This Christmas, Waddesdon is set to be transformed for a magical festive experience inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Enjoy beautifully decorated interiors, new light projections on the Manor façade, a glittering light trail in the gardens, and the return of the ever-popular Christmas market.

Taking the classic story as inspiration, a team of designers and artists are creating Waddesdon’s most enchanting Christmas experience to date with theatrical installations, projections and soundscapes, bringing the much-loved fairytale to life in some of the Manor’s grandest rooms.

The story has a special significance for The Rothschild family who originally built Waddesdon Manor. In 1913, James and Dorothy de Rothschild commissioned renowned artist and stage designer, Léon Bakst, to paint a set of seven panels depicting scenes from Sleeping Beauty for the dining room of their London townhouse. James asked Bakst to use members of the Rothschild family, their friends and staff as models for the characters. These panels will be on display at Waddesdon this Christmas.

Outside, the Sleeping Beauty story is continued with bespoke projections on the Manor façade, drawing inspiration from the Bakst paintings and objects from Waddesdon’s collections. The building itself, with its turrets and towers, is a fairy-tale castle in its own right.

Through the grounds, the landscape will be transformed by lights and projections, and a special feature of this year’s celebrations will be a walk-through installation at the Stables. Here, visitors can enjoy artworks made by local school children who have been working with artists to create a series of pieces based on the theme ‘Happily Ever After’.

Waddesdon’s popular Christmas Fair (15 Nov – 22 Dec) is also back, and new for 2024, visitors are invited to five late-night openings on selected Fridays.

With group rates from £20 for 15+ visitors, to book contact groups@waddesdon.org.uk or call 01296 653285. Find out more at https://waddesdon.org.uk/your-visit/groups-travel-trade/groups-christmas/