Waddesdon Manor

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Waddesdon
nr Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP18 0JH
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 01296 653226
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Magnificent house and grounds in the style of a 16th-century French château:

Built for the Rothschilds in the late 19th century
World-renowned collection of French furniture, paintings and decorative arts
Woodland Playground and wildlife interpretation trail
Landscaped park with shady walks, beautiful panoramas, fountains and grottoes
Vast rococo-style aviary, housing colourful exotic birds
Shop selling a unique range of gifts and the full range of Rothschild wines

Waddesdon Manor was built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to entertain his guests and display his vast collection of 18th-century French decorative arts. The furniture, Savonnerie carpets and Sèvres porcelain rank in importance with those in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris. Outstanding are the portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds, works by 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters, and a spectacular silver dinner service made for George III. The extensive wine cellars can be visited. Waddesdon has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, renowned for its seasonal displays, statuary and restored pleasure garden. There is a rose garden, and the rococo-style aviary, newly painted and gilded, houses a splendid collection of exotic birds. Look out for changing displays in the refurbished Coach House and the Woodland Playground.

Open:

Gardens/shops/restaurants
2 Feb–16 Mar 08	10–5						Sa	Su
19 Mar–23 Dec 08	10–5			We	Th	Fr	Sa	Su
27 Dec–31 Dec 08	10–5	Mo	Tu	We			Sa	Su
3 Jan–31 Jan 09	10–5						Sa	Su
House
19 Mar–26 Oct 08	12–4			We	Th	Fr
19 Mar–26 Oct 08	11–4						Sa	Su
Christmas season in house
12 Nov–23 Dec 08	12–4			We	Th	Fr
12 Nov–23 Dec 08	11–4						Sa	Su
22 Dec–23 Dec 08	12–4	Mo	Tu
Bachelors' wing
19 Mar–26 Oct 08	12–4			We	Th	Fr
Coffee bar
19 Mar–23 Dec 08	11–5			We	Th	Fr	Sa	Su
Summerhouse
19 Mar–26 Oct 08	11–5			We	Th	Fr	Sa	Su
KEY:Only open on days stated above.
Admission by timed ticket only, inc. NT members. Open BH Mons. Last admission 1hr before closing. Sculpture in garden uncovered week before Easter, weather permitting. Bachelors' Wing: space limited and entry cannot be guaranteed. Coffee bar & summerhouse open weather permitting

Other Information:

Gift Aid Admission. (Standard Admission prices in brackets) Grounds only (5 Jan–16 Mar, weekends; 19 Mar–31 Dec, weekdays excluding 24, 25 & 26 Dec): £5.50 (£5), child £2.75 (£2.50), family £13.75 (£12.50). Groups (£4.50), child (£2.20). Grounds only (19 Mar–31 Dec excluding 24, 25 & 26 Dec, weekends & BHols): £7 (£6.30), child £3.50 (£3.10), family £17.50 (£15.70). Groups (£5.80), child (£2.90). House (5 Jan–16 Mar, weekends; 19 Mar–26 Oct, weekdays): £7.70 (£7), child £6.60 (£6). Groups (£6.30), child (£5.40). House (19 Mar–26 Oct, weekends & BHols): £8 (£7.20), child £7.50 (£6.80). Groups (£6.50), child (£6.10). Christmas Season in House (12 Nov–23 Dec, weekends): £5 (£4.50), child £2.50 (£2.20). Groups (£4.10), child (£2). Christmas Season in House (12 Nov–23 Dec, weekdays): £4.50 (£4), child £2.25 (£2). Groups (£3.60), child (£1.80). Admission free for children in Aug. To visit the house a grounds ticket must be purchased. There are a limited number of house tickets, and they sell out quickly on busy days (especially BHols and Christmas weekends). Timed tickets to the house can be bought up to 24 hours in advance (booking charge £3 per transaction). Tel. Mon to Fri 10–4 (not BHs). Groups must book and pay in advance. Please note that special admission prices will apply for the MAD about Waddesdon Festival in 2008.

Audio guide - Adult and family audio tours of the house, £2. Includes free child audio tour

Events - Special interest days, children's activities, wine tastings, music evenings, garden workshops, floodlit opening, Christmas events. Manor Restaurant monthly evening openings Guided tours - Guided walks around the garden Country walks. Wildlife interpretation trail

Important note - All visitors (inc. NT members) require timed tickets to enter the house, available from the ticket office. Last recommended admission to house 2:30. 28 & 29 July 'MAD about Waddesdon' festival, special admission prices apply (inc. NT members)

Shopping - Gift and wine shops. Wine warehouse. Plant centre

Parking - Free parking

Education - Live interpretation. Adult study days. Audio-visual presentations

Families & children - Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Woodland playground and wildlife interpretation trail. Children's quiz/trail. Aviary. Children welcome in house under supervision. House tours for children during the school hols. Admission free for children in Aug

Refreshments - Manor Restaurant (not NT) (licensed). Open for breakfast, lunch and tea. Full Rothschild wine list. Children's menu. Stables Restaurant (not NT) (licensed) 800yds downhill from Manor. Buggy transfer available. Simple fresh food. Children's menu. Summerhouse kiosk in the gardens and coffee bar kiosk in shop courtyard – both open in good weather for alfresco snacks.

Mobility information
Parking - Separate parking, 400yds. Drop-off point

Building - Ramped entrance. 4 wheelchairs. Ground floor accessible. Only 2 wheelchairs are admitted per floor at one time. Lift to other floors. Audio visual/video. Mobility scooters and walking stools not allowed in the house. Stairlift to Prints and Drawings Rooms, alternative route to the Wine Cellars. Tel. in advance
WCs - next to shop at Manor and at the Stables

Grounds - Partly accessible, loose gravel paths, steep slopes. Map of accessible route

Shop - Level entrance

Refreshments - Level entrance. Stables restaurant and shop are located downhill from the house. Transfer available

Visual information - Large-print guide

Audio information - Induction loop in reception, shop, restaurant and ticket office and powerhouse

(Images property of National Trust www.ntpl.org.uk/index2.pgi)

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