Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild built Waddesdon Manor  between 1874 to 1889. He used Waddesdon to entertain his guests and display his vast 18th-century French decorative art collection. Typical were the Savonnerie carpets and Sèvres porcelain which rank, in relevance and importance with those kept in the Louvre in Paris and the Royal and Wallace Collections in London.  Baron Ferdinand also collected portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds, and his art treasures included the 17th century works  by Dutch and Flemish Masters.

Waddesdon Manor has one of the most beautiful gardens in Britain famous for its Parterre, seasonal displays, shady walks and views. At its heart lies the Aviary stocked with species that were once part of Baron Ferdinand’s collection. The Wine Cellars, modelled on the private cellars at Château Lafite-Rothschild contain thousands of bottles of wine which date back to 1868.

Visitors  to Waddesdon Manor:

Visitors to Waddesdon require ‘timed tickets’ to enter the Manor.  During August admission for children is free, and if you are a visitor to the house you must also have a ticket for the gardens.

This Victorian Grade II listed property stands at the gates of Waddesdon Manor, home to the Rothschild art collection and owned by the National Trust. Five Arrows was built to accommodate the various artisans during the construction of Waddesdon in the late 1880s and it derives its name from the Rothschild family emblem.

Winner of Tourism South East’s Silver Award for ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ 2009, The Five Arrows is very charming and full of character and the bedrooms are beautifully appointed in a classical country house style. Each bedroom is named after a Rothschild residence and is individually designed with antiques and original pieces from the Manor.

The food is excellent and they pride themselves on being able to provide everything from a simple light lunch to a full-scale gastronomic event for a wedding or banquet. The modern European menu includes such dishes as pan fried sea trout and Whitchurch bred rib-eye steak.

Other classic dishes include bubble and squeak with bacon and steamed mussels with Rothschild white wine. The wine list encompasses everyday and rare wines from both New and Old World vineyards. Guests receive a complimentary ticket for the gardens at neighbouring Waddesdon Manor.

Click on the link if you would like to learn more about The Five Arrows restaurant.

Waddesdon Manor was primarily built to house the vast collection of art belonging to Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. The Manor was built between 1874 and 1889 and the Baron brought in a French architect who designed the building in the style of a French Renaissance chateau. It was the Baron’s great knowledge of the 18th century art that led him to have the Manor designed in the style of the chateau. The Baron was a Member of Parliament for the local constituency, and was a keen participant in the matters of local affairs as a Justice of the Peace. Waddesdon Manor had received many notable personalities in the past, and amongst them were Queen Victoria, Lord Roseberry and de Maupassant.

Manor weddings:

The Dairy in Waddesdon Manor is presently being used by many for memorable weddings. The romantic backdrop offered by the Diary is the perfect romantic environment for a wedding to take place. The Dairy is situated within the glorious greens of the Manor gardens, and it is a beautiful private building. The Waddesdon Estate was created for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 19th Century and it has been the country retreat for the family for over 100 years.

The Dairy provides a nostalgic charm to the guests and a taste of the privileged lifestyle, as they would enjoy the most delicious food, excellent wines, and the warmth and charm of a perfect location for a wedding to take place. The Dairy sits within a tranquil atmosphere by the waterside amidst the wonderful greenery of the Manor gardens. The Dairy provides you with exclusive environment, rooms which have been designed elegantly with roaring log fires burning in every room in the winter. A wide terrace having two pavilions projects into the lake and this makes a perfect place to relax and have summer drinks under the shade. No matter which season it is, the Dairy offers the most romantic backdrop all the year round.

The largest room in the Dairy is called the ‘West Hall’. This room has a ‘tall vaulted ceiling’ having two huge open fireplaces, with the door in the room opening out directly on to the terrace. This hall is used as a dining room for the guests in which maximum of 110 people can be accommodated, and has 10 round tables. The hall overlooks the Wintergarden, and with its classical conservatory type structure, and all these presents a perfect atmosphere for wedding ceremonies.

The Pavilions and the terrace are situated at the West side of the Dairy, and the long terrace overlooks the lake. This terrace is aptly called the ‘Lake Terrace’. The lake is the home of extensive collection of waterfowl. The Manor has two Pavilions, and both project into the lake, making them an ideal place to have summer drinks as you relax.

Waddesdon Manor is managed by the National Trust in the UK, and is considered to be a National Trust property which comes under the cultural and historic importance to the nation, containing valuable works of art. When the Manor is let out for weddings, it is mandatory that you get a public liability insurance cover which has a minimum value of £2m. The insurance cover is arranged by the Manor management, and you would be required to carry a copy of the cover when you visit the Manor for your wedding planning meeting.

