Waddesdon Manor

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild commissioned the construction of Waddesdon Manor between 1874 and 1885 to showcase his art collection and entertain the elite of the fashion world. The Rothschild Foundation is a non-profit family organization that manages Waddesdon Manor on behalf of the National Organization, which acquired ownership of Waddesdon Manor in 1957 and opened the estate to the public in 1959. Waddesdon Manor has been owned by the National Trust since 1957. The Rothschild collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts are in their permanent home here.

For families

During your stay here you and your family will have many opportunities to have fun. The forest playground is carved into the slope of a hill and offers castle building and bug hunting as well as a variety of activities that take place on weekends and during school vacations.

Haunted Half-Term

At Waddesdon, terrifying activities are scheduled for the October half-term break this year. On October 21 and 22, get into the spirit of Halloween with a skeleton walk across the grounds, eerie afternoon teas, and a visit from Zoolab where you may encounter spiders and lizards. The Haunted Half-Term will take place from the 21st to the 29th of October, Wednesday through Sunday.

Woodland Playground

Their playground was designed to take use of the surrounding forest by winding its way through the trees. Seesaws, swings, and soft bark provide a secure environment for young children to play at the base of the hill. Those who want a more subdued kind of play can use the bird’s nest swing, which is located at the very top. Access is a component of your paid admission to the grounds.

After being closed for maintenance throughout the months of January and February, the Woodland Playground is once again available for use. The playground has recently been updated with brand new equipment, including swings, a roundabout, and a board rider.

Outdoor adventures: 50 things

Participate in the National Trust’s outdoor challenge and attempt 50 unique challenges spread out across a number of their estates. At their Welcome Pavilion, you can get a free pamphlet listing 50 things to do, and then you may start checking them off as you go. You can create a den (activity No. 4), hunt for bugs (activity No. 31), run around in the rain (activity No. 6), make a path with sticks (activity No. 12), catch a falling leaf (activity No. 33), and track wild creatures (activity No. 34), among other things, in Waddesdon.

Sensory map

In order to get a full feel of all Waddesdon has to offer, make sure to follow this path while you explore the grounds. Touch, sight, sound, and scent are all stimulated at various points along the route, each of which contributes to an enhanced experience of the surrounding environment. Feel free to run your fingers over the prickly bark of the tree ferns and take a moment to stop and listen to the birds singing in the aviary.