Hughenden Manor is a historic National Trust property

Hughenden Manor is a unique estate currently managed by the National Trust, an organization we have written about multiple times. If this is your first visit, and you are not entirely sure what the National Trust is, I recommend reading our previous article, where we explained the principles of this esteemed institution and why it is worth becoming a member.

As for the uniqueness of Hughenden Manor, it stems from the countless dramas and numerous events associated with this place, which have affected not only the Disraeli family, the owners of the estate, but also the entire kingdom. In Victorian times, the beautiful house, set in the midst of an extensive park and beautiful gardens, was the backdrop for political skirmishes, love stories, and a place visited by monarchs and the most important people in the country.

Country estate Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor tour of the beautiful estate

Visiting Hughenden Manor is a pure delight; the interiors are well-maintained and exude the extraordinary atmosphere of the bygone Victorian era when servants bustled through the corridors, and the salons hosted the country’s most prominent figures. Thanks to the meticulous restoration of most rooms according to historical records, you can see original finishes and details, as well as valuable furniture, carpets, and decor of each room.

Pay special attention to the beautiful dining room, which was rebuilt and furnished uniquely to host Queen Victoria herself, who visited the estate in 1877. Moreover, be sure to spend some time in the stunning library, my favourite spot in old English estates.

Below, I will list the rooms in the house that made the greatest impression on me and that you should definitely pay attention to.

Gardens and parks at Hughenden Manor

If you enjoy strolling through gardens and parks, I suggest visiting Hughenden Manor in late spring or summer, when most of the plants are in bloom. The garden looks beautiful and smells like a dream.

The gardens around the house are divided into several sections, including the formal garden at the back of the house, designed and maintained according to Victorian fashion. It has an Italian style, full of terraces, classical sculptures, and views of the vast spaces in the distance.

The loveliest part of the gardens is the area in front of the house. It features flower beds, beautifully manicured lawns, fountains, and impressive trees, including a rare Cypriot cedar, very uncommon in England. The trees are chosen to stay green all year round, making the brick residence look stunning against their backdrop.

The gardens change with the seasons and for various occasions such as holidays or special National Trust days. During these times, gardeners, and landscape architects have free rein to showcase their talent and imagination. When we visited Hughenden Manor, the lawns, groves, and other areas around the house were styled to resemble a realm straight out of Greek myths. We found elements from the myth of Narcissus, among others.

Another part of the gardens is the recreational area, slightly less formal, established back in the 18th century. This whole place resembles a wild garden, which was very fashionable at the time. The recreational area seamlessly connects with the park, where various tree species grow, decided to keep the park interesting in every season.

Within the park is Mary Anne’s private garden. It is a walled space where seasonal flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees are planted. The fruit trees are pruned to remain low so that the fruits are within easy reach. The garden’s location and its specially designed wall ensure it remains a peaceful haven, retaining warmth on cool and windy days. It was a place where the family’s closest friends would gather, and the vegetables and fruits grown there added variety to the household’s cuisine. Next to the private garden, you will also find a beautiful but small orchard with apple and pear trees.

Arcades the entrance to the estate

The arcade is an arched porch and vestibule leading to the main entrance of Hughenden Manor. Currently, they are glazed and constitute a separate room, but in the past it was open, probably to protect the statues standing inside. One of the statues depicts Benjamin Disraeli himself in the robes of a knightly order decorated with the Order of the Garter, which is one of the highest orders awarded by a ruling dynasty. The second statute is that of Edward Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby, who appointed Benjamin Disraeli as Chancellor of the Exchequer during the Tory government.

Entrance hall at Hughenden Manor

This room is the main part of the house, from which corridors lead to other rooms and stairs ascend to the upper floor. It is designed to make everyone feel important, as all doors and passageways look identical, though they lead to areas designated for guests of different statuses.

Upon entering the hall, be sure to look up, and you will see a beautiful ribbed ceiling adorned with the Disraeli family crests. Documents indicate that the hall’s decor was overseen by Mary Anne, Benjamin’s wife, who designed the ceiling, the shape of the doors, and placed a charming fireplace decorated with brass elements on one of the walls. This, I assume, made the entire room feel cosy and welcoming.

Mary Anne had the habit of personally lighting the fire in the fireplace just before Benjamin returned home, charming, isn’t it?

The walls are adorned with paintings depicting Benjamin and other visitors to the estate. In the corners stand sculptures and busts of unidentified gentlemen, but they look lovely and add an air of luxury and historical depth to the interior.

Hughenden Manor and my favourite place, the library

As I mentioned earlier, I really love libraries in English estates. These are not just places filled with books and ancient knowledge, but also main rooms where time was spent in discussions, enjoying the presence of guests and friends.

The library at Hughenden has over 3,000 books, with the oldest dating back to 1477. Besides the library, books can be found everywhere in Hughenden, indicating the inhabitants’ love for literature. I presume Benjamin inherited his passion for surrounding himself with books from his father, a scientist, and writer, who amassed nearly 25,000 volumes during his lifetime and passed them on to his son.

From Benjamin’s personal letters to friends, it is evident that he was saddened by having to sell most of the collection, as there wasn’t enough space in Hughenden Manor to display the entire collection. Benjamin kept those works from the original collection that covered topics of interest to him, so today, historical, political, philosophical works, travel literature, and poetry line the shelves.

An interesting feature of the library is the ceiling adorned with scenes from Aesop’s famous fables, Benjamin’s favourite childhood book. Additionally, original furniture such as the desk where Benjamin worked, as well as slightly worn armchairs and leather sofas, can be found in the library. The interior is very inviting, and I know that if this were my home, I would spend most of my time here.

