Waddesdon Manor

Manor house · Waddesdon

Waddesdon Manor

Manor house · Waddesdon

3

Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH, United Kingdom

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Waddesdon Manor by GavinJA/CC BY-SA 3.0
Waddesdon Manor by National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (John Bigelow Taylor)/CC BY-SA 4.0
Waddesdon Manor by National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (Mike Fear)/CC BY-SA 4.0
Waddesdon Manor by GLEN BOWMAN
Waddesdon Manor by National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (John Bigelow Taylor)/CC BY-SA 4.0
Waddesdon Manor by Glen Bowman/CC BY 2.0
Waddesdon Manor by Glen Bowman/CC BY 2.0
Waddesdon Manor by National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (John Bigelow Taylor)/CC BY-SA 4.0
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null
Waddesdon Manor by null

Highlights

Waddesdon Manor is a lavish Victorian French chateau near London, boasting opulent art, stunning gardens, and the world's largest private Rothschild wine collection.  

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Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH, United Kingdom Get directions

waddesdon.org.uk

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Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 1296 820414
waddesdon.org.uk
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@WaddesdonManor

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Jul 30, 2025

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@atlasobscura

18 Weird, Wondrous Places for Wine-Lovers Around the Globe

"Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, England, is a Neo-Renaissance French château that was built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. As you approach the magnificent building, it almost feels as if you’ve been magically transported to France. The wine cellars, a relatively newer addition to the estate, add to the luxurious French ambiance. The wine cellars hold the world’s largest private collection of Rothschild wines, the renowned wine estate in Bordeaux that’s been producing some of the world’s priciest reds since the 19th century. At Waddesdon, more than 15,000 bottles, some of which are around 150 years old, are stored in the underground vaults. Most of the bottles are from the Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild estates. Rothschild wines are also known for their labels, many of which were designed by famous artists of the day. The Waddesdon wine cellars also include a remarkable collection of wine labels designed by artists such as Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol, as well as a sculpture of Bacchus, the god of wine, that dates to around 1740. The wine cellars were created as part of a restoration honoring the 100-year anniversary of the estate. They opened to the public in 1994. The subterranean brick rooms were designed to look like the private cellars at Château Lafite Rothschild in France. Waddesdon Manor, now owned by the National Trust (having been bequeathed by James de Rothschild in 1957), also contains an internationally renowned art collection that includes an extraordinary musical automaton elephant that dates from 1774 and was made by the French clockmaker Martinet. The exterior of the house played the role of the fictional Haxby Park in the second season of Downton Abbey (2011). The interior has been featured in numerous movies, including the James Bond remake of Never Say Never Again, where Largo challenges Bond in the World Domination Game." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/best-wineries-in-the-world
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@atlasobscura

"The luxurious English estate houses the world’s largest private collection of French Rothschild wines."

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/waddesdon-manor-wine-cellars
18 Weird, Wondrous Places for Wine-Lovers Around the Globe
View Postcard for Waddesdon Manor
@cntraveler

On Location: Netflix's ‘Rebecca’ Takes Viewers from Monte Carlo to Cornwall

"We shot her [hotel] suite, however, at Waddesdon Manor in the U.K. because it has a very French influence, and is very florid and overblown in style. (It’s a Rothschild house run by the National Trust.)"

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/on-location-netflix-rebecca
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Ramindu Thivanka Jayasuriya

Google
It was an exceptional experience. The place is vast and elegant. You could easily spend a whole day here. The organisers are wonderful and the tour is very well organised. If you've any queries, they're always happy to answer. The house tour is something out from this world, the luxury and the collection you can't fathom. If you plan to opt out of the house tour, the ground visit is still having plenty of things to do. The kids' play area is one of those to keep them occupied, rose garden, birds watching plenty of things in the ground. Must visit place in the UK

Janet Fraser

Google
Incredible House.Wealth Excess Crazy Tasteless Garish Unbelievable so many ways to describe this amazing French Chateau plonked in the rolling hills of south England.The gardens are Incredible and the views to die for. Wheelchair and other circumstances well taken care of as staircases are the way up .......allow at least 2hours .The volunteer guides are just lovely and exude charms

