Culture
Travel Directory
 England
 Wales
 Scotland
 B&B
 Hotels
 Tour Operators
 Car Rental
 Walking Holidays
 Waterways  Holidays
 more....
About
 Contact
 About us
spacer
  
England
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire map

 

Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon was begun by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874. The Rotschild banking clan seemed drawn to the Vale of Aylesbury in the 19th century (witness Ascott House), yet for their house designs they turned to their European heritage. Waddesdon looks like nothing so much as a French chateau dropped down in the middle of an English landscape.

French architect Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur was employed to design a huge hilltop house looking out over pastoral landscape to the Chilterns. The house of Bath stone is a mixture of French traditional chateau design elements, with round turreted towers soaring high above a mansard roof. A broad avenue leads up the hill to the house, and formal terraced gardens behind the house open out into parkland.

The building of Waddesdon was a massive project, taking 15 years to complete. Water had to be brought in froim 14 miles away, and a special steam-powered tramway was built to haul building materials up the hill.

The exterior of the house is impressive enough, but it is ably matched by the opulent interior. Built in the style of 18th century France, even the panelling was imported from Parisian houses. Richly decorated rooms are augmented by plastered and painted ceilings. The ornate rooms act as a setting for a remarkable collection of fine art, furniture, ceramics, and carpets. To pick out only one of numerous prize furniture pieces, there is an inlaid writing table crafted for Marie Antoinette. Look for the carpet commissioned by Louis XIV for the Louvre; it is nearly 1/4 mile in length!

Surprisingly, amidst all this French opulence, there is an excellent collection of 18th century English portraits, including Gainsborough's Pink Boy, and 10 works by Reynolds. There are also a variety of Dutch paintings, including The Garden of Love, by Rubens.

Waddesdon is one of the great stately homes in the south of England, though little about the house speaks of "Englishness". The house hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including wine-tasting evenings and outdoor concerts.

Address:
Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon, nr Aylesbury
HP18 0JH
Telephone : Fax 01296 653212
Bookings 01296 653226
Administration 01296 653203
Infoline : 01296 653211
Website : www.nationaltrust.org.uk/regions/thameschilterns

Events:
study days, floodlit opening, wine tastings, children’s and other events organised throughout the year; for details tel. 01296 653226

Location:
Waddesdon village, 6ml NW of Aylesbury on A41; M40 (westbound) exit 6 or 7 via Thame & Long Crendon or M40 (eastbound) exit 9 via Bicester

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Claydon House
Stowe Gardens

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Amersham | Ascott House | Aylesbury | Brill | Buckingham | Claydon House |Cliveden | Eton | Hughenden Manor | Marlow | Stowe Landscape Gardens | Waddesdon Manor | Wendover | West Wycombe | Wing

FEATURE
An American visitor looks at Amersham


Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001

  




Accommodation
Buckinghamshire

Wychert Cottage

Haddenham
Self catering cottage

Wychert Cottage is a beautifully converted bakehouse in the conservation area of Haddenham. Downstairs the cottage has a roomy lounge with semicircular dining area and … more >>
Sleeps 4

More cottages in Buckinghamshire >>


Buckinghamshire

Wychert Cottage

Haddenham
Self catering cottage

Wychert Cottage is a beautifully converted bakehouse in the conservation area of Haddenham. Downstairs the cottage has a roomy lounge with semicircular dining area and … more >>
Sleeps 4

More cottages in Buckinghamshire >>



Slough (Hotel)

The Pinewood Hotel and 21 days parking

The Pinewood Hotel is a brand new 49 bedroom 4 star boutique style hotel. Situated in 5 acres of mature woodland yet only minutes to key local and national transport links as well as being an ideal location for Heathrow. The Pinewood Hotel offers a selection of contemporary standard and … more >>

More hotels in Buckinghamshire >>


Slough (Hotel)

The Pinewood Hotel and 8 days parking

The Pinewood Hotel is a brand new 49 bedroom 4 star boutique style hotel. Situated in 5 acres of mature woodland yet only minutes to key local and national transport links as well as being an ideal location for Heathrow. The Pinewood Hotel offers a selection of contemporary standard and … more >>

More hotels in Buckinghamshire >>