If you would like to learn more, please visit the Waddesdon Weddings website

The Manor Restaurant at Waddesdon Manor was recenctly visited by Christopher Gray of the Oxford Times, you can read about his experiences by visiting his page.

Start your Christmas shopping early and more importantly beat the queues and crowds on the high street. We’ll have over 40 stalls with gift ideas for the whole family, from vintage garden tools, accessories for the home, beauty products, jewellery, books and traditional children’s games.

Here is a list of stallholders, although please note that this may change at short notice.

Interested in having your own stall? Here are the full details of registering your interest in the Christmas Gift Fair.

Royal College of Arts

In November 2007 Waddesdon commissioned Royal College of Art (RCA) student designers to create a range of products to be sold in its shop. Over thirty design prototypes were submitted and a panel of judges from the RCA and Waddesdon selected ten overall winners. The designs went into production this summer and are available to buy exclusively in Waddesdon Manor’s Gift Shop

Date: Sunday 1 November
Time: 11.00-4.00
Price: Normal House and Garden admission charges apply
Venue: House, The Power House

Additional Info: The 18th Century Family Day is subject to change, please check on the day for venues

To mark the end of the main House season we have a packed programme of events and activities, all designed to take you back to the 18th century. In the House, come and meet Queen Marie-Antoinette and men and women from the 18th century. In the Gardens, why not get your face painted and listen to story telling.

For full details, please visit the event homepage.

If you are looking for a perfect venue for a Christmas Party with a difference, nothing can match the atmosphere of Waddesdon Manor.

This imposing French style chateau, built in the 1870’s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, has won numerous awards including:

• Best National Trust Property 1997
• Excellence in England Silver Award 2002
• Museum and Heritage Award for Excellence 2003
• Enjoy England Silver Award Winner of Excellence 2006
• Tourism ExSEllence Awards 2007

Waddesdon Manor offers an unrivalled experience for a Christmas celebration. We welcome advanced reservations for Christmas Parties at lunchtime or in the evenings. Our Christmas menus are based on historical recipes once served in the manor.

The Events Team can arrange bespoke events including an exclusive access tour of The Rothschild Collection, Wine tastingsin the Rothschild Cellars with a Master of Wine as well as unique Christmas gifts including our classing Rothschild wines.

For information or to book a party

Please phone the Events Team on 01296 653243/241/216 (Monday -Friday)

Alternatively email: events.waddesdon@nationaltrust.org.uk

Thank you to all of those that participated in MAD about Waddesdon 2009. We’re already planning for next years event and will be visiting schools shortly. In the meantime, please find below some feedback from this year. If you would like to add your own feedback, why not use our comments section below?

“Just a quick message to say thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to perform at MAD at the weekend. The children, and their parents, all felt that it was an amazing occasion and has been a real highlight of the year fro them. Thanks again.”

Chris Armstead, North Marston School

“I just wanted to thank you for the weekend. A lot of hard work must have gone into it and it showed. Well done!”.

Alison Mulford, Company Manager, Urban Strides Ltd

“Hi Marie, It was really nice to meet you and Marc on Sunday. I would just like to say thank you for your tremendous efforts in re-arranging the schedule to accommodate Westendkids. The Kids were thrilled to have the chance to perform on the main stage, they tell me that’s where they feel most at home. The whole festival was so well organised and attended please send our thanks and congratulations to your team. Once again many thanks to you and Marc and we will be only too pleased to perform at the festival next year should you wish to invite us.”

Paul Adams, Westendkids

“I hope you are beginning to recover from the weekend. I was hugely impressed by the whole event and think that you did an absolutely amazing job! I am very glad we were able to take part. Well done on a brilliant weekend.”

Miria, Juviler, Tring Park School for the Performing Arts

“Many thanks for the tickets Marie but oh what a night! Such a shame after all your hardwork in getting the event organised. The MAD festival event during the day was excellent! Best regards,”

Kathy Tyler, PA to Oliver Laird, Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, HBOS

“It was a good weekend event for Aylesbury College and there was a lot of interest in the course that we offer. For us it was a lovely, well organised event in lovely grounds and thank you for all your help. Many thanks,”

Sarah, Aylesbury College

“Just wanted to say a huge well done – MAD was fantastic! My students and their parents thoroughly enjoyed the day. I was incredibly proud of their performance so thank you for making it such a great day and for letting us take part! Congratulations on a brilliant festival! Kindest regards,”

Jenna and all at Stagecoach, Bicester

“I’ve not caught up with Sue, but I would like to personally pass on my congratulations for another huge success. I attended on Sunday and thought it was wonderful – there seemed to be more people than last year? My niece performed in the afternoon and she thoroughly enjoyed herself saying it was much better than last year! So thanks for another great event and I look forward to next year’s!”

