Waddesdon Manor Imaginarium

Talk about 'In the bleak Midwinter'! The scene at Waddesdon Manor encapsulated the words of the Christmas carol perfectly. When it wasn't drizzling there was a dampening mist along with a bitter cold air. Waddesdon Manor is a country house in the village of Waddesdon, in Buckinghamshire. It is located in the Aylesbury Vale, 6.6 miles west of Aylesbury itself. The Grade I listed house was built in the style of a French château between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839–1898) as a weekend residence for grand entertaining and as a setting for his collection.

 

 To get out of the miserable weather our first port of call were the wine cellars. They are modeled on the private cellars at Château Lafite Rothschild. More than 15,000 bottles are stored in the Cellars, some 150 years old, the majority from the Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild estates. It is the largest private collection of Rothschild wines in the world.



Venturing back outside we made our way to the aviary completed in 1889. The aviary is stocked with endangered birds and exotic species and is a registered zoo. Throughout the grounds there are light-based artworks created by Lauren Booth depicting various illuminated neon birds, goats and dragons.

 A warm up was needed in the form of a hot chocolate drink. Thankfully the courtyard cafe provided cosy sheepskins to keep out the cold. There was plenty going on outside the house but it wasn't really a day for walking the gardens. As the light gradually began to fade the house became more and more illuminated.




The highlight of the afternoon was as soon as darkness had fallen at 4:15 pm. This is when the Waddesdon Imaginarium came to life. The front of the Manor was lit up with roaming animals, flowers, Christmas images and dancing clocks that were projected on to its frontage. It is a 10 minute performance of light and sound created by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was absolutely spectacular and well worth braving the elements for.

 

 A really enjoyable afternoon that couldn't fail to put you in the mood for Christmas with it's lights, displays and festive fayre. We shall definitely return , preferably during the Summer time though !