Waddesdon Manor was built between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to house his vast collection of art treasures and entertain his guests.
He had a great knowledge of French 18th century art and employed a French architect to design the house in the style of a French Renaissance chateau. The Baron was very active in local affairs as a Justice of the Peace and Member of Parliament for the local constituency. He received many notable visitors to his new home, including Queen Victoria, Lord Rosebery and de Maupassant.
The Baron's sister Miss Alice de Rothschild lived at Waddesdon Manor after him and added to the collections, particularly much of the Sevres china. She left the property to her great-nephew, Mr James de Rotheschild. He had brought over from France the collection of furniture, china and pictures which he had inherited from his father Baron Edmond de Rotheschild of Paris.
When James de Rotheschild died in 1957 he left Waddesdon Manor and its contents to the National Trust.
The collections on display at Waddesdon Manor include paintings of the French 18th century school, Dutch and Flemish 17th century paintings and portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough. There are also Sevres and Dresden china, Savonnerie carpets, Beauvais tapestries and some of superb 18th century furniture made for the French royal palaces.
Other displays include collections of gold boxes, buttons and drawings. The Bachelors' Wing has recently been refurbished and is now open to the public. The cellars contains thousands of bottles of vintage Rothchild wine.
Waddesdon Manor has one of finest Victorian gardens in Britain.
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild had the grounds laid out when the house was built, planting bare hillsides with mature trees. There is also a parterre and a Rococo-style aviary with a magnificent collection of exotic birds.
2008 Garden: 10-17:00 5 Jan-16 Mar:Sat-Sun; 19 Mar-26 Oct :Wed-Sun & Bank Holidays;29 Oct-21 Dec & 22-23 Dec: Wed-Sun and Bank Holidays. House:19 Mar-26 Oct: 12-16:00 Wed-Fri ( Bachelors Wing: 12-16:00), 11-16:00 Sat-Sun open Bank Holidays.
Tel: 01296 653226 Waddesdon Manor Website
