ms-havachat visits Waddensdon Manor

Thanks Google Images and someone from trip advisor
for posting this amazing aerial shot.

Waddensdon Manor is half way between where I live and a friend, so it seemed the logical place to meet for a coffee'n'chat.

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild wanted an escape from London, where he and his family could relax and unwind, entertain friends. Land was purchased in 1874 with money he inherited, and the foundation stones were laid in 1877.

The Manor was designed in the style of a French Chateua and competed in 1883. Six years later, electric and running water were added. (don't know about you but I often wonder at how electric and water, and indeed bathrooms were added to existing buildings without extensive re-work)

After the war, the Manor was bequeathed to the National Trust, and was opened to the public in 1959.

It is managed by The Rothschild Foundation on behalf of the National Trust.



You visit beings as you drive through these impressive gates,

continue past fields and follow the signs to the car park,

and as we did, think 'where's the manor house?"

Don't fret - it's there .... beyond the National Trust Welcome House (aka ticket office). There's a small courtesy bus that takes you up to the House past the Stables. You can walk. We were told it's 20 minutes to half an hour (there's a small/medium hill) and as we were short on time (school pick up beckoned) we opted for the bus.

The first time you see the house it takes your breath away. Just look at it! And the blue sky! Both were spectacular.

So pleased with how my photo turned out!

The house is open from noon, and as usual we were early which worked in our favour as we had time to stroll the gardens and have a coffee. We didn't do ALL the grounds - that would take hours, but the areas we did see we enjoyed very much.

It's a self guided tour and simply read the sheets of information available. There are National Trust volunteers in some rooms who are only too happy to answer questions and chat.

Around the corner and BAM! the largest, most elegant aviary I've ever seen. The birdlife was intriguing and the sounds delightful. The garden in the front of the building was being prepared for winter flowers. 

Sorry about the shadows, but you get the feel for how large and stunning it is.

The gardens and grounds at the back of the house are vast - this photo from Google images is one expample of the spring flowers (we went last week, so most of the garden is being prepared for winter or next spring)

This photo and the one below really captured our
imagination. Princesses and princes,
castles and romance.

The grand drive way leading up to the front door made us think of all the grand parties and balls that would have been held here, of the famous (and not so famous) guests and the staff who would have been there to greet them (ok, maybe too much Downton Abbey viewing)

Once inside WOW where does one look? 

The Rothschild Family own one of the world's largest and most impressive art collections. The furnishings, desks, ornaments and statues were incredible. 

The decor is a dream study for anyone with an interest in historical interior design. 

It would be a nightmare for any domestic goddess to look after and maintain.

Fascinated that most rooms had a desk, if not two.
There were drawing rooms and sitting rooms everywhere.

It might be easier for you to have a look at Google Images for high quality images of the interior. Mainly because my phone's camera didn't do justice, and I was too busy reading and looking to take more photos.  

The dining rooms were sumptuous! The place settings and serving crockery and silver ware was beautiful. Again, we closed our eyes and just imaged the dinner parties that were enjoyed here. 

Top: Dining table.
Left: Wine service table
Right: Food service table.

The other fascinating aspect of the house were the number (and location) of guest bedrooms and bathrooms. 

We had a lovely day, but sadly weren't able to spend too long exploring as we both had long drives home and had to be back for school pick up.

There's a cafe and restaurant on site (probably best to book), not sure about picnics (but it's worth asking as the grounds near the car park are lovely). The village of Aylesbury is very pretty and there's places to eat close by. 

I can't wait to go back and continue exploring, taking more time to enjoy all that's on offer. 

If you've been, I'd love to hear what you thought about it.

With friendship

x

For more information:

Address: Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH

Waddensdon Estate https://waddesdon.org.uk

ms-havachat finally gets to Wisley Gardens

We finally made it to Wisley Gardens! It was a glorious sunny Sunday. We had no plans. Teen was up to date with school work. There was no rugby on TV. Housework was up to date. Hubby wasn't on a deadline. There was absolutely no excuse NOT to go out. 

After cajoling my two to be outside and vertical, we headed outside!  

Wisley was founded by Victorian businessman and RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) member, George Ferguson Wilson, who purchased a mere 60-acre site in 1878. Today, Wisley covers over 240 acres, and is one of the largest most diverse public gardens in the UK (if not, the world!)

The gardens offer something for everyone - formal decorative, informal decorative, numerous glasshouses doing different things, there are teaching facilities as well has laboratories for scientific research and training. It's truly magnificent. 

The laboratory was opened in 1907 and received
Grade II Listig status in 1985.

