| Cent Magazine Enchanting Christmas at Waddesdon

Who doesn’t love a fairytale? The magical power of true love within these tales is like a timeless melody that resonates in the hearts of those who experience it. It can transcend barriers, heal wounds, and ignite the soul with a profound sense of belonging. What then when one of these tales is brought to life? Find out more at Enchanting Christmas at Waddesdon: Dive into the Sleeping Beauty Experience

Once upon a time, there was a celebration for the birth of a princess named Aurora. The king and queen feared the presence of an evil fairy named Maleficent at the celebration because of her dark and malevolent nature. Of course, she cursed Aurora to die on her 16th birthday, by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel.

To protect Aurora, another good fairy altered the curse so that Aurora would not die but instead fall into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by true love’s kiss. As predicted, on Aurora’s 16th birthday, she discovered the spinning wheel and pricked her finger, falling into a deep slumber.

Christmas at Waddesdon installation by Nathan Ward © Waddesdon Manor, National Trust. Photo Peter Greenway

The good fairies placed the entire kingdom under a sleeping spell to ensure Aurora didn’t wake up alone. We know of course, that in the end a handsome prince kissed her and brought about a happy ending. This year, however, Princess Aurora has been woken up at the Waddesdon House instead of her family’s castle. This tale is universal, told across cultures. In the Italian version ‘Sun, Moon, and Talia’, to the German version by the Brothers Grimm, the princess is ‘Briar Rose’.

Waddesdon Manor, where this story is set this festive season, is a magnificent French château-style mansion in Buckinghamshire, England, known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and impressive art collection. For the holiday period, it is bringing this love story to reality.

The Manor’s transformation into a fairy tale setting inspired by Sleeping Beauty offers an experience filled with wonder and delightful including 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 fair at the estate this season.

The innovative use of projections on the architectural canvas of the building adds a new dimension to the storytelling, making it a truly immersive and unforgettable event.

Christmas at Waddesdon © Waddesdon Manor, National Trust.

Projection of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale at the Waddesdon building was created by 59 Productions, a renowned creative company specializing in designing and producing innovative and immersive projections for various events and performances. They are known for their unique approach to storytelling through visual mediums, blending artistry with technology and their work often involves transforming spaces and narratives through dynamic projections.

Friends and families are stepping into the enchanting outdoor experience where the Sleeping Beauty tale comes to life with stunning projections on the Manor façade. The landscape transforms into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, lights, and music, creating a truly magical and mesmerizing atmosphere. The story projected on the front of the building brings a new dimension to this tale.

The rooms inside Waddesdon House, each themed to Sleeping Beauty, were meticulously designed by talented artists and designers to bring the fairy tale to life. The intricate decorations and setups in these rooms were crafted by skilled individuals who aimed to create a magical and enchanting experience for visitors.

Christmas at Waddesdon 2022, Dining Room © Waddesdon Manor, National Trust. Photo Hugh Mothersole

The fusion of fairy tale elements with the expertise of these artists and designers truly makes the experience immersive and captivating. The title of each room tells stories, starting from the Dining room where the celebration for the birth of Aurora continued, a table set with a glittering display which speaks of wealth and royalty, down to the Smoking room, where Bad Fairy transforms into a ferocious dragon and smoke rises from the dragon’s nostrils and belly.

The indoor decorations also include paintings from Léon Bakst, an artist the Rothschild family commissioned to create the family members as characters many years ago.

This unique and creative approach blended their family history with the magic of storytelling, turning the family into characters in their very own fairy tale. It’s a fascinating way to personalize and immortalize their family legacy through the lens of a timeless narrative and this set of paintings by the Russian artist and designer, Léon Bakst.

Bakst was known for his significant contributions to the world of art and theatre. He was renowned for his innovative work in set and costume design, particularly for the Ballets Russes, a famous ballet company based in Russia.

For this Christmas only, his paintings are being displayed in the Tower Room and this served as inspiration for the beloved fairytale of Sleeping Beauty brought to life throughout the House.

Léon Bakst, The Sleeping Beauty: The Aged King Pleads with the Good Fairy, 1913-1922; Waddesdon (Rothschild Foundation); acc. no.89.1995.4. Photo © National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

One of the highlights of this year at Waddesdon includes a captivating installation by theatre designer, Tom Piper MBE, in the White Drawing Room, who is known for his work in set and costume design His contribution directly responds to Bakst’s artwork. The blend of contemporary design with traditional art creates a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors, bridging the past with the present in a visually striking way. The soundscape that accompanied these artworks was created by Guildhall Production Studio, featuring new music by artists from Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Next up is the extraordinary light trail through the grounds of the manor house. The light trail at Waddesdon House is indeed a significant part of the seasonal activities.

Christmas at Waddesdon 2022, Light Trail © Waddesdon Manor, National Trust. Photo Hugh Mothersole

It features dazzling light displays that illuminate the gardens and create a stunning festive atmosphere.

The estate is also offering specially selected artisan stalls, housed in charming wooden chalets, complementing the traditional market. Amongst all, there are holiday wares displayed at Waddesdon House typically including a variety of festive items such as Christmas-themed clothing, accessories, decorations, and seasonal gifts. Visitors can find a charming selection of holiday-inspired products to add a touch of magic to their celebrations.

The food stalls offer a tasty selection of takeaway food and drink. Late-night openings would be on 22nd and 29th of November, 6th, 13th and 20th of December. The festive shopping experience is being held this year, and started on the 15th of November and runs until 22nd of December .

Christmas Fair at Waddesdon © Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens. Photo Chris Lacey

The House will be open until 8pm, with the last entry at 7.20pm whilst the grounds will be open until 9pm, with the last entry at 7pm and this can be booked on the website. This fusion of fairy tales with modern technology creates a magical and enchanting experience for viewers.

Amongst all is the rich and beautiful surroundings at Waddesdon finds its restaurant with a rich menu that compliments the estate’s heritage. Every dish is carefully crafted, using the finest seasonal ingredients. Most of these products come from Eythrope Gardens which is just three miles from Waddesdon Manor.

Originally designed by Alice de Rothschild in the late 19th century and meticulously restored by the late Lord and Lady Rothschild, these gardens continue to supply fresh flowers and produce to the Manor Restaurant, ensuring each flavour reflects the estate’s heritage.

Waddesdon Manor’s captivating history traces back to the late 19th century when it was built by the Rothschild family, known for their influential role in finance and banking. Their impact on economic history, especially in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, is significant. The Rothschilds’ legacy goes beyond finance, encompassing cultural, philanthropic, and art-related contributions.

Men beginning the construction of the Manor

Waddesdon Manor showcases their influence through institutions, estates, and collections reflecting their wealth and contributions. The estate blends French château-style with English countryside charm, making it a unique and enchanting destination. Its history weaves art, culture, and the Rothschilds’ legacy, creating a rich tapestry of stories and heritage, a true gem to discover.

The decorated interiors, new light projections on the Manor façade, the glittering light trail in the gardens speak class and wealth, and the return of the Christmas fair, creating a lifetime of unending love, peace and fun, exploring the stunning decorations around the estate and having the Sleeping Beauty’s experience.

The house hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibitions, garden tours, wine tastings, and seasonal festivities like Christmas markets and light displays.

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