Waddesdon Manor

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild wanted an estate where he could escape London in the summer months to entertain family and friends for weekend house parties. In 1874 he came into an inheritance and purchased a bare agricultural estate in Buckinghamshire. The foundation stone for the house was laid in 1877 and six years later, in 1883, the house was completed surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Running water for the house was provided from the start and electricity was provided in 1889.

In 1957 James de Rothschild bequeathed Waddesdon to the National Trust and in 1959 it was opened to the public. It is managed by the Rothschild Foundation on behalf of the National Trust.

Waddesdon Manor is some 8 miles from home and it normally takes me roughly 20 minutes to get there. However, there are extensive HS2 works (high speed rail link initially from London to Birmingham) taking place on the approach to Waddesdon so I am always expecting to be held up by traffic lights :-)

The first stage between London and Birmingham is due to be competed by December 2026 so there may, at some point in the distant future, be an opportunity to photograph some trains :-)