It was almost two years to the day since the last O.C. trip ( the Morgan Car factory, in 2019 ), hence, with the relaxation of pandemic regulations now permitting the feasibility of motor coach travel, the O.C. tourists were back on the road again for the eagerly awaited visit to Waddesdon Manor.

Continuing the past, well proven, travel arrangements, the main group of O.C.s and ladies boarded Turners comfortable coach at the School, with a further eleven joining at the Compass Hotel, Tormarton, whose useful parking facilities save people living to the North, and East of Bristol having to battle commuter traffic.

        Many of the group had not met up since the last trip,  the 2019 Dinner, or possibly an O.C.Golf meeting, so there was considerable catching up to do. It was gratifying and reassuring to seeing everyone looking fit, well, and little changed.

After a relaxing journey, enhanced by Tracy’s thoughtful provision of nutrition bars, and bottled water, along the M4, then A34 around Oxford, the coach arrived at Waddesdon around mid-day, slightly later than anticipated due to, nowadays, seemingly mandatory roadworks.

        This timing prompted an obvious choice to take lunch, prior to our booked tours at 1.30, and a short walk through wooded paths took us to the “Stables Café” where a good selection of snacks and beverages was available. Fair weather permitted “al fresco” dining in the spacious Stable courtyard.

A return, uphill, stroll led to the first view of the Manor, at the end of an imposing 300 yd. drive. The observer could easily have imagined being in the Loire Valley, the substantial property having been created in the 15th/16th century Renaissance style of a grand French chateau. However the building was commissioned by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild as recently as 1877, completed within six years, and designed by French architect Hippolyte Destailleur who clearly drew inspiration from his homeland.

       The “Raison d’etre” was to provide a weekend retreat for the Baron, away from his London home, and a venue for entertaining friends and guests. Equally it grew as a location for his burgeoning collection of fine art, antiques and furniture. 

       The final magnificent edifice is surrounded by a 6000 acre estate with panoramic views over the Chiltern Hills.

The tour of the house takes the visitor through around 45 large rooms, (some, including the Batchelors Wing, were still closed) full of artwork by many of the English, and Dutch masters, bespoke furniture, china, jewellery, and other collectables. This largesse is probably far in excess of the normal stately property, since in addition to functional furniture, and decorative paraphernalia, Waddesdon continues to hold and display much of the Baron’s, and later families’ collections.

      We were fortunate to have with us prize winning photographer, Doug Lodge, and Doug’s excellent selection of images will permit the reader to see first-hand, not only the grandeur of the house, but also the incredible array of art , furnishings, treasures, and other exhibits.

       We also had on board, our own master wood craftsman, Fred Forse, who could be found casting an expert eye, and giving the nod of approval to many of the priceless cabinets, tables, and other furniture.

The house tour concludes with a visit to the wine cellars, a series of rooms full of cases, and bottles of the Rothschild’s famous clarets notably Chateaux Lafite and Mouton, and information boards detailing the extent of the main vineyards in the Medoc.   On display were a number of select bottles commemorating, and signed by distinguished visitors to the estate, -- Princess Diana, and Henry Kissinger being two that spring to recollection.

       Other branches of the family have expanded the wine empire further afield, with enterprises in Spain, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa.

Waddesdon Manor is inextricably linked with the Rothschilds, and contains numerous graphics and display boards detailing the evolution of the family, and its vast financial, business, and property empire.  What becomes intriguing is the comparatively short period of time in which this took place, and the families’ quite meteoric rise from modest beginnings.

          Mayer Anschel Rothschild lived in the Jewish quarter of Frankfurt running a small monetary business in the late 1700s.  He despatched his five sons to Austria, England, Naples, and Paris, (the fifth stayed in Germany) to establish and expand the business, which became a conglomerate of banking, wealth management, industry, mining and real estate. Money was also made arranging funding for the British Government to finance the Peninsular, and Napoleonic wars.    The family were inevitably rubbing shoulders, with aristocracy, top politicians, and royalty, and some acquired aristocratic titles themselves.

            In political terms the Rothschilds became increasingly influential, and were significantly involved in the drafting of the Balfour Declaration in 1917, creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which in 1948 became the State of Israel.

One fascinating wall painting at Waddesdon depicted 41 of the Rothschilds palatial properties in all parts of Europe, and the family were collectively probably the world’s wealthiest throughout the late 1800 / mid 1900s. 

 They may have been overtaken in recent times by such as the Saudi royal family, and on an individual basis by Messrs. Bezsos, Gates, and other giants of the “Tech. Revolution “.

Completion of the tour allowed time for a coffee in the Manor Shop courtyard, and a quick look at the Aviary, where small scale, but important conservation work with endangered species is undertaken.   The Power House, full of dials and switches, demonstrated the properties’ early adoption of the electricity age, but is now mainly used to show documentaries, and visitor guides.   Finally a walk at the rear of the house took in the immaculate and decorative parterre Victorian gardens.

After a group photograph with the Manor as a backdrop, the party re-joined the coach for a pleasant journey back to Bristol, the driver assiduously avoiding the earlier roadworks by switching to the A420 via Faringdon.

It is not surprising that Waddesdon Manor is one of the most visited of all National Trust properties, and once again many thanks are due to Tracy, and Bob for their selection, and organisation of another highly enjoyable day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Dave Tooze.

Tourists on the trip –

Dave and Judy Arnold            Richard and Mary Craddy           Fred and Sue Forse  

Mike Griffiths        Gail Gunn      John Harris        Nick and Jane Humphries

Gerry Hurley          Bob Jennings        Doug and Sue Lodge       Jeff Savage

Tracy, Lizzie, and Jenson        Rachel Shaw        Dave Tooze

Mike and Maureen Wood              John and Marilyn Wright