Good exhibition of documents and artefacts around the house. The experienced and interesting room stewards added to the visit. Lovely gardens and walking areas especially in the summer.
The building is well worth a visit in view of the part it has played in this Countries' fate unto the second world war. It is surrounded by acres of woodland crossed by many (sometimes muddy) paths. Much of the area involves steep climbs which are rewarded with spectacular views. The area is also accessable by car and has a large picnic area
I am not a great fan of visiting historic houses but went along with my wife. Although the home of late prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, it lacks the ostentation of many National Trust houses - and I liked that. It was built as a family home rather than a mansion. A great house to visit and some excellent exhibits.
Disraeli's former country residence is well presented, showcasing the era of his life and then the latter use of Hughenden as a secret map-rendering location during the war. I learned a lot about Disraeli in a very short amount of time and the house is small but compact, with some lovely views out onto the grounds and a lot of interesting Disraeli memorabilia. The grounds are attached to the larger common park and provide excellent scope for walking and picnicking. As to be expected within a NT property, the stables have been converted to a nice cafe with the NT shop and secondhand bookshop alongside. Very good half-day trip. If you want to fill a full day, I would suggest combining with a planned walk in the nearby Chilterns or a visit to another NT property in the region.
Now, I'm no huge fan of NT house visits. There is usually too much to read in the way of Information Boards in each room, and I quickly tire of this. But this was an exception. First, not too much to read as there aren't that many rooms to see. But we joined two fascinating talks about Disraeli and then the use of the house in WW2. For me, the latter was the most interesting. Incredible that the story of the house in that period only came to light some 10 years ago. The guides were knowledgeable and had great delivery.The cafe was good too. Pity our choice of meal had run out (though it remained on the chalk board, to doubtless annoy later diners) but the alternative was probably better so no complaints there. Service was friendly and quick.Well worth the hour drive to visit.
Dark and seemingly uncomfortable, but apparently how Disraeli liked it to be. You can quickly get around the place and come to understand much of his rivalry with Gladstone and his attitude towards politics, women in general and his wife in particular. Lots of interesting momentoes on display and don't overlook the basement exhibition about Hughenden and High Wycombe in WW2.Unfortunately the car park is quite a schlep from the house.
Visited the Manor and was fascinated by the information surrounding the life and times of Benjamin Disraeli. The layout of the house was simple to follow and not too expansive so a tour of the house was easy. The bonus was the map room in the cellars utilised in World War II and unknown to the general public for years after. Food was available in the stable area and was of good quality.
Lovely surrounding they are currently do soe work perhaps extending the gardens for summer. The tea room is a little expensive and they had moved it to the main manor as the normal tea rooms don't usually open until March but by popular demand they managed to make an alternative...all in all lively morning.
As we had eaten locally we thought we would visit Hughenden manor on the way home. We arrived later in the afternoon so only had time to visit the house. We were surprised to have to pay full price for our friend and her son even though there was only an hour left of visiting time ( we are members) Signage wasn't particularly clear as to where the entrance was. The entrance to the house wasn't easily accessible as the staff table was too close to the doorway and too small to allow people in and out at the same time. The displays were very interesting but the staff seemed to lack knowledge about certain events and were not clearly identifiable. The top floor does not compliment the rest of the house. The Dizzy tea room was pleasant but only one member of staff is not enough. The shop was for a National Trust shop was poorly stocked and overpriced. Most disappointing of all was no guide book just pamphlets. The views from all aspects were fantastic .
It was good to find an NT property open in February. Driveway up is very steep, good clutch control required! Non slip shoes an idea too although golf buggy will transport you to house if mobility an issue. Give the stable cafe a miss if you want to sit for coffee as appears unheated at this time of year, theres another cafe in the house. Do have a look in as the old horse stalls are quite lovely. We joined the tour at 10.40 am which was free & very informative, it is a modest house so tour gave real insight into Victorian prime minister's private life & the secret WW2 mapping for bombing command. We saw large buzzard type birds in the grounds & heard the nearby church bells from the grounds below the house, quite charming, would be very attractive for walks when not so muddy, latter in the year.