Festival of Blossom at Waddesdon Manor

Celebrate the Festival of Blossom this year with fresh flower displays in the House, a trail highlighting objects in the Collection and spring blooms in the gardens.

As you step into the Manor you will be greeted by displays of winding pink blossom and arching tulips, tall fritillaria, Allium, Viburnham Guelda in shades of warm orange, peach, white, spring green and deep purple. Sitting beneath the huge chandelier in the Breakfast Room is an impressive display of English pink blossom and tall French tulips. Interspersed amongst the house plants in the conservatory are vases filled with spring flowers. Fresh flowers will be on display until Monday 21 April.

To discover the ways that flowers have been used throughout the house, from historical arrangements and early photography to their appearance in gilt-bronze and on Chinese porcelain, follow the Blossom Trail around the ground floor.

From May, admire the Horse chestnut trees in bloom, one of the most magnificent sights in the gardens at Waddesdon. For a short time, they are laden with creamy white or pink pyramids of blossom, the famous “candles”. Horse chestnuts come into leaf earlier than many trees, with five or seven leaflets on each large leaf, and the candles follow soon after. Many of our chestnuts are around 150 years old and were planted by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild when he was laying out the gardens at the Manor.