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Waddesdon Manor Review

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Waddesdon Manor

Address: Waddesdon
Directions: on A41 near Aylesbury
Phone: 01296/653226
www.waddesdon.org.uk

Category: Castles/Palaces
Location: Waddesdon

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Fodor's Review:

Many of the regal residences created by the Rothschild family throughout Europe are gone now, but Waddesdon Manor remains, a vision of the 19th century at its most sumptuous. G. H. Destailleur built the house in the 1880s for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the style of a French chateau, with perfectly balanced turrets and towers and walls of creamy stone. Inside it was lovingly furnished over the course of 35 years with Savonnerie carpets, Sèvres porcelain, furniture made by Riesener for Marie Antoinette, and paintings by Rubens, Watteau, Gainsborough, and Reynolds. The gardens are equally extraordinary, with an aviary, colorful plantings, and winding trails with allow panoramic views. In the restaurant you can dine on English or French fare and order excellent Rothschild wines if your pocketbook can take the hit.

Cost: House and grounds £11, grounds £4
Open: House Apr.-Oct., Wed.-Sun. and national holidays Mon. 11-4; gardens Jan.-Mar., weekends 10-5; Apr.-late Dec., Wed.-Sun. and national holidays Mon. 10-5

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