A living room for women called the drawing room

The room designated for women, where they would gather after lunch and theoretically engage in relaxing creative activities, such as painting. At the same time, men would be in the library drinking whiskey and discussing current politics and business.

Of course, women weren’t necessarily painting or embroidering; rather, they engaged in equally important discussions. Women would plan their own and their families’ futures, often arranging careers for relatives or even the men themselves, before delicately conveying their ideas and considerations to their husbands.

This salon was Mary Anne’s domain and sanctuary. She frequently changed its decor, furniture, and decorations to reflect current fashion trends and aesthetic requirements. Pay particular attention to the beautiful gilded porcelain and exquisite furniture and decorations. Some furniture and decorations were made by the lady of the house herself, while others were purchased from the finest furniture craftsmen after Mary Anne elevated her status, receiving the title of viscountess.

The room is very lovely, spacious, and bright, thanks to numerous windows overlooking the nearby gardens.

Garden living room

The salon with direct access to the garden is another room that I found particularly appealing. The view from the salon is stunning, encompassing a large portion of the Italian garden designed by Mary Anne. Previously, the garden was filled with metal pergolas adorned with flowers and climbing plants.

In the salon, there is a beautiful Gothic fireplace, specially carved for Benjamin by the renowned John Baldwin. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see mythical creatures such as dragons and basilisks. Additionally, the room is adorned with numerous paintings and portraits of parliamentarians and Benjamin’s friends. However, the highlight of the interior remains the view of the garden.

Queen Victoria’s dining room

The dining room located on the ground floor of the house was rebuilt and adapted for the visit of Queen Victoria in 1877. The floors were changed especially for this occasion and the walls of the dining room were lined with dark wood. Additionally, the windows and wood on the ceiling were replaced.

The furniture and tableware in the room were also replaced so that the distinguished guest would feel special. During the dinner, the queen’s favourite dishes were served. As we know from history, she was a terrible glutton and quite a picky eater. According to the court diaries, Queen Victoria considered the visit successful and did not find fault with anything, which was a significant achievement for the lady of the house and the numerous servants.

The cellars of Hughenden Manor and the secret RAF intelligence base

In the basement of the estate, you will find the restored headquarters of a secret intelligence agency from the period of World War II. Here, dozens of people analysed data sent by spies and RAF aviation about the positions of German troops, as well as strategic targets that should be prioritized for destruction.

Based on these analyses, orders were issued to RAF bombers, which destroyed designated targets across occupied Europe. The intelligence base at Hughenden was so secretive that only a few dozen people knew of its existence.

Of course, besides the aforementioned rooms, you will find numerous bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, utility rooms, and quarters for the staff throughout the house. Everything looks very nice and has been meticulously reconstructed and renovated. I highly encourage you to visit this extraordinary place and delve deeper into its history, facilitated by the numerous materials gathered in various parts of the house.

Hughenden Manor practical information

• Hughenden Manor is open from 11:00 to 17:00, with the last entry at 16:30.
• The garden, café, and souvenir shop are open from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Opening hours may vary depending on various circumstances. Therefore, I recommend checking the official website of the historic estate before planning your visit.
• Entry to the estate is free for National Trust members. Information on how to become a member of this esteemed institution was provided in a previous article.
• If you are not a National Trust member, you will need to pay £16.50 for adult admission and £8.30 for children. Family and combined options are also available, which you can check on the official Hughenden Manor website.
• Dogs are allowed on the estate, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Animals are not allowed inside the manor house.
• On the estate grounds, you will find a shop, restaurant, and toilets.
• Parking in front of the estate is free for National Trust members; others must pay a small fee.
• Wheelchairs are available for hire on-site, but you must inform Hughenden Manor staff the day before by phone or email at hughenden@nationaltrust.org.uk.
• Address of Hughenden Manor: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA.

Hughenden Manor facts, information and interesting facts

• Hughenden Manor is located in the Chiltern Valley amidst old forests and numerous hills in Buckinghamshire.
• It is a Victorian residence built on the foundations of earlier estates, whose history dates back almost 1000 years.
• The house has three floors, with all the reception rooms located on the ground floor. The upper floors were occupied by the family of the owners and a large staff.
• The last private owners of the manor and its surrounding lands were the Disraeli family.
• The house was purchased by Benjamin’s father, the antiquarian, and scholar Isaac Disraeli, in 1816 for £25,000. In today’s terms, it would be approximately £1,500,000.
• After inheriting the estate from his father, Benjamin, and his wife Mary Anne renovated the house and its surrounding gardens, transforming the raw estate into a comfortable country residence.
• Benjamin Disraeli was a long-serving parliamentarian and Prime Minister of Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria.
• Victoria was closely associated with Benjamin and befriended him, which gave her influence over the functioning of Parliament.
• The house features a dining room specially furnished for Queen Victoria’s visit. An anecdote related to this occasion is that Victoria was very short, measuring only 149 centimetres in height, which she was very sensitive about. Therefore, the legs of the chair on which the queen was to sit, were shortened so that the sovereign, while seated, could touch the ground with her feet, while the rest of the guests kindly hunched over during meals.
• The newest part of the mansion is the western wing, built in 1910 by Disraeli’s nephew, also a politician.
• The landmark has been owned by the National Trust since 1947.
• After the National Trust took over the property, it was renovated, and today it looks exactly as it did when the Disraeli lived there.
• Hughenden Manor is recognized as a Grade I listed building.
• The gardens at Hughenden Manor are listed in the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
• During World War II, Hughenden Manor served as a secret RAF intelligence base.

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