Christmas at Waddesdon: A Grand Festive Tour

This Christmas, Waddesdon Manor will take you and your loved ones on a very, very special journey…

Join Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, and his beloved poodle Poupon, for a delightful tour through the Manor exploring the festive traditions that light up the winter season across Europe. Each stop on the way is inspired by cities which Ferdinand knew and loved, blending local heritage with seasonal customs and links to Waddesdon’s famous art collection.

As you approach…

Be fully immersed in a world of light and sound as the magnificent Manor façade and setting are transformed, taking you on your very own Grand Tour, without leaving Buckinghamshire. Specially created projection mapping will bring the Manor’s unique architecture to life reflecting the various locations inspired by Ferdinand’s travels, featuring some of the same destinations spotlighted in the House.

The grand trees and specimen planting flanking the North Front will also be dynamically illuminated and the expansive lawns below bathed in a colour-changing light display. This year the light show will run continuously from dusk, so there’s plenty of time and chances to take photos and capture magical moments.

Specially created projection mapping will animate the Manor’s unique architecture to reflect the various locations inspired by Ferdinand’s travels, featuring some of the same destinations spotlighted in the House. The trees cloaking the North Front will also be dynamically lit and the expansive lawns bathed in an extraordinary new first of its kind fully immersive light show, featuring specially commissioned digital projections, lighting effects and sound all choreographed to wrap around you. Each light show will last for approximately 25 minutes, so there’s plenty of time and chances to take photos and capture magical moments.

Inside the House

The opulent interiors of Baron Ferdinand’s beautiful Manor will have an extra ‘wow!’ factor in selected rooms, with lavish decorations alongside delightful light and sound installations bringing the Grand Festive Tour to life.

Creating a completely immersive effect as you embark on a magical Christmas journey, each stop along the way represents a European destination once visited by Ferdinand, with highlights including Venice (in the East gallery), Paris (in the Dining Room), Geneva (in the White Drawing Room), Bavaria (in the Billiard Room) and Vienna (in the Breakfast Room).

There’s a further delight in store as guests encounter a giant snow globe as a memorable finale to their unforgettable festive journey.

The Light Trail

Winding through the colour-drenched woodland outside, you’ll discover a mesmerising light trail featuring new installations alongside seasonal favourites. Highlights include a tunnel of lights, a series of interactive installations powered by sound and movement and, back by popular demand, the spectacular shooting star, which was a hit with visitors in 2023. Additional installations include an 8-metre-tall Pole Tree and giant illuminated gold presents, creating the perfect selfie spot. Bringing a classic touch of Christmas, the pole tree will be fully programmed with lighting effects to mimic twinkling fairy lights, candy cane stripes, and other festive patterns.

Christmas Market (22 November – 14 December)

For 2025 the popular Christmas Market moves to the South side of the Manor, overlooking the Parterre. This is the perfect place to pause and savour a superb selection of festive goodies from hand-picked makers and producers, and the chance to buy unique artisan gifts and local produce to make Christmas extra special.

To complement the market, there will be a seasonal selection of takeaway food and drink to enjoy whilst exploring the light trail and immersive light show.

Shopping

There will also be an exclusive assortment of homeware, food, gifts and world-renowned Rothschild wines to purchase in the Waddesdon Wine and Gift Shop, alongside a pop-up Christmas Shop in the Powerhouse offering everything from gifts and tableware to decorations, party supplies, toys, games and stocking fillers.

Christmas for Children in The Coach House

One of the most beloved features of Christmas at Waddesdon is the display in the Coach House at the Stables which will again be transformed by the imagination and creativity of thousands of local school children. Inspired by the theme of ‘Sounds of the Season’, the space will be filled with art and installations bringing to life festive music, song and sounds from carols to musical traditions and stories. It never fails to charm and entertain.

Festive Dining

The Manor Restaurant will once again be serving its signature Festive Afternoon Tea, while the chefs and their talented colleagues in the kitchen have also created a Festive Feast dinner menu, which will be available exclusively on 5, 12 and 19 December. Experience true baronial splendour as the evening begins in the historic wine cellar with sparkling wine and canapés, before sitting down in the atmospheric Manor Restaurant for a five-course dinner showcasing seasonal dishes, each course expertly paired with fine wines. It is an extravagant gift in itself!

Stay

The only way to make the experience even more magical is by making a weekend of it and checking into the elegant Five Arrows Hotel, or enjoying a restorative drink at the charming Bow pub.

All stays at The Five Arrows during the festive season include tickets to Christmas at Waddesdon, with packages starting from £175.

Meanwhile, at The Bow, guests can expect roaring fires, hearty food and good cheer all round. The menu is full of comforting winter dishes and creative twists on Christmas classics. For the ultimate treat, The Bow is also offering a four-course lunch on Christmas Day priced at £90 per person.

As Waddesdon Manor was originally conceived by Baron Ferdinand as a weekend retreat and a luxurious setting for house parties, it’s only appropriate that today’s grown-up guests can fully immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit with a selection of festive event packages.

