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Claydon House, Buckinghamshire

Claydon House, built between 1757 and 1771 by the 2nd Earl Verney, was originally a huge house of which only the west wing survives today. Verney had extravagant tastes. He hired leading woodworkers of the day, to reproduce in a peculiarly eccentric English manner an ornate continental Rococo style of decoration. Ironically just as Verney was bankrupting himself making his fantastical house, the style of decoration he used was coming to an end in its natural home on the continent. The political atmosphere was changing. 1773 saw Catherine II of Russia replacing gilding on the Rococo extravaganza of the Catherine Palace with drab olive paint. Rococo was seen as a a symbol of decadent aristocracy against which the forces of revolution were gathering. Verney it seemed aspired to a grandness that was out of date, and beyond him. He spent his last years on the continent trying to escape his creditors. It was Verney's niece, Mary Verney, a far more sober character, who inherited the house in 1792. She decided to pull down most of the house to produce a building of more manageable size. In France revolution had begun, and the world celebrated by Earl Verney was passing away.

During the nineteenth century Florence Nightingale was a regular visitor to Claydon. This idealistic career woman provides an ironic contrast with the old world celebrated in the house. Harry Verney had asked Florence to marry him, only to be turned down. Harry did not take his rejection personally. He supported Florence's famous career, and married her sister. Florence was also welcome to stay at Claydon, and would do so for months at a time, in her own suite of rooms. Florence Nightingale's bedroom has been recreated in the present house. It sits right next door to the Chinese Room, the most ornate and exuberantly Rococo room in the house.

Although Florence Nightingale is the most famous historical figure to be associated with Claydon, the Verney family have kept letters and records going back for generations. These reveal many small, yet fascinating details of history. A selection of letters and documents is on display in the house, the selection changing periodically. When I visited letters relating to the time of the English Civil War were available to view.

Claydon House was used as a location for the film Emma.

There is a shop and a restaurant.

 

Directions: Claydon is four miles south west of Winslow in Buckinghamshire. The house is signposted from the A41, the A421 and A413. Click here for an interactive map centred on Claydon House.

Opening Times: opening hours for National Trust properties can be complex. Please use contact details below.

Address: Claydon House, Middle Claydon, near Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 2EY

Access: There are four steps to the entrance. The grounds are undulating with gravel paths. There is an accessible route.

Contact:

telephone: 01494 755561

e-mail: claydon@nationaltrust.org.uk

website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-claydonhouse.htm