Waddesdon Manor Garden in Buckinghamshire, designed for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, is one of the finest in Britain, filled with features to enjoy in any season. Take a virtual tour with our slideshow, and discover some of the highlights that await visitors in autumn. RHS members (main cardholder) enjoy free entry in March, September and October.
In 1957, Waddesdon Manor and 67 hectares (165 acres) of surrounding land were bequeathed to the National Trust. Garden enthusiasts can easily spend a whole day exploring the gardens, particularly the parterre, three-dimensional bedding displays, the aviary, rose garden, and the many statues, sculptures and fountains. You can enjoy these features via numerous walks and trails, either guided or self-led.
Completed in 1889 by an unknown architect, the aviary is made of cast-iron in the style of a Rococo trelliswork pavilion, such as those built at Versailles and Chantilly in the early 18th-century. In Baron Ferdinand’s day it housed his collection of exotic birds and a visit to the aviary was a highlight for any house party at Waddesdon. Today the aviary is home to 40 species - some of them rare and critically endangered - and runs a successful breeding programme. It was the inspiration for a display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2010.
Made up of 50,000 perennials and annuals, the bedding on the parterre is changed in May and October. The typically Victorian 'raised ribbon' bedding creates tiers of coloured bands. Either side of the central fountain are two long beds (45ft x 15ft) of carpet bedding: colourful dwarf foliage plants, clipped to make a uniform surface and laid out to create an image. The design for these beds is translated into a grid system on a computer, with each square corresponding to a tray of plants. The trays are then slotted into place, a process which takes just one day to complete.
Waddesdon has a long and imaginative tradition of carpet bedding, which as its name suggests, entails densely planted patterns of flowers and foliage in specially designed beds. It became popular from the mid 19th-century when the first displays were developed by John Fleming, Head Gardener at Cliveden. By the 1890s, the fashion was waning when the Rothschilds developed the concept into something altogether more exciting through pioneering the use of three-dimensional forms.
During the Victorian era, British explorers set off to the four corners of the globe to seek out new exotic species of plants. Their discoveries would be brought back and cultivated in special glasshouses by top horticulturists. During the summer months, it was highly fashionable for gardens to feature these exotic and unusual plants in their bedding displays. In this bed, to be found on the north front at Waddesdon, you will find purple leaf bananas, canna lilies, dahlias, palms and bamboos.
When Baron Ferdinand bought the Waddesdon Estate in 1874, the central hill was mostly farmland with few trees. Over the following 10 years a dramatic transformation took place, with the heavy clay soil of the site removed to a depth of 9.5ft to create a plateau. Mature lime, chestnut and oak trees were brought in using a specially designed cart, pulled by teams of imported Percheron horses to give the garden a mature look.
Acer palmatum showing good autumn colour near the aviary. Splashes of autumn colour can be found all round the 67 hectares (165 acres). Half Moon Path is a good place to see some of the smaller ornamental acers.
The gardens at Waddesdon essentially still follow the design of the French landscape architect Elie Lainé, who was commissioned by Baron Ferdinand and produced a garden which is a mixture of French formality and English romantic parkland. The parterre on the south side of the Manor is one of Waddesdon’s most eye-catching features and the focal point from most of the bedrooms and reception rooms.
The gardens at Waddesdon are home to one of the most important collections of 17th and 18th century garden statuary in the country, collected from France, Italy and the Netherlands. Whether closing a vista, emerging from shrubbery or leading the eye down a path, sculpture helps create the series of focal points and discoveries that was such an important element of Ferdinand’s vision. Here, Hercules slays the Nemean lion of Greek and Roman mythology.
Waddesdon has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, renowned for its seasonal displays, colourful shrubs, mature trees and parterre. The grounds offer shady walks, breathtaking views, fountains and grottoes. There are a number of set walks available to visitors, either led by a garden guide or self-guided. The new Contemporary Sculpture Walk spans 2.5 miles and takes in the Windmill Hill archive building – visit the Waddesdon website for more details or to download the route.