Private Events

There are several locations across the estate, including The Dairy, the Manor, The Five Arrows, The Bow and the spectacular, contemporary Windmill Hill – each offering the perfect setting for unique private events, including exclusive hire, elegant dinners, lively receptions and Christmas parties.

Pippa Shirley, Director of Waddesdon, says: “Christmas at Waddesdon is always magical for all ages, and this year, we can’t wait to invite you to join us on a wonderful festive tour inspired by the travels of Baron Ferdinand (accompanied of course by his faithful canine companion, Poupon) and our wealth of European history. We’re also incredibly excited that visitors will be greeted by a rippling tide of light flowing across the lawns, through the trees and up to the house bringing both the magnificent architecture and our beautiful setting to life. Whether you know Waddesdon well, or you are visiting for the first time, you will see it in new ways, and we promise that you will be entranced.”

 

OPENING DATES, TIMES AND TICKETS

All visits to the grounds and House must be pre-booked online to avoid disappointment, including National Trust members.

National Trust prices start from £13.00 adults, £6.00 children (off-peak). Full details of prices and online booking information, here www.waddesdon.org.uk/christmas

Christmas at Waddesdon

Wednesday–Sunday, 22 November 2025–4 January 2026 (plus Monday 22, Tuesday 23, Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 December 2025)

Closed: Thursday 25 & Friday 26 December 2025

Grounds: 12noon–7pm

House: 12.30pm–7pm

Christmas Market

Until Sunday 14 December 2025, 12noon–7pm

Included with Grounds or House & Grounds admission

Late night openings

Saturday 22 & 29 November and Saturday 6, 13 & 20 December 2025

Grounds: 12noon–8pm

House: 12.30–7pm

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES CAN BE DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Waddesdon Manor was built at the end of the 19th century by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the style of a French early 16th-century château. Baron Ferdinand was an inspired collector, and the house was designed to showcase his exceptional collection of English and Dutch paintings, French 18th-century furniture, Sèvres porcelain, and other decorative arts. When Ferdinand died in 1898, he left Waddesdon to his sister, Alice, who also was a great collector. Upon her death the house passed to her great-nephew, James de Rothschild, who inherited a substantial part of his father Baron Edmond’s great collection. In 1957, to ensure its future in perpetuity, Waddesdon was bequeathed to the National Trust. The Rothschild family continues to run Waddesdon through a family charitable trust, the Rothschild Foundation. Until February 2024, it was under the chairmanship of Jacob, 4th Baron  Rothschild. His eldest daughter, Hannah Rothschild, is now the Chair. More at https://waddesdon.org.uk/about-us/press/notes-for-editors/

For more information on Waddesdon and its exhibitions, visit www.waddesdon.org.uk, like WaddesdonManor on Facebook, follow @WaddesdonManor on Twitter and waddesdonmanor_nt on Instagram.

Inside the House, lead Design Creative Jane Le Bon has devised the interior decoration and installation with Tom Le Bon from BOSUN providing digital content and soundscapes.

Jane Le Bon Creative is an International Design and Styling company for Events, Media, Retail and Exhibitions which has been crafted over many years. Working with a wide variety of high profile clients and projects they deliver bespoke site specific seasonal decoration and immersive installation designs to delight and inspire audiences. Details can be found at www.janelebon.com 

BOSUN is a digital installation studio founded by Tom Le Bon, specialising in immersive experiences for the cultural and commercial sectors. From projection-mapped storytelling to large-scale audiovisual environments, BOSUN creates work that captivates and connects. Clients include major heritage institutions and global brands, with standout projects at Outernet London and Waddesdon Manor. www.tomlebon.com

The outdoor projections, manor illuminations and light trail have been created in partnership for Waddesdon by Tom Chennells from light art pioneers Luminism, alongside animation design partner Illuminos and lighting designers Woodroffe Bassett Design.

Luminism is a pioneering light art design company, who fuse technology with light to create immersive experiences and engaging attractions through the manipulation of light, colours and shadows. Working with a range of forms from modern sculptural pieces through huge ground-based lightshows to more traditional festive installations and interactive elements. Luminism can be found at www.luminism.co.uk

Illuminos are brothers Matt and Rob Vale, who for over 10 years have been creating visually inventive, memorable projection artworks and experiences. Their works range from very large-scale illuminations to small scale imagery but always working with a focussed ethos of creating something unique and specific to location and viewer. www.illuminos.co.uk

Woodroffe Bassett Design (WBD) is one of the best-known and most prolific lighting design brands operating in the world of entertainment and architecture today. WBD work for an unrivalled who’s who network of clients globally and is a thriving creative practice focused on providing dynamic, intelligent and often breath-taking lighting design projects across a broad range of genres. www.woodroffebassett.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tracy Jones, Brera PR – [email protected] / 01702 216658 / 07887 514984

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