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Waddesdon
French Renaissance-style château with an extensive art collection, landscaped gardens, aviary and woodland playground.
Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
Book a visit
Opening times for 2 August 2025
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 16:00 Aviary 10:00 - 17:00 Gardens 10:00 - 17:00 Manor restaurant 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Woodland playground 10:00 - 17:00 House exhibition 11:00 - 16:00 Coach House gallery Closed Food to Go outlets 10:00 - 17:00 Book a visitPlease note that there is an extra event charge for Summer Fest (21 & 22 June) and Chilli Fest (29, 30 & 31 August). Waddesdon Manor is completely closed on Saturday 27 September.
MTWTFSS2829303112345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedGrounds standard prices
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £14.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.00 Group (Adult 18+) £11.90 Group (Child 5-17) £5.95 House & Grounds standard prices
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £27.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £13.50 Group (Adult 18+) £22.95 Group (Child 5-17) £11.45 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Café
- Car park
- Coffee shop
- Dogs allowed
- Electric vehicle charging point
- Kiosk
- Restaurant
- Shop
- Toilet
Blue Badge and limited mobility parking in visitor car park. Free shuttle bus tickets for Blue Badge holders and essential companions. Wheelchairs available upon request (first come, first served basis). Changing places facility on the ground floor of the Manor (currently closed). Grounds: partly accessible, some loose gravel paths and steep slopes. Assistance dogs are welcome in house, garden and shuttle buses.
- Accessible toilet
- Changing Places
- Designated parking
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Lift
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Wheelchairs available
- By road
If you are approaching on the M40 (westbound) take exit 7 via Thame and follow the A418 into Aylesbury, then A41 from Aylesbury to Waddesdon Village. Check your route before setting off as there are HS2 roadworks near us and a new road system with temporary road signs. If you are approaching from the M40 (eastbound) take exit 9 via Bicester, then from Bicester follow the A41 to Waddesdon Village. The Manor is signposted from the village.
Parking: Parking is free of charge, you will be directed to the Visitor car park on arrival by our signs. There’s a regular shuttle bus service from the car park to near the North Fountain and then to the Stables and finally back to the car park. Bus tickets may be purchased in advance with grounds admission or on the bus (card payments only). Adult £2.50, Child £1.50, Under 2s Free.
Sat Nav: Enter Silk Street and HP18 0JH
- By train
There are a number of railway stations nearby; Aylesbury Vale Parkway 4 miles; Aylesbury Town centre 6.5 miles; Bicester North roughly 13 miles away. Taxis are available at all stations. Walking is not advisable from these stations, as there are no footpaths and you would need to follow busy roads. Direct connection from London Marylebone to either Aylesbury Vale Parkway or Town centre.
- By bus
Local Red Rose bus number 16 (Aylesbury-Marsh Gibbon via Waddesdon) or 17 (Aylesbury-Bicester via Waddesdon). Please note: this is an infrequent service and there are no buses on a Sunday. On arrival in Waddesdon village, walk through the main gates on Silk Street and you'll be directed towards the Welcome Pavilion. For timetable information see the Red Rose bus timetable
- Cycling
From the A41, enter Waddesdon Village, the main entrance is signposted from the road. In advance of the Waddesdon Greenway, a new safe cycle and walking route joining Aylesbury Vale Parkway to Waddesdon Manor being open, we are allowing cyclists to use their bikes on the main route through the grounds. On arrival you will be directed to our Welcome Pavilion, where you'll need to purchase a grounds entry ticket, or show your National Trust membership card. If you wish you may leave your bike in our sheltered rack next to the electric charging points and continue into the grounds via our shuttle bus (£2.50 adult/£1.50 child). Alternatively, you may cycle up to the Manor along the main entrance road. Please dismount when you reach the closed main gate, and walk your bike through using the side pedestrian gate. Once through this gate you may continue cycling on the entrance road to the North Fountain. At this point a member of staff will show you where to safely leave your bike in a sheltered bike rack. You may wish to continue cycling to the Stables using the main entrance road where there is another sheltered bike rack in the parking area. When you are ready to leave, you can cycle down the exit drive, taking a right at the bottom onto Green Lane, and then back to the car park/Greenway, or exit via Silk Street and onto the A41.
Waddesdon, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
Planning your visit
Plan your visit
Everything you need to know for visiting Waddesdon, including pricing, parking and access.
Dogs at Waddesdon
Waddesdon is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome on a lead all year round in the grounds at Waddesdon. They are also allowed in the Stables Café & Takeaway. You can bring along your four-legged friends to explore the grounds and wider estate together.
School visits to Waddesdon
The interactive programme at Waddesdon brings learning to life and covers a wide range of topics using the site’s rich resources. Suitable for primary, secondary and youth groups.
Group visits at Waddesdon
Find out everything you need to know about visiting Waddesdon with a group, from discounted rates to catering.
Highlights
House
French Renaissance-style château, built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874 to house his collection of fine art.
Garden
Victorian-style gardens with Parterre, ornate fountains, statuary and seasonal bedding, with Rococo-style Aviary and woodland playground.
Eating
Eat at the Manor Restaurant and Stables Café or enjoy seasonal food-to-go, all made by our talented chefs. Opening times vary, please check website for details.
Shopping
Gift & Wine shop offering fine wines, gifts and unique pieces inspired by Waddesdon's art collection.
