One of the biggest, boldest, most majestic landmarks in the south east has its eye on the little people.

Just a short trip away towards Aylesbury is the jaw-droppingly beautiful Waddesdon Manor. Built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild from 1877 (to display his stonking collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world), this is an imposing, beautiful Natonal Trust treasure. This summer, the manor has been a sizzling hotbed of entertainment whatever your taste, from events for foodies and history buffs to horticultural to community music highlights. And what’s more, there’s plenty of family fun still to be had.

If you’ve never been to Waddesdon, there’s still time to enjoy summer’s family workshops and children go free to the house and gardens for the rest of the month. Having grown up in nearby Bucks, I first encountered Waddesdon Manor at a family party for my grandmother’s 70th. Every tourist’s dream, the architecture and pleasure gardens are a sight to behold but it’s the events that really pack a punch (the Bruce Munro light exhibition, on until October, is well worth popping into). The following are well worth a visit.

Today (11am–3pm), make the most of another