Hughenden Manor

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.

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Valley

14 Comments CherryPie on Jan 31st 2023

14 Responses to “Hughenden Manor”

  1. Ayush says:

    fabulous shots, CP. your clear and vibrant images on a beautiful day make this a joy to view and read.

  2. Ginnie Hart says:

    You had me at the chimney pots, Cherry!

  3. lisl says:

    It’s a grand mansion, Cherie – proof to him and others that he had “arrived”. Good to see it from so many angles

  4. Beautiful photos and oh my those chimney pots!!!! :)

  5. You picked the right time to visit this place!
    It was so busy while I was there in the summer time.

  6. Shabana says:

    Astounding and magnificent building dear Cheri.

    Secret map making site sounds mysterious

  7. lowcarbdiabeticJan says:

    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