Category: National Trust

West Wycombe Park, Bucks

National Trust
Visited c.2005, revisited 2024
Extensive and attractive grounds with large lake and follies. The house interior has a number of opulent rooms on the ground floor with painted ceilings, fine furniture, paintings, and objets d’art. Note that the opening dates and hours are rather restricted. Suggested visit time 2hrs. No imaging permitted inside the house.
The estate was owned by the Dashwoods, one of whom was a founder-member of the Hellfire Club, whose naughty activities were no doubt exaggerated by political opponents.
Village, Hill, Church, Mausoleum, and Caves (not NT) are nearby if you have a whole day.

Entrance front
North Front
Park
East Front
South Front
Frescoes above south porch
View across lake
Island temple

 

West Wycombe Village and Hill

National Trust. Visited. C.2005 The village main street is lined with old cottages and inns of architectural interest.
You can drive to the top of the hill if a steep and lengthy climb does not appeal. On top of the hill are the church with the golden ball on top of it (not NT), and beyond it the Dashwood Mausoleum (not NT) Both are well worth a visit.
The Mausoleum is a large and striking affair. The interior can be mostly seen from the churchyard, but a better view can be found by walking around the outside of the churchyard to reach the Mausoleum entrance with its gate and classical pillars. The interior walls are lined with niches containing funerary urns. Revisited August 2024

Church
Mausoleum
Mausoleum