We opted to join the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as members as it worked out more economical than buying 2 x adults + 1 x children's entry tickets. Even if I just come back once with a friend, we've paid for our membership - anymore than that, and we're ahead! It's always a great idea to check Membership options in the UK as they are very affordable. We joined English Heritage and National Trust for the same reasons - it's more economical, it encourages you to get out'n'about and you're supporting these great institutions. WIN. WIN. WIN. 

The day we visited, the Surrey Sculpture Festival was on. It added a lovely expedition feel to the visit as we followed the events map around the gardens, looking for the various works on display. We walked and talked and stopped to comment on the artwork - we agreed on liking a few and disliking a few and other than that, we've very different taste. 

Just a few examples of the varied work on display

My favourite of the day, tucked away in a
walled garden in the sunshine, 

The gardens themselves are very beautiful and diverse. We know nothing about gardening but still enjoyed waking around the various displays and checking out unusual plants. Wisley is a photographer and artists dream setting! There were several people taking full advantage the day we were there.

Several beautiful arched walkways lead you from
one part of the gardens to another.

There are so many places to sit and enjoy the gardens,
from picnic under the trees, to well places seats.

There's so many beautiful, calm waterways in the Gardens,
offering various places to sit and relax.

If you forget your picnic basket don't worry, there's
lots of places to buy food and drinks.

Definitely recommend wearing comfy walking shoes.

We thoroughly enjoyed our outing to Wisley and look forward to returning many times over the coming year. Next time, we might even take a picnic blanket.

Address: Wisley Lane, Wisely, Woking GU23 6QB
Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

With friendship
x

ms-havachat's out'n'about in Dublin: Airfield, Dundrum.

Beautiful Airfield House (professional photo)

The long summer school holidays are a great time to get out'n'about in Dublin and surrounding areas with the kids. There's so much stuff to see and do together, much of it free or at best, not that expensive.

Airfield Estate in Dundrum is a piece of rural heaven in the middle of urban development. With Ireland's largest shopping centre, Dundrum Town Centre within a 10 minute walk, it's incredible to think that so much peace and serenity could co-exist. It  reminded us of entering an ancient Temple in the middle of Tokyo, such contrast.

Airfield is 38 hectares of working farm, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, education centre, entertainment quarter and restaurant.

We came here LOTS when MissM was a toddler. It was a lovely place to picnic with the kids. There has been a huge amount of investment and development over the past few years, and it's even better than we remembered.

Let's go back to the beginning for a sec, so you can understand just how special this place is, and it's meaning to the people of Dublin.

• Airfield's Mission is to inspire people to refresh their connection with food and the land it comes from (How simple is that!)
• Trevor Overend, the original owner, was a Dublin based solicitor. He bought Airfield as a summer house in 1894, and several years later decided to make it the families permanent home (Clever man)
• His daughters, Letitia and Naomi grew up here, never married, and died here. They lived a fabulous life in the true sense of the word, travelling the world, driving motor cars (unheard of for young ladies to do 'back then'), investing their time, energy and money into various philanthropic causes.
• Airfield's farm played a huge role in improving the quality of life for Dubliners in terms of healthy fruit and vegetables, milk and other produce.
• It was established as a charitable organisation in 1974, for educational and recreational purposes (YEAH)

The Facebook page overflows with information about the daily happenings around the property, announces various courses, workshops, talks and tours available all year round and much more.  Click here to go directly there to LIKE it so you are kept up to date with what's going on. 

We went a few weeks ago with a friend of MissM's simply to kill a few hours in the sunshine, as neither tween wanted to do much and I was totally over them mopping around the house (anyone else suffering at the groans and moans of tweens or teens?)  I'm so happy with the pics from my phone. MissM commented 'are you taking photos for ms-havachat again?' Too funny. 

MissM up close with these beautiful cows; the pigs were hard to see at first,
enjoying their mud bath, the goats were happy to see us and these have to
be the funkiest hen coups ever.

Just a few of the beautiful summer flowers in bloom in the walled garden.

More amazing vegetables!

There's a working dairy at Airfield. Make sure you're there in time for the 10.30am milking, We chated with the farmer, and walked with him as he herded the cows back to the field. In fact, we chatted with several staff members who were only too happy to answer the girls questions.

The flowers are gorgeous! In fact, you could come here any time of year and enjoy the gardens.

The veggie gardens are laid out so pretty, and such variety.

It's the perfect place to bring a picnic and set up on a blanket under an ancient tree while the kids run around.

You can get here by car (free parking), or LUAS or bus to Dundrum and walk up.

Entrance fee is minimal (I won't post as the prices may well change, but you can hop over to the website for all current information with this link.

I would strongly encourage everyone to support Airfield in any way they can - it's here for generations to come, and that's so important in a world that's changing too quickly.




With friendship
x