Splendid Waddesdon Manor & Garden, Buckinghamshire

Itinerary

The Manor House at Waddesdon

Where else can you find a French Renaissance château, built by a Rothschild in the 19th century, and filled with royal treasures and many objects with an exceptional story to tell?

Waddesdon was created to impress. It was only used on summer weekends to entertain Baron Ferdinand’s friends and family. The mirrors and marble of the Dining Room evoke a mini Versailles. The richly decorated table is set for a party of 24, just as it was in his day.

Fascinated by the history and culture of France, he commissioned a French architect, Gabriel Hippolyte Destailleur, to build him a Renaissance-style chateau, based on those in the Loire Valley, and employed a French garden designer, Elie Lainé to lay out the grounds.

The highest quality 18^th century French decorative arts are displayed alongside magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Master paintings in 40 elegant interiors. The Rothschild Foundation (Jacob, Lord Rothschild) now manages Waddesdon on behalf of the National Trust, and has continued to add to the collections, with both 18^th-century and contemporary art.

Before your visit you can download a free digital guide app to explore the Manor and its collection.

Waddesdon Manor is managed by the Rothschild Foundation (charitable trust) on behalf of the National Trust. All proceeds from Waddesdon’s restaurants and shops is invested in the care of the gardens, house and collections.

The gardens at Waddesdon

Unlike other gardens which may have updated their planting over the years this garden remains truly Victorian with bedding schemes, designed and planted out twice a year. The parterre alone requires 16,000 bedding plants! There are four different walks you can take to see the gardens and wider estate, from 25-minute strolls to 1-hour explorations.

Waddesdon is famous for its Carpet Bedding and every spring and summer the gardeners change the design of the beds on the Parterre and on either side of the South Fountain.

Found a short distance from the Manor is the beautifully restored Aviary, surrounded by intricate raised ribbon bedding. The 18-century sculptures, carpet bedding displays and contemporary art pieces in the gardens are among the most distinctive features at Waddesdon Manor.

Refreshments

Treat yourself to a 2-course lunch in The Manor Restaurant for an additional £28.00. There will be 3 choices per course.

Sample Menu

MAIN COURSE

Tagliatelle with carrot top pesto, sun blushed tomatoes, parmesan shavings & walnut gremolata (v)

Chicken supreme with crushed new potatoes, seasonal vegetables & thyme butter jus

Roasted loin of cod, potato rosti, wilted greens & tartare beurre blanc

DESSERT

Dark chocolate tart with Chantilly cream & raspberry compote (v)

Vanilla crème brulee with all butter lemon shortbread (v)

Lime cheesecake mousse with mango & passionfruit salsa & coconut macadamia crumble (v) (n)

Tea & Coffee

Alternatively, bring a picnic or visit the The Manor Restaurant independently or The Stables Café for a more informal setting.

The Stables Courtyard also houses the Coach House Gallery where visitors can enjoy a changing programme of special exhibitions.

Travel arrangements

Departing Shrewsbury 08.45 and arriving back in Shrewsbury at 19.30. All timings are provisional and will be confirmed 7-days before travel and are dependent upon traffic on the day.

Booking your place

The tour price is £58 per person for National Trust Members and £81 for non-members. Please bring your membership card on the day.

Book an optional 2-course lunch + £28.00.

Non-refundable deposit £20 per person payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Includes return coach travel, entry into Waddesdon Manor House & Garden, self-guided house tour and free time in the gardens.

And finally…

We have an ‘All Weather Policy’ which means the tour will go ahead come rain or shine unless the Met Office announces it is unsafe to travel.

Accessibility & Mobility

Follow this link to read more about accessibility & mobility arrangements at Waddesdon. The link goes to the Waddesdon Home Page. Scroll down and click on the Accessibility tab for further details.

The following is also available. Free shuttle bus tickets for Blue Badge holders and essential companions. Wheelchairs available upon request (first come, first served basis).

Grounds: partly accessible, some loose gravel paths and steep slopes. Assistance dogs are welcome in house, garden and shuttle buses.

National Trust Images: Images of Waddesdon Manor on this page are copywrite to the National Trust and reproduced with their kind permission.

Splendid Waddesdon Manor & Garden, Buckinghamshire

Tour Information

We haven’t had a summer visit to Waddesdon for 6 years! We expect the weather to be considerably warmer than our trip to the Christmas market and light trail in 2020.

Included in the Tour

Victorian Gardens