Kathryn Hobbs of Waddesdon Manor on the revival of the old Feast Weekend

A feast for all the senses awaits at Waddesdon Manor this weekend.

When making plans for our events programme for the year, the team decided 2015 was the time to offer a new outdoor event in the summer months. The idea that we kept coming back to was that of a food festival. The Manor has always been synonymous with entertaining, food and drink.

In fact, the very reason it exists at all is down to Baron Ferdinand’s vision of a party house where he could display his collection of art treasures and entertain the great and the good of Victorian society at his infamous “Saturday to Monday parties”.

Not all of his guests were of fame and fortune. Going back through the archives, we found many references to the annual garden party Baron Ferdinand would host in the grounds of the Manor for local families. Affectionately referred to as “The Baron’s Treat”, those attending would enjoy rides, games and races with prizes, dancing, and a Punch and Judy show, along with music from the local military band. The event continued long after Baron Ferdinand’s death until the summer of 1914.

And so the Feast Weekend was born. From here, we got creative with ideas that would really link the event with Waddesdon. Drawing inspiration from the black and white photographs unearthed in the archive, we decided to transform the North Lawn of the Manor with a long decorated table, where visitors could be encouraged to take a seat.

Here, they can enjoy delicious treats from the handpicked food producers and suppliers brought in especially for the weekend or simply bring along a picnic and be entertained by a range of unusual performances, each with its own connection to Waddesdon and its former visitors.

Plans began to bring tennis back to the North Front, which was another activity caught in time through our carefully-kept photographic records. The Prince of Wales was photographed on many occasions enjoying a game of tennis on the North Lawn at Waddesdon, where a court was marked out on the grass.

Drawing inspiration from the Punch and Judy shows that were so well received as part of the “Baron’s Treat”, various ideas for puppet shows to entertain the younger members of our audience have been explored. Bit by bit, the entertainment programme has come together and the event has taken shape and become unique to Waddesdon and its heritage.

Food and the enjoyment of indulging the senses was a big part of our vision for the event. The idea of offering visitors the chance to be experimental and try something new brought us to discover “Root Camp” and their cookery school initiatives for young people. We are delighted to be able to work with them to offer some fun free cooking workshops for 14-21-year-olds with celebrity chef Valentine Warner and Oliver Rowe attending over the Feast Weekend.

We hope you are able to join us for the first Feast Weekend. It promises to be an amazing experience packed full of highlights for visitors of all generations. Step into a different world for the day, be our guest and enjoy all the pleasures that Waddesdon has to offer – see you there.

* Feast Weekend June 20-21, 10am – 5pm each day. For more information and to book tickets in advance see waddesdon.org.uk.