September 11th 2024
Led by the indefatigable Stella Tidmarsh for the very last time, a full coach set out for Waddesdon on a fine September morning. On arrival our coach was able to park within reasonable distance of the imposing pile, thus avoiding the long walk from the car park or the need to take the shuttle bus.
Built from 1874 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, and still managed through the Rothschild Foundation, this National Trust property is modelled on a French eighteenth century chateau. It sits in one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its parterre and ornate working aviary. The house itself displays Baron Ferdinand’s collection of French decorative arts alongside English portraits and Dutch Old Master paintings, and our unguided tour, starting at 12, took us all an hour and more to cover all the rooms, together with the sumptuous Wine Cellar and upstairs Treasury.
Everyone will have their own favourite memories of the visit; for me the 1781 Gainsborough portrait of a shapely Prinny, before he became the grossly bloated George IV of the 1820s, and the huge Callet of the ill-fated Louis XVI stood out, together with Andy Singleton’s fascinating paper birds scattered through the rooms and an unforgettable photograph of Baron Ferdinand, cigar firmly clenched, squatting down to feed an ibis. There was also detailed evidence of the Rothschild funding of the state of Israel, including the Knesset, and a plan of the Supreme Court, which has caused Mr Netanyahu so much trouble in recent times.
On emerging a welcome snack lunch was readily available, after which one could visit the Power House and watch a series of films about the property, and also the Stables and the Aviary. For those interested in Gardens there was also the opportunity for considerable exercise around the spacious estate. Altogether very good value from an excellent day out, and our thanks go to Stella once again for making it all possible, not to mention our excellent Barnes driver.
Charles Linfield
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