Waddesdon Manor

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Built in the style of a French chateau, Waddesdon Manor is definitely made to impress and inside is no exception. The Victorian decor provides plenty of objects to photograph, but having so many objects in one room (as seen below) can be quite overwhelming and not to everyone’s taste. Whether you enjoy the manor will depend on why you choose to visit historic properties. If your aim is to step in to a serene space, then maybe this one isn’t for you, but if you want to see a collection of eccentric objects, then Waddesdon is a real treasure. 

This is the first room you enter. My eyes don't know where to focus.

  This gentleman was located in the wine celler.

When inside, it soon became clear that learning about the property and its contents was quite a challenge. Afterward, I found out that audio guides were available, but they not well advertised so I missed the opportunity to get one. I relied on talking to staff and volunteers to get my information instead. Those that I did meet were very knowledgeable about the plethora of historical objects on display, but unfortunately, volunteers were not present in every room, so lots of my questions went unanswered. The whole experience could have definitely been enhanced by providing more information. However, it is one of those buildings with a strong Disney castle atmosphere and in these types of properties, it can be nice to use your own imagination to create history.

They have a water fountain inside the house!

After arriving around midday, the earliest tickets I could obtain for the house were at 3 o’clock, which was an hour before it closed, so I ended up rushing through the house. I understand that the rooms would be very busy without this system, but unless you arrive before 12pm or book beforehand, you may not be able to see it! Many people arriving just after me were disappointed to discover that tickets had sold out. 

However, there are many things to explore in the grounds, which offer a lot for families and children. There are endless trails with art and sculptures throughout, in addition to the Aviary and a pretty rose garden. For me, this sort of made up for the lack of time in the house. Plus, the food in the Stables Cafe was exceptionally good, especially when coupled with the ice cream parlour next door, so everything considered, I had a good day out, but still felt the need to moan a little bit. Definitely worth a visit, but book beforehand and get an audio guide!


Spectacular topiary!




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