Hughenden, National Trust
Hughenden is a National Trust property that we visit often because it’s close to where we live, and it offers a nice mixture of gardens, walking trails, a small woodland playground for young children, and a Manor that doesn’t take too long to walk around.
Hughenden is best known as the country home of Benjamin Disraeli, Britain’s first Jewish Prime Minister, and Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister, who lived in the onsite Manor from 1848 until 1881.
Many of Benjamin Disraeli’s personal effects still inhabit the rooms.
When entering the Manor, the rooms on the ground floor are set up exactly as Benjamin Disraeli had them. The dining room is set up for dinner, and the library is full of his books.
On the first floor is Benjamin Disraeli’s study, his bedroom, his wife’s bedroom, and a small exhibition room housing a black silk robe that he wore as Chancellor of the Exchequer, enclosed within a glass case, and lit by a very small amount of light.
There’s also a large space dedicated to some more exhibitions, one educating visitors on Hughenden’s history, another showing a video detailing Benjamin Disraeli’s relationship with Queen Victoria, and another displaying memorabilia and gifts Benjamin Disraeli received from influential people, including Queen Victoria.
Hughenden also has another exhibition, which was originally located in the basement, but has since been moved the ground floor, that tells the story of Hughenden’s top secret Second World War map making activities.
There’s also a re-created dark room in the ice house, behind the Manor.
It’s a very nice looking Manor from the outside, but the inside is more educational than impressive.
If you love learning about the history of National Trust properties, and even love learning about politics, you’ll really enjoy Hughenden.
Hughenden also has a lot of outdoor areas to explore, one of these areas is the formal garden behind the Manor, which has a parterre, urns, garden beds, and a couple of paths that lead to the walled garden.
There are also some hills, which is Ryan’s second favourite thing about Hughenden, after the Woodland Play Area, he rolls down them every time we visit, regardless of the weather.
Hughenden’s walled garden has a lot of apple trees in it, and in October there are many different varieties of pumpkin scattered around scarecrows, which Ryan always enjoys looking at.
There are a lot of picnic areas at Hughenden, and an expansive amount of green space full of trees, beautiful views, streams, hills, and valleys.
It even has the UK’s largest Horse-Chestnut Tree located onsite.
There are also many walking trails to explore, and so far we’ve only done one of them, which is behind the house.
We found ourselves deep in woodland on this particular walking trail, pushing Thomas’ buggy over tree roots, having to lift the buggy with him in it through narrow trees, walking over tree trunks, and helping other children build dens.
One thing we absolutely do every time is visit the Woodland Play Area, which is located on the walk back to the car park. The play area has been carved from fallen trees, and has rope walkways, stepping stones, rope ladders, and a den in it.
Ryan loves the challenge of climbing the stepping stones.
The play area is by far the best thing that Hughenden has for young children, but may not be enough to keep them interested for long. So if visiting, make sure to bring snacks and even a picnic, so you can make the most of your day.
Hughenden is located at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA. For more information on Hughenden please visit their website.
Related posts:
West Wycombe Park, National Trust
National Trust visits
6 great day trips in England
What are some of your favourite day out locations?
I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.
