Skip to main content

Institute of Tourists Guiding

MR 04676

A day out at Waddesdon Manor

Restrictions have eased at many National Trust properties in the last few weeks, and it has been good to get out and about again.  Pre-booking has not been a problem, and we have chosen places where there are extensive gardens and grounds to explore, because houses themselves have been closed.

This week we went to Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild chateau near Aylesbury.  We selected this place because they have just reopened a route through the house itself, for a limited season.  It was exciting to be able to see inside somewhere after so many weeks.  It was not busy, and the social distancing protocols were immaculate.

We spent some time talking to the staff, who were delighted to be back albeit a bit apprehensive.  We were able to see many of the rooms in their “wintering” state; furniture all pushed to one side of a room and covered with cloths for example.  Perhaps not exciting, although I find on my own tours that many people are more interested in what goes on behind the scenes than in front.  It was good to be able to see how they have done it.

Naturally I wasn’t able to take pictures indoors, so here are some other external views.

   

It was a better than forecast day to walk around the extensive grounds.  But looking at the trees, autumn is definitely starting to turn the leaf colours.  The Chiltern Hills will be looking great in the next few weeks.