National Trust - Hughenden — Attraction in Great Britain

Edit, we came back to Hughenden on a day with much better weather. Greeted by lovely VR staff. We went into the house and the lady on the door was so great as she gave my partner a holder for my daughter which really saved her arms. We really enjoyed the WW2 part of Hughenden, very interesting stuff. The flowers were in bloom on the parterre which were very pretty. Had a lovely chat with the staff on site and then left. So I'm gonna add it up to 4 stars. Didn't stay long but it was a much enjoyable experience, especially as they fixed the maps. Apparently

We had an OK day out at Hughenden. The weather was good in the first half but then it was torrential rain.The gardens were small but lovely. They house looked stunning though we went when it was closed due to covid so that's not their fault. Unfortunately after we had done the gardens and looked at the view we were a bit stumped on what else to do. It also didn't help that so many paths and gates were locked so we couldn't get to the rest of the parkland and we weren't the only ones struggling as we saw plenty of people hop fences and jump up the wall as people were confused on how to get back to the house and gardens. I understand its probably to secure the property with the public footpath through but even so it was quite confusing one how to get to the walks.

The parklands were nice but nothing special even with a pretty stream. We were also disappointed with the way markers as they are very few and far between. Also the map that they have on display boards is not very informative as it has no walk routes or where the toilets or cafe are. Sure you can find a better map on their website with details, and that's if you have data to look it up which we had to otherwise would of never found our walking route, but why not have that map out in the first place on display boards.

We eventually made our way to the monument on the other side of the park which unfortunately we got soaked trying to get there but that's no one else's fault but our own but the view was worth it. The views were definitely the best thing about this property but other than that I genuinely found it quite boring. I always try to see the best in places but it really is quite a boring property and probably won't return until all restrictions are lifted so all the gates and pathways will be back open and we can go into the house.

If I could change one thing it would definitely be having the better detailed map on the...

Yesterday I visited the home of Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor.

My experience of this iconic Victorian home at 11.15am was marred by the unfortunate manner of the volunteer welcoming the public into the house. Every man ahead of me who had a backpack and I mean small ones were officiously told to either wear them to the front or to hand them over for safekeeping sans any money. The reason given was to prevent theft from the property.

So after she had scanned our cards (the third time since the parking lot) I told her politely before she demanded that I hand over my small sling pack would not be giving her my bag as it only contained an expensive zoom lens which I could not afford to get damaged. She became exceedingly unpleasant, and it made me wonder why the Trust would permit volunteers with that dogmatic attitude to welcome paying members and the public. I will also mention that no woman was asked to hand over a handbag.

Putting that unpleasant welcome aside, the inside of the Disraeli home captured their Victorian lifestyle well.

Hughenden requisitioned by the Air Ministry from 1941-46 and code-named Hillside, became a key mapping centre for the war effort, producing some 3500 target maps for the RAF’s nearby Bomber Command HQ. This 'top secret' function of the Disraeli home is highlighted in the war time exhibition staged within the rooms of the house.

The garden beds on the front lawn were between plantings but the roses in front of the house and in the walled garden were magnificent and should be in full flush in a week.

We wandered down to the church on the property which is near the chalkbed stream, St Michael's and All Angels', to see the grave of Benjamin Disraeli , Queen Victoria's favorite prime minister and friend, which he shares his wife who had died a few years before him.

Well worth a visit, despite the dragon...

Visited Hughenden as part of a visit to do two National Trust locations in one day, the other being Greys Court near Henley on Thames. A good NT location with all the usual amenities like cafe, giftshop and second hand book shop. But obviously the house and gardens are the main attraction and they are both well worth a visit. All three floors of the house were open on the day we visited with NT guides in most rooms who were all very knowledgeable and happy to take questions, every room had something to catch your attention. The Hillside exhibition on the ground floor is definitely worth making time for. It shows the work of a secret map drawing unit that was set up by the RAF during WWII with theim drawing more detailed maps for bombing missions over Germany. Obviously can't talk about Hughenden without mentioning Benjamin Disrael, whose home this was and Queen Victoria who Disrael acted as Prime for during part of her reign. There is so much content around the house that covers this time that this alone makes it a really interesting house to visit. Don't forget the gardens well tended and looking great in the afternoon sun On the way in and out you pass the church of St Michael and All Angels which is the burial site a of Disrael and some of his family members and if you have time it is also worth a visit, also worth going inside the church. All in all spent an enjoyable 3 hours here and would...