Waddesdon Manor
Buckinghamshire, England
Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: National Trust, Waddesdon Manor / Chris Lacey, CC BY-SA 4.0 · National Trust, Waddesdon Manor / Chris Lacey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Membership
- Covered by National Trust annual membership - what it costs per visit
- Membership
- Historic Houses members go in free - what it costs per visit
- Nearest station
- Aylesbury Vale Parkway, 3.4 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- French Renaissance-style chateau built for the Rothschild family
Pinpoint
Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH
Telephone 01296 820414
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Waddesdon Manor is a French Renaissance-style chateau built in the late 1800s for the Rothschild family, now cared for by the National Trust (free entry for members). Reviewers describe an estate on a grand scale, with gardens, farmland walks and an aviary alongside the house, and recommend booking the house tour in advance.
At a glance
Who to know
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild · built the house between 1874 and 1889 as a weekend residence for entertaining and for his collection
Worth the trip
The aviary and surrounding gardens, which reviewers say reward a longer walk around the estate's perimeter.
Before you go
Book the house tour ahead of time - reviewers found it fills up and is worth prioritising over simply wandering the grounds.
What visitors say
Waddesdon Manor reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 9,309 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the house's paintings and historical collections, including its Sevres porcelain, alongside gardens described as stunning across the seasons, from spring flowers to the rose garden. The estate is often called a several-hour visit, with the shuttle bus from the car park mentioned repeatedly as helpful given the distance and the roughly 70 steps up to the bedrooms.
A couple of visitors note temporary drawbacks such as a play area under renovation or a seasonal art installation on the lawns that they felt looked tacky. National Trust members can visit free as it is a Rothschild property, which several reviewers flag as good value.
“One of our favourite National Trust venues. Went for the Art in Nature exhibition during half term. Last year we also spent a few hours looking around the magnificent house. You can easily spend between 4 and 6hrs there.”- Chris Dadd, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is a 20-30 minute walk to and from the car park but a shuttle bus is available for £2.50 per person, for both ways.” - ifat khawaja
- How long to allow
- “Last year we also spent a few hours looking around the magnificent house.” - Chris Dadd
- Terrain & accessibility
- “There are about 70 steps to see the bedrooms and the Rothschild treasures.” - ifat khawaja
Common questions about Waddesdon Manor
Where is Waddesdon Manor?
Waddesdon Manor is in Buckinghamshire, England, at Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH.
Do you need a ticket to visit Waddesdon Manor?
Yes - Waddesdon Manor is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Waddesdon Manor?
Yes - Waddesdon Manor offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the stately home itself or within its grounds. See the Stately Homes You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Waddesdon Manor?
The aviary and surrounding gardens, which reviewers say reward a longer walk around the estate's perimeter.
Is Waddesdon Manor a ruin or still intact?
Waddesdon Manor is largely intact - French Renaissance-style chateau built for the Rothschild family.