Fáinne Smith, PA to Sue Imbriano, Strategic Director Children and Young People’s Services and Marion Clayton, Cabinet Member Achievement and Learning Buckinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA

“I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you and the team for organising such a great weekend of performing arts. It was good to see so many young people coming together to perform. You even managed to sort out a sunny weekend! Thanks from everyone at Stagecoach.”

Louise Judge

“Thank you very much for letting Theatretrain and Energy School of Dance take part last Sunday, everyone really enjoyed it and we can’t wait until next year!”

Tiffany Marsh

“It seems like a while ago now, but I just wanted to say thank you very much for another wonderful MAD weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it as did my children from Bedgrove Infants and Turnfurlong. For such young children to perform at such a great event in a beautiful setting is an amazing experience. Many thanks,”

David Mitchener

“As last year, MAD will be a high point for the entire year for Cuddington Youth Drama. I relaxed more this year, and was able to watch more of the other groups. In all of them, I saw the extraordinariness of the experience of being on such a big stage, with the incredible support of lighting and sound and audience. To be taken so seriously, to be part of something that is so fabulous in it’s entirety, breaks an unseen barrier for all of them, and has to make them feel proud. Thank you so much, thank Lord Rothschild so much, for bettering all these artists confidence in themselves! This year’s best quote from one child aged 7, the night before MAD, “Tomorrow is the most important day of my life!”. And it was. Thank you. “

Elaine English, Cuddington Youth and Drama and their appreciative parents!

The Waddesdon Manor Aviary houses a specialised collection of softbill birds (fruit and insectivious feeders) and rare and endangered species of pigeon, dove and partridge. Many of these species are managed through European studbooks due to their status in the wild.

Some of the species kept here are extremely rare in aviculture in the UK, we’re the only public collection with Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana guajana) , Collared Hill Partridges (Arborophila gingica) and Moustached Laughingthrush (Lanthocincia cineracea).

We hold at the start of each breeding season approximately 150 birds representing 38 species although overall numbers soon accelerate to 200 during the breeding season.

We have achieved several first UK breeding successes including White Bellied Go Away Birds (Corythaixoides leucogaster), Black and White Laughingthrushes (Garrulax bicolour) and Brown Breasted Barbets (Lybius melanopterus). One hundred and sixteen species have been bred at Waddesdon in the last thirty years.

The 2009 Breeding season has been very good with four new species bred here.

Green Naped Pheasant Pigeons (Otidiphaps nobils nobilis), Mindanao Bleeding Hearts (Gallicolumba cringer), Spotted Laughingthrushes (Garrulax ocellatus), Moustached Laughinthrushes (Lanthocincla cineracea) have all been successfully reared to independence this year. The Green Naped Pheasant Pigeons (Otidiphaps nobils nobilis) were only the second recorded breeding of this species in the UK. Also pleasing was the 200th breeding of four of the critically endangered blue crowned laughingthrush from china. Barbets have also produced well with spot flanked barbets and brown breasted barbet producing ten young between them. Thrushes also did well, chestnut backed and orange-headed ground thrushes producing fifteen young. The total for 2009 so far stands at fifty-seven birds reared to independence.

What we are doing now completing the ringing of all the bred and sending off feather samples for DNA sexing. Once we know the sex of the birds we start notifying studbook co-ordinators of the details so that the birds can be moved on to other collections as part of the breeding programme. Exchanges with other collections are then targeted so that as many unrelated pairs as possible can be put together. Once that is completed we look at which birds can be sent out on breeding loan an which birds we need to bring in. This is all part of preparing for the next breeding season. Then by the end of the October we are into the analysis of the breeding season; looking at what has worked and where lessons can be learnt. Deciding what changes can be tried where species have not successfully bred. We work on the principal that if something hasn’t bred then we are doing something wrong; it is rarely the bird’s fault. So we look at diet, nest box or platform design, nesting materials supplied, what other birds are housed in the aviary and anything else that could have contributed to them not breeding.

By the start of November we look at the bird collection in general and update the collection plan. It is this process that decides if we continue to work with a species, or if new species should be brought in. Conservation is the key to this, as the work we do should have real value in the overall aim of saving bird species as living creatures.