Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor at Christmas was absolutely amazing. It really was a feast for my eyes. It was decorated with a sleeping beauty theme, and was absolutely stunning. The Christmas market in the gardens were brilliant, quality products/ foods etc…. The light show in the gardens were excellent. Parking was easy but I was very grateful for the shuttle bus service. It was very busy, but I didn’t feel rushed and saw everything I wanted too. I wish I had read the guidebook before going in though as I missed looking for some artefacts….. but not greatly disappointed as the whole place was just a fantastic feast for your eyes. There were a fair few steps at times, but assistance is available. The toilets were clean but very busy and a long walk….. don’t wait until you are desperate! We turned up at 2 pm, saw the markets in daylight, entered the house at twilight and came out in time for good evening darkness to really enjoy the lights in the gardens. Perfect.

A very enjoyable visit, I dare say my favourite National Trust property, worth a visit especially if you have a membership. You can easily spend the whole day here, wandering around the rooms of the house with such history, or a stroll to the aviary for a picnic. Beautiful rooms, great architecture and grounds.

We recently visited Waddesdon Manor during their free entry period to explore the grounds. Despite the icy and snowy conditions, the sun was shining, creating a truly magical winter wonderland atmosphere. The grounds were breathtaking, with snow-covered lawns, frosty trees, and picturesque views. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at The Stables cafe. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, making it a perfect spot to warm up after our outdoor explorations. Even in the winter, Waddesdon Manor is a must-visit. The combination of stunning architecture, beautiful grounds, and the unique winter charm made it an unforgettable experience. See photos/ videos :)

Great National Trust location. We had a lovely walk there with my Dads dog. You can get a bus up to the house or was about 20mins. It’s well kept and very easy. Lots of beautiful walks we only explored about half the site (maybe less) staff are friendly and informative. You can get your pooch passport stamped here. It’s very family and dog friendly. The house is closed for renovations so I’d always recommend checking the NT website or app for details.

The “Christmas at Waddesdon” event was really good and highly recommended if you want to feel the festive spirit. Especially if you are National Trust member (it’s a bit overpriced for non-members). I personally liked the Christmas decoration inside the house the most. Probably the most beautiful Christmas trees I’ve ever seen. The Christmas market was nothing to write home about. The food and drink options were very limited and tables were in a muddy area, hence we didn’t enjoy it. We went to the Stables, hoping that we could find proper food and have a sit, but there was only fish and chips there … The light trail was good, but not so WOW like the internal festive decoration. Perhaps we’ve been spoiled with so many and so good Christmas light trails, but we’ve seen better ones. The light show over the house was fabulous! Overall it was an enjoyable visit and I would recommend it.

We have visited Waddesdon Manor on several occasions and it has always been a delight. The Christmas lights are particularly special and well worth a visit - the house is all illuminated as well as a ‘light trail’. Away from Christmas there are lovely walks as well as the great playgrounds for the children. Go to this place!

Great Manor to visit. We did the afternoon tea as well. It’s a very impressive property with a lot of cool things to see and do. The shop was also well stocked with many items.

A very enjoyable visit, this is probably the most beautiful and best-kept National Trust property I have seen. The gardens were lovely and full of colour despite it being mid-September. Entry to the house is timed so the rooms did not feel crowded. The treasury is amazing!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

This is a gem of a day out set in stunning Buckinghamshire,take all the famiy you will love it.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.