Matthew Brookes

Google
Another gem for the national trust to be looking after a big playground for the kids or adults toilets 🚻 spotless and clean dogs allowed on the land but not in the house and only on the outside of the cafe. A small car park free for members and blue badge holders £4 elsewhere. A big picnic area gets busy on hot days and school holidays. Cafe as normal national trust fair. Routes are long and good 👍

Paul Almond

Google
Fantastic stately home. Home to the Rothschild family. Many artefacts with very ornate rooms. Fantastic and immaculately kept gardens. Bus ride up the hill to the house from the car park is worth it if you don’t fancy the half hour walk.

Farukh Hamid

Google
Great day out with family. Kids enjoyed the play area. Beautiful garden with colourful flowers, nice maintained grass land. Definitely visiting again since kids liked the play area.

maureen treavett

Google
The house is full of amazing treasures which were collected by the Rothschild family. There are extensive gardens with many beautiful mature trees. It was a bit early for the annuals in the parterre beds, but the roses were spectacular. The parking is about a mile from the house but there's a shuttle bus costing £2 50 p a day and you can get on at different places to return. Don't miss the aviary with lots of rare birds.

Valentina Adina

Google
W O W ! Is a very beautiful place where you can see a different house/palace! Is full of history and also very unique items. Love it! From the carpark you can walk to the house or take the bus, costing 2£.

nicholas Titley

Google
Had a lovely walk round the gardens and the house. It was a lovely sunny day when we visited. The gardens are really well kept and are lovely to walk round even the wooded paths are great as there are so many different well established trees. They have an Avery in the garden with some different bird species. The house has something of interest to all I am told the paintings are awesome but my interest is clocks and they have some beautiful ones. The walk round the house is unescorted so you can spend as much time as you like looking at things, they do do escorted tours too. The staff in each room are very knowledgeable. There's a large car park but it's well away from the house you can get a bus or you can do the 20 minute walk through well kept open land then trees. In the carpark there are rest rooms that were very clean and tidy. The bus option runs every ten minutes and takes you up to the big fountain in front of the house, it also stops at the stables where there's a big kids play area. There are extra rest rooms at the house and at the stables. There a shop that sells wine and souvenirs. You can get a full meall in the restaurant menu only has three choices but the food looked good, There a tea and snack bar to the side of the house the snacks are very good and competitively priced. At the stables there's more food with a number of different options. This is a national trust property it's worth the entry fee, the bus is an extra £5. We had a great day out it's well worth a visit.
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Reena S.

Yelp
I loved my visit here! This castle of a manor is stunning inside and out. I enjoyed seeing the decorations (chandeliers everywhere!), the family's gem display, and the wine cellars. Outside you will see the most beautiful fountains and flowers!
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Candy S.

Yelp
Amazing French manor. Went during the Christmas festivities. Beautiful light walks, décor inside, lots of food and locals selling wares. I reccommend a visit and will come back in warm weather!
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The Diva Soprano B.

