Hughendon Manor

As I was meeting up with an old friend based in Hertfordshire, with a car, in November, it was a question of finding somewhere to go in the northern home counties. A lot of places have shut for the season, but one NT place still open was Hughendon near High Wycombe.

This impressive pile is famous mostly as the home of Victorian politician and Queen Victoria favourite Benjamin Disraeli. It also had a short life as a map making facility during the war to produce maps for our bombers. The Disraeli connection is the most interesting of the two.

Architecturally it is a fine neo-gothic mansion, and while large, it still felt like a very well-designed home rather than a statement palace. It sits on a hill surrounded by woodland/gardens, which meant we could both enjoy the house, learn a bit of Victorian history & politics and get out for a decent walk.

I wouldn't mind a study like this

 The NT have discovered that a lot of folk like Christmas decorations on a somewhat grander scale than they can manage in their 20th century semis, so there was a lot of emphasis on Christmas. I have to admit, largely very tasteful.

 As noted above, there was a Christmas theme....