The Christmas decorations and events at the Rothschild’s Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire are legendary. Recently, to prepare, the dedicated stewards, housekeepers and specialists closed up for winter and started the arduous process of ‘putting the house to bed’.
In cleaning and packing away many of the artworks in preparation for annual conservation work, their practice stems from Miss Alice’s Rules, housekeeping standards introduced by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s sister, Alice, in the early 20th century.
‘Until 2003, Christmas wasn’t a big affair here,’ explains the busy head steward Jane Finch.
‘We used to close for five months, allowing a team of 15 housekeepers several weeks to pack the collection away for vital conservation and cleaning. Today, we welcome about 190,000 visitors during the festive period, which means processes have to be much more streamlined.'
‘We now pack up the house in two days, then set about transforming the interiors with 13 Christmas trees, 3,000 baubles and 30,000 pea lights,' adds Jane.
‘Christmas at Waddesdon’ runs from November 16 to January 5, 2020, and, this year, will include its longest-ever Winter Light trail in the grounds. Visit www.waddesdon.org.uk for further information.
Waddesdon Manor, via the medium of gingerbread
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