Buckinghamshire Heritage
Quainton Windmill
This tower mill is the tallest in Buckinghamshire, being 65ft to the top of the brickwork and another 8ft to the top of the Dome. The latter is a very early example of galvanised wrought ironwork. Construction of the mill started in 1830, by William Cooper, Millwrights of Aylesbury, whose accounts are deposited in the County Record Office. The bricks were dug and baked in a field adjoining during the years 1830-32, as shown by incised bricks. A steam engine was installed early in its life but was removed for scrap during the first World War. The mill was in use until around 1890. The Quainton Windmill Society was formed in 1974 with the objective of restoring the mill to working order. This was achieved in 1997, but unfortunately the new sails, some of which had been in the open for ten years, now began to deteriorate and themselves need restoring. The mill is still owned by a descendant of the original owner, James Anstiss.
Waddesdon Manor was built (1874-89) by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. On a hilltop overlooking the Aylesbury Vale, it is the last remaining complete example of 'le goût Rothschild'. The House combines the highest quality French furniture, textiles and decorative arts from the 18th century with magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Master paintings.
Waddesdon has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its Parterre, seasonal displays, colourful shrubs, mature trees, statues and carpet bedding. At its heart lies the Aviary, stocked with species that were once part of Baron Ferdinand's collection and other birds that are depicted on Waddesdon's famous Sèvres porcelain collection.The Manor is run by a family charitable trust chaired by the present Lord Rothschild. The Collection continues to grow, new features and displays are added to both House and Gardens and we offer a varied programme of events and activities. Almost 300,000 visitors were welcomed to Waddesdon last year.
Claydon House
Claydon House is situated in a most pleasant corner of North Buckinghamshire full of rural character and charming villages and hamlets.