Things to see and do
Discover the house at Waddesdon
Built by the Rothschild family in the 19th century, Waddesdon was inspired by the chateaux of France. Within its dramatic architecture is an impressive collection of furniture, paintings and works of art.
Garden walks
From March-October, join one of our volunteer guides on a free 45-minute walk to explore the gardens, seasonal highlights, the history of Waddesdon and the Rothschild family.
Conservation Hub
Inside the Conservation Hub learn how we are implementing the Sustainability Strategy at Waddesdon and how we encourage everyone to reconnect with nature.
Woodland Playground
Swing through the trees in our Woodland Playground with a zip wire, board-rider, swings and more to delight children of all ages!
The Aviary
Discover the ornate Rococo style Aviary, an important conservation centre for endangered exotic birds.
Family days out at Waddesdon
From the woodland playground, den building and bug hunting to events at weekends and during school holidays, there’s lots for families to do at Waddesdon.
Eating and shopping
Eating and shopping at Waddesdon
Enjoy delicious food and refreshments made by our chefs on-site daily. There are a range of food outlets located at the Manor and Stables. Options available include the Manor Restaurant, Food-To-Go and Coffee Bar, Stables Café and Takeaway. Find Rothschild wines, great gifts and one-off pieces at the Gift & Wine Shop at the Manor and visit the Stables Gift Shop too.
Top trails
Trail
Baron's walk at Waddesdon
Follow in the footsteps of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild on this route through woodland, past beautiful artworks and offering impressive views of the wider Waddesdon estate.
Spotlight events
Summer of Play
Bring the whole family to enjoy the summer holidays with our range of fun activities for our Summer of Play, included with admission.
Pablo Bronstein: The Temple of Solomon and its Contents
Leading artist Pablo Bronstein presents a bold exhibition featuring a new body of work in response to Waddesdon Manor as a Jewish country house, with a grand assembly of paintings reimagining the legendary Temple of Solomon.
Upcoming events
Event
Summer of Play
Bring the whole family to enjoy the summer holidays with our range of fun activities for our Summer of Play, included with admission. Until 28 August, children get free admission to the house and grounds at Waddesdon!
Event
Significant Signatures: Autograph Letters from the Waddesdon Archive
Discover this fascinating new display in the Family Room.
Event
Pablo Bronstein: The Temple of Solomon and its Contents
Celebrated leading artist Pablo Bronstein presents a bold exhibition featuring a new body of work in response to Waddesdon Manor as a Jewish country house, with a grand assembly of paintings reimagining the legendary Temple of Solomon.
Event
A Rothschild Treasury: Tours
During this guided tour of A Rothschild Treasury, discover the stories of the precious objects on display and learn about the tradition of treasure rooms which inspired the Rothschild family.
Event
Cellar Tour & History of Rothschild Wines
Join us for a wine tasting & tour of the historic cellars of Waddesdon Manor.
Event
House Highlights Tour
Before the house opens to the public, watch the musical elephant automaton be wound, and be guided through the ground floor of the house, exploring Waddesdon’s collection of 18th-century French decorative arts, English portraits and Dutch Old Masters
About Waddesdon
Surrounded by views of Oxfordshire, the Chilterns Hills, the Vale of Aylesbury and just a train ride away from London, Waddesdon Manor, is an ideal place for relaxing with family and friends.
Explore this French Renaissance-style château built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874 to entertain the fashionable world and to house his collection of fine art. We're continuing the tradition today of entertainment and hospitality with events celebrating food and wine, and opportunities for you to explore our history, collections and gardens through changing exhibitions and special interest days.
Step back in time in the Victorian style gardens, gaze at flamboyant colours on the parterre amid the ornate fountains and statuary. Hear the rare and exotic birds calling from the roccoco style Aviary found in the heart of the gardens. Alternatively spend a fun filled day with the family, and have an adventure in the woodland playground which winds through the trees, making use of the natural environment to create a magical area to play. Why not explore the trail around the gardens; hunt for bugs and spot wildlife along our woodland walk?
There's fresh, homemade food including cakes and other treats from food-to-go outlets. Shop for wine, great gifts and unique pieces inspired by the collection in our Manor shop.
Waddesdon Manor is managed by the Rothschild Foundation (charitable trust) on behalf of the National Trust. All proceeds from Waddesdon's restaurants and shops is invested in the care of the gardens, house and collections.
History
The history of the house at Waddesdon
The foundation stone at Waddesdon was laid in 1877, three years after Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild bought the estate. From hosting royals to evacuees, discover the manor’s story.
The history of the garden at Waddesdon
The vision of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, the garden was created at the end of the 19th century. He wanted to create something beautiful for his guests to see at every turn.
Art and collections
The collection at Waddesdon
The Rothschilds were great collectors, and Waddesdon is known for its treasures. Discover paintings, sculptures, prints and over 300 precious objects in the Rothschild Treasury.
Our work
Sustainability at Waddesdon
At Waddesdon we are committed to working in a sustainable way by protecting the environment and reducing pollution and waste wherever possible.
Article
Explore the film locations of Rebecca
Discover which locations at Waddesdon played their part as Manderley, in the 2020 Netflix adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic mystery.
Support us
Volunteering opportunities at Waddesdon
If you enjoy meeting new people, are positive and have some time to give, why not consider volunteering? You can learn new skills, share your passions and make a real difference.