 Hughenden Manor
A very unassuming 18th century country house with no particularly
outstanding architectural features, but its rather ordinary external
shell contains an extraordinary insight into the life of Queen Victoria's
favourite Prime Minister. This was the home of Benjamin Disraeli from
1848 until his death 33 years later, and is now more of a museum representing
his political career.
Disraeli loved trees, and when he purchased the Hughenden estate he was delighted with the surrounding
landscape of woodlands, and the fact that his home was buried deep
in a secluded part of this lush valley in the Chilterns, yet only minutes
from High Wycombe. The estate can be traced back to Norman times, and
the house had been converted from a much earlier farmhouse, subsequently
gothicised by the previous owner, John Norris. In 1862 Edward Buckton
Lamb was commissioned to soften and 'romanticise' Hughenden Manor but
the typical Victorian restoration resulted in an extension of the gothic
style already introduced in the house during the 1840s. In an attempt
to break the flat, square starkness of the external façade, a parapet
of battlements and pinnacles were added, together with some unusual
brick features surrounding the windows. Mrs Disraeli concentrated her efforts
into reorganising the gardens, and they have been beautifully restored to her original designs.
After Disraeli's death, his nephew, who later inherited Hughenden Manor, extended the house, thoroughly
modernised it, and radically changed the layout of several rooms. Since
being left to the National Trust, Hughenden Manor is gradually being restored to
the mid-Victorian home that Benjamin and his wife had a deep affection
for, and contains much of their original furnishings. One of the most
atmospheric, and least altered, rooms is Disraeli's study. It was from
here that he conducted much of his political work, his personal correspondence,
wrote three novels, and towards the end of his life practically lived
in this one room.
His library was probably his favourite place, as books had always played a great part in his life,
and here he could relax and enjoy his vast collection of volumes. So strong
was his affinity with books that Disraeli even claimed to have been born
in a library. When Queen Victoria visited Hughenden Manor in 1877 Disraeli made
special arrangements to have the legs reduced in height on one of the
dining room chairs. A thoughtful touch, and one that shows a very human
understanding of the potential embarrassment that may have been caused
to his Royal friend, should her legs be allowed to swing about freely.
Apart from much personal memorabilia, there are an overwhelming number of portraits displayed throughout
the house showing family, literary friends, society colleagues and members
of the Royal Family. Disraeli began to assemble his 'Gallery of Friendship'
after his wife's death and wanted it to represent a pictorial history
of his life. From looking at some of the famous people portrayed, he clearly
succeeded in making his mark during the Victorian era, but they also show
that he was proud of his family and background. His wife described him
as a genius "whose whole soul is devoted to politics and ambition". He
may well have been, but he also truly loved his wife and his beautiful
home, spending as much time with both as his career allowed. |
