For a memorable day out with the family this autumn and winter, head to Waddesdon Manor in the Buckinghamshire countryside; a French Renaissance-style chateau built between 1874 and 1889 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild at a cost of around £1.2 million in today’s money in order to entertain the fashionable world on weekends and house his impressive art collection.
You’ll find works by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Romney throughout the house, which is itself a work of art. You’ll be dazzled by the masterpieces of baroque and rococo French design, Louis XV / XVI furniture and Sèvres porcelain, with notable objects including a desk made for Queen Marie-Antoinette and a carpet from Versailles. It’s fair to say that Waddesdon Manor is unlike any other country house in England; managed by the Rothschild Foundation on behalf of the National Trust who took over ownership in 1957, it was first opened to the public two years later, with the house, grounds and gardens now attracting almost half a million visitors a year.
This October and November at Waddesdon Manor:
Children gain free entry to the house and grounds from 25 October – 2 November for the Haunted Half Term; while all visitors can enjoy spooky activities and family fun thanks to an intriguing word puzzle outdoor trail (£3.50 per person) that will test the Halloween knowledge of young and old alike, complete with a well-earned prize at the end. Ghostly figures can meanwhile be spotted lurking around the historic rooms of the house this October, with the Skull Shack revealing skeletons hard at work and mysterious boxes waiting to be discovered.
When you’re in need of refreshment a Spooky Afternoon Tea will be served in the Manor Restaurant for the duration of the Haunted Half Term (25 October–2 November, Wednesday–Sunday, 12–3.30pm. Adult £39.95, Child £18.50. Pre-booking is strongly advised) with a playful menu capturing the flavours of autumn, with a Halloween-inspired twist on tradition designed to offer a memorable experience for guests of all ages.
For over 18s only, the Murder at the Manor Dining Experience (Saturday 25 October & Saturday 1 November from 6.30pm, £150pp) is a black-tie murder mystery dining experience combining a luxurious four-course wine-paired dinner with the unravelling of a new gripping mystery by Moonstone Murder Mysteries. Expect an evening packed with plot-twists, suspicious suspects and plenty of red herrings along the way.
Join Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and his beloved dog, Poupon, this November with Christmas at Waddesdon: A Grand Festive Tour (22 November – 4 January 2026, closed 25 & 26 Dec), highlighting the festive customs of different cities with links to Waddesdon’s famous collection, while the popular Christmas Fair and Food Village will take place outside, and the Manor and Gardens will be illuminated with a new immersive light show.
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH. For more information and tickets please visit the website.
Photography (top to bottom) by Pascale Cumberbatch, Tom Hatton, Hugh Mothersole.
