As summer gives way to autumn, Waddesdon Manor’s gardens and wider estate transform with rich seasonal colour, while a programme of autumn activities and experiences along with a rich programme of activities and experiences for all the family.
The Great Pumpkin Adventure
October Half-Term
Looking for family-friendly things to do this October half term? Pick your perfect pumpkin, get creative with autumn crafts and follow the trail along Miss Alice’s Drive, finishing with a delicious, decorated cookie.
Children can also enjoy free House and Grounds entry from 24 October to 1 November, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays.
Autumn Game Dinner
17 October
Celebrate the flavours of autumn with a five-course dinner created by Head Chef Ben Thurkettle, showcasing game and locally and ethically sourced ingredients from the Waddesdon Estate.
Each course is paired with carefully selected wines, with the evening beginning in our wine cellars with sparkling wine and canapés before dinner in the elegant Manor Restaurant.
Standing with Giants
21 October–29 November
This autumn, Standing with Giants returns to Waddesdon Manor with D-Day 1476 – For Your Tomorrow, commemorating the 1,476 lives lost under British command on D-Day.
For 2026, the installation will feature new silhouettes representing Beach Masters, Dog Handlers, Royal Navy Officers, Tank Crew, Merchant Navy personnel and Royal Engineers, alongside 40 additional figures representing British Commando Frogmen and Royal Army Medical Corps personnel.
Free with Grounds admission.
Standing with Giants: Dawn and Twilight Openings
Select dates in October – November
Experience For Your Tomorrow in a different light with exclusive dawn and twilight openings. Watch the sunrise illuminate the silhouettes in the quiet of the early morning, or see the installation transformed as the evening light fades across the landscape.
Twilight evenings will also feature a special performance on the South Terrace, creating an atmospheric way to experience this powerful installation.
1939-1945: A House Interrupted
21 October – 29 November
Join us to experience an immersive journey to discover how the House changed during the war years. Its splendid rooms will evoke the life of the children evacuated here in September 1939, making the House their home during one of the most uncertain periods in history. Dorothy de Rothschild will be your guide with her first-hand account of how the House and family adapted to wartime.
Artist & Makers Fair at The Dairy
4-6 December
Looking for Christmas shopping and festive things to do this winter? Visit the historic Dairy at Waddesdon Manor, for a three-day Artist & Makers Fair, bringing together 25 talented local artists, designers and makers.
Discover unique Christmas gifts, original artwork, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and homeware, alongside a selection from the Waddesdon Manor Gift Shop. You can also sample Rothschild wines and festive ports with guided tastings throughout the event.
Set beside the lake, the Victorian Dairy will also host a pop-up restaurant serving delicious brunches and traditional afternoon teas, the perfect way to enjoy a festive day out while discovering something special for Christmas.
