Cyber Diary
Waddesdon Manor - National Trust (Saturday 3rd
July 1999)
Author: Nigel
Waddesdon Manor is situated near Oxford (off M40 junction 9, head for Aylesbury, look
for brown signs as you approach Waddesdon village). This National Trust property was
originally the family home of the Rothschild family, you know, those extremely wealthy
bankers. The property is the home of the Rothschild collection and boy have they got some
amazing stuff inside the house.
The drive up to the house from the village is impressive, extensive landscaping feasts the
eye as the driveway takes the visitor through a gradual climb up to the car park close to
the house. Densely lined with trees, and several grassy mounds help to tease the visitors
imagination for what lies beyond. A short walk from the car park and there it is in its
splendour, Waddesdon Manor.
You might be excused for thinking you were somewhere in the Loire valley, the French
architectural influence is very pronounced. The building was based on the architectural
style of a French Chateaux, indeed a French architect was commissioned to design and build
it. Anyone that has visited the Chambord chateaux in the Loire valley will notice striking
similarities, in particular the two rising helical staircases which protrude as rounded
turrets from the front of the building (can just be seen at the back of the above
photograph). Unfortunately these staircases are constructed as a single helix, whereas
those of Chambord are a double helix, nevertheless impressive.
The opulence in the house is amazing and wonderfully preserved, however you might expect
this as the house was only constructed in the late 19th century. It passed into the
National Trust in 1957. There are plenty of paintings, and loads of clocks of all shapes
and sizes. The clocks seem to be a big thing here, the Rothschild's obviously collected
them in a big way. There are also a few automatons (those elaborate clockwork contraptions
that have hundreds of moving parts that delight the eye when suitably wound up).
Gardens are nice to walk around and they have a massive bird aviary with an unusual
collection of exotic birds (including mynah birds), but surprisingly no parrots.
Restaurant is ok, if a bit snooty, but there was a funny smell inside which is why we
preferred to sit outside for our second visit (cream tea of course!). Toilets were top
notch, very clean and pleasant with lots of space to swing a cat.
Overall impression.
Good gardens and landscaping, house architecture, internal decoration and contents are all excellent and quite surprising. Excellent day out and worth a visit.