Yelp
My review is mixed for our visit to Wadderston. The house was spectacular and the interior tour was worth every penny. I would highly recommend the house tour. However, the reason I only gave two stars is because I was deeply disappointed in the afternoon tea and Rose Garden. The first photo on their afternoon tea website page looks beautiful but unfortunately it misrepresents what you will actually experience with teatime. Here's my take; 1. I expected such a spectacular manor house to have an elegant afternoon tea. Instead it was most unimpressive. 2. The room looked like servants quarters or a basic canteen room. Cheap tables, with uncomfortable plastic chairs. Doesn't even compare to the spectacular tea I had at Luton Hoo ( I highly recommend Luton Hoo afternoon tea)!!! 3. They were understaffed, leaving us parched for tea. Unfortunately they didn't have milk on the table and by the time we got the server's attention, the tea went cold. It was just as hard to get their attention to ask for a second cup, which came just as we were leaving. So much for unlimited hot tea. 4. The savory food was not served on an elegant tiered stand. Instead on a plain, ugly flat plate (see photo). 5. No Traditional finger sandwiches, not even one. 6. They ignored my request twice for no seafood. I made this request during booking and again when the server asked if we had any food allergies at the start of service. They then served me salmon on my plate! 7. No basic substitutions. I asked them if I could have a second croissant as a substitute for the salmon option they incorrectly served me and I was told they don't have a single croissant to spare. ( seems unrealistic and unreasonable). 8. The savory options were unappealing, bland and disappointing. It was a struggle to get through this course. 9. The sweets were better and quite delicious. However, I was disappointed the scones didn't have raisins or the option to have them. The shape of the scones were unprofessional and wildly irregular to the point they didn't even look like scones. I have been making them for years and not once have mine come out so oddly shaped. Also disappointing that we were only allowed ONE scone each. Isn't afternoon tea all about scones, clotted cream and jam. Would have been nice to have at least two scones each. Or the option to have one more. I would never recommend this afternoon tea! It was an absolute waste of money and my time. The grounds were grand and beautiful. However, they advertise the Rose Gardens as a sight to visit but this was an unkept, overgrown Gladiolas's garden, with maybe one rose bush, that was almost bare ( see photo). Not worth the short walk to the rose garden, as you will be disappointed with the lack of roses. Definitely do the house tour and grounds but forgo rose garden and afternoon tea.

Mr D.

Yelp
This is a review for the booking system. If you book to visit the gardens and then decide to book the house it DOUBLE charges you for grounds entry. You also can't get a refund - I asked - they said no. It basically cost me loads more as we have 6 x booked entries to the gardens and 2 x to the house. We only wanted 2 x house and 4 x gardens. When you book grounds entry it doesn't allow an upgrade or suggest you can upgrade to the house.

N A.

Yelp
Great attraction Wonderful grounds and lots of historical information a guided tour or the ushers should be able to provide more to the experience
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Mei S.

Yelp
Lovely place! Grounds are beautiful and the rooms are sumptuous, how the other lives. Owned by the famous Rothschilds banking family, this Victorian Mansion is now part of the National Trust, is opened to the public, and only an hour's drive from London. Tickets are timed to enter the building. From the car park entrance there is a shuttle bus taking you to the grounds and beautiful gardens. We went for Champagne High Tea in the Manor restaurant. A really nice experience and day out. It is served a portion each, so you have your own separate plate and small stand. We sat in the area outside under the awnings right next to the entrance to the building which when walking up from the path to the building, you would not have realised that was part of the restaurant, it looks like an information centre from afar, as there were people milling around the front! We had not realised until we left, that this area to the right of the entrance was part of the restaurant.
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Susan C.

Yelp
Overall this place is excellent for kids. There is a coffee shop for parents to refresh, and a new ice cream parlour will be opening very soon. There are three levels of playground space, swings, zip line, and a fun tube slide. Great for picnic or buy food here. Excellent for kids
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Qype User (MissGo…)

Yelp
WADDESDON MANOR built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild is definite must for all those people who are interested 17th century art. The manor which was built to display his magnificent collection of treasures,textiles and decorative arts form that era. Other than the collection there are truly magnificent grounds to walk in. You can also buy momentos to recall your visit from their shop.
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Keith T.

Yelp
I have lost count of how many times we have visited and how many guests we have taken there. The property really is a jewel in the National Trusts crown. It's also very different from the other Trust properties as it's typically french, build by Baron Rothschild. As well as the stunning gardens there is plenty to keep you occupied including the Aviary which includes Rothchilds own breed of Minor Bird. The Stables offers the best food but it can get very crowded. Waddesdon used to be a nice place to go for a quiet day out but since the NT have signed a deal with Sky TV it does feel that the place is over run with small children and people with prams. This isn't necessarilly a bad thing but it can get very crowded and no longer serves as a truly relaxing day out. Waddesdon hosts a number of interesting events throughout the year including seasonal treats suc has when the house is decorated for Christmas (previous themes include underwater fantasy, Beatrix Potter and a giant sweet factory). The early morning walks to see the wildlife on the grounds are a very nice (if not early) way to enjoy the house and it's fascinating grounds and it's occupants. The first time we went on such a trail we did see some badgers up close but we have not been so lucky since. Mainly due to the expanding number of people on these trails and the noisy gravel which now covers the trail! I highly recommend Waddesdon for a truly interesting full day out. And I've not even mentioned the interior of the house!...
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Qype User (bonker…)

