More than 13,500 local children help bring Christmas to life at Waddesdon Manor
This festive season, Waddesdon Manor invites visitors to step into the enchanting world of "Sounds of the Season", a community art display created by over 13,500 local children from 74 schools across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Presented in the Coach House Gallery at The Stables, this immersive walk-through installation celebrates festive music, song and sound through a vibrant array of imaginative artworks, alongside original recordings created by pupils from Waddesdon C of E School.
Guided by Waddesdon Manor’s Learning Team and a supported by a host of professional artists, children aged 2 to 18+ have collaborated on this ambitious project. The installation brings classic festive music to life – from traditional carols to seasonal musical stories and tales – with inspiration ranging from WHAM’s Last Christmas and Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and In the Bleak Midwinter.
Highlights of the installation include a moving recording of Little Donkey performed in British Sign Language by Aylesbury Vale Academy Primary, a charming automaton illustrating the carol I Saw Three Ships, engineered by Design and Technology students, and a series of large-scale sculptures, including a willow reindeer and sleigh and a green man figure from XX folklore formed from leaves made using recycled tin cans.
Waddesdon Manor’s Learning Team, supported by talented local artists, worked with schools and community groups across the region through a mix of in-person workshops and online sessions to bring this large-scale project to life. Preparations began in July, with workshops taking place throughout August, September and October.
Sarah Dewberry, Head of Learning at Waddesdon Manor, said: “We are delighted that so many local schools and community groups participated in our Christmas display this year. Every year, the creativity shown by local young people is incredible, and we hope their work will raise a smile for all our visitors”.
More Christmas Magic at Waddesdon:
"Sounds of the Season" is part of the wider Christmas at Waddesdon experience for 2025.
For detailed information on opening times, ticket prices and booking, visit: www.waddesdon.org.uk/christmas.