Statesman Benjamin Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne had a significant influence on the styling of the country manor you see today. Disraeli hired architect Edward Buckton-Lamb to complete the transformation of Hughenden from a Georgian white stuccoed building into a Victorian country retreat. As you move through the rooms you will see the personalities of both husband and wife reflected in their tastes, and their status as rising members of Victorian high society.
Disraeli purchased Hughenden in 1848, shortly after becoming leader of the Conservative Party. Securing the manor was vital to the realisation of his political ambitions and his personal aspirations, and elevated him to the status of landed country gentleman.
In the main house the rooms are recreated as Disraeli would have known them, with the library full of his beloved books and the dining room set for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1877.
On the first floor is his study, bedroom and Mary Anne’s boudoir along with the black silk robe worn by Disraeli as Chancellor of the Exchequer, which he notoriously refused to give up. A special display ‘Treasured’ celebrates 125 years of National Trust care, through pieces from the Hughenden collection with a story to tell.
On the top floor is a timeline of Disraeli’s history and a special exhibition, The Royal Gifts of Hughenden, based on Disraeli’s close friendship with Queen Victoria.
The rooms in the west wing tell the story of Hughenden’s requisition by the Air Ministry in 1941 when the manor became home to a secret map-making operation, code-named Hillside.
fabulous shots, CP. your clear and vibrant images on a beautiful day make this a joy to view and read.
Thank you
You had me at the chimney pots, Cherry!
They were begging for their photo to be taken
It’s a grand mansion, Cherie – proof to him and others that he had “arrived”. Good to see it from so many angles
The information on the displays inside the house was really interesting.
Beautiful photos and oh my those chimney pots!!!!
The chimneys are fabulous
You picked the right time to visit this place!
It was so busy while I was there in the summer time.
Our optimum travel times are the beginning of June or early September. Not to busy but still with atmosphere
Astounding and magnificent building dear Cheri.
Secret map making site sounds mysterious
It was intentially hidden and secret. You can read more about it on the following link.
https://museumcrush.org/hughenden-reveals-its-role-as-top-secret-wwii-map-making-centre/
Lovely to see and read this post.
I visited Hughenden Manor with my parents when I was a teenager … quite some years ago now! LOL!
All the best Jan
This was my first visit, I found its history interesting.