WADDESDON MANOR, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Afairy tale, French Renaissancestyle château in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Waddesdon Manor is one of a kind. Home to notable collections of 18th-century decorative and contemporary art, it is an extraordinary example, and rare survivor, of Rothschild splendour.

Built in the 1870s for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to entertain Victorian high society at his famous ‘Saturday to Monday parties’, Waddesdon Manor is synonymous with the art of hospitality. Now Waddesdon celebrates annually, through changing exhibitions and hosting public events such as ‘Feast’, Waddesdon’s festival of food, drink and entertainment (18 and 19 June).

The Rothschild family were some of the greatest collectors of the 19th-century, and Waddesdon boasts an internationally renowned collection of art. The magnificent French decorative arts (with pieces made for Louis XVI and MarieAntoinette), British portraiture (including paintings by Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough) and Dutch Old Masters are

ADVERTISEMENT some of the finest in the world. Exhibitions in the house offer visitors a glimpse of the cultural legacy of Waddesdon, including the current displays that evoke the experience of Ferdinand’s own visitors.

The Manor possesses an outstanding collection of wines. The cellars and wine shop contain one of the largest collections of Rothschild wines from two of the most famous Bordeaux vineyards, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild, playing host to wine-tasting events throughout the year.

Set in 5,000 acres of glorious rolling parkland, Waddesdon has exceptional Victorian formal gardens, including an ornate Rococo-style working aviary and classical sculptures. National Trust members and local residents enjoy the parkland, restaurants and shops, offering visitors the opportunity to sample produce supplied by the working estate.

Waddesdon exemplifies the cultural richness that can be found in such rural settings. A visit to the Manor will offer a flavour of France in the sweeping English countryside.