Yelp
As A National Trust Member we gain access to the house and grounds free, in the summer we use the grounds as an extension of our garden for picnics and fun with the kids. Beautiful grounds and not far from Aylesbury. During the summer months we try and get there most weekends either for a picnic or just for an hour walking around the grounds, sets the day off nicely. Even in the autumn and winter its a great place for a walk and my daughter loves the childrens outside play area. Christmas in the West Wing is a must, its beautifully decorated for Xmas and the trees are out of this world. The children can do a quiz as they go around which keeps them entertained while you soak up the Christmas atmosphere. It is on timed entry and prebooking is probably well advised if you don't want too long a wait in the cold.
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Zed Z.

Yelp
This review is for the food at the restaurant in Waddesdon Manor - one belonging to Baron de Rothschild. The restaurant is within the main manor building, with few small tables, thus lending an intimate feel to the dinner service. The menu highlights (and uses only) ingredients from within 20 mile range of the restaurant, most of them raised or grown from within the the property. The wine selection is impressive and come mostly from Rothschild vineyards worldwide. All in all, an enjoyable meal!
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Jacqui C.

Yelp
A great regular afternoon out here - with NT membership it need only cost the price of petrol although somehow we always succumb to the excellent cream teas or the delicious foods at the Stables shops. There are always samples there - cheese, chutney, jams, and sometimes wine - which are always worth trying. The adventure playground has expanded a lot in recent months and is worth a visit for children between 3 and 14, and their patient parents. You may wish to send tired grandparents off to the tea rooms or aviary, though, as there are few benches The house itself is stunning, but - without small children in attendance - we get as much pleasure from walking quietly around the beautifully maintained grounds. Even on very busy days you can walk quite a long way without seeing another visitor.
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Qype User (malkb…)

Yelp
There is so much to write about Waddesdon but here are my highlights.You must go yourself ,it is a fabulous day out.Go in the summer and picnic on the grass.Waddesdon was built between 1874 and 1889 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild.It was built pricipally to display his massive collection of art and treasures and to invite his influential and fashionable friends to for entertaining on a lavish scale.Waddesdon nowadays is a premier league attraction with around 45 rooms displaying beautiful French furniture and art .Outside there are woodland trails and activities for children and one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain. Commercially Waddesdon makes it's money from many types of restaurant/cafes, a plant centre,food ,wines and gifts. Well worth a visit.
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Christian S.

Yelp
The grounds are great, but don't waste the extra on going into the house unless you really like porcelain or paintings. The house is NOT for kids! There is no information in the house on it's history either.
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Qype User (jk4…)

Yelp
This is a gem of a day out set in stunning Buckinghamshire,take all the famiy you will love it.
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Qype User (nadiro…)

Yelp
We love this place and have visited so many times! Its stunning to walk around the grounds and woods in the spring and summers months with beautiful colours, although it's quite magical in the winter too! A beautiful day trip with the family or if like us a romantic walk for a lazy day!
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Qype User (atparr…)

Yelp
Waddesdon Manor is a wonderful place to visit, especially on al ovely sunny day. That way you make the most of the gardens. There are a couple of restaurants on the site, which are both very good. And there is also a new childrens play area, which can get a bit busy.

Qype User (Siann…)

Yelp
Absolutely stunning. Beautifully kept gardens to walk around and the decor of the house is rich and gorgeous. You can fill a entire day here, but it might be worth taking a picnic if you are on a budget. It is worth visiting at any time of the year, but particularly when the house is decorated for Christmas.
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Finders K.

Yelp
Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. A wonderful chateau with beautiful gardens, this is a great cultural venue according to our Bicester team.

Qype User (addjo…)

Yelp
gr8 place to visit if you have extra time and extra money and if you like old places to visit,you will also find some resturant.its between aylesbury and bicester,so if you live in aylesbury or bicester its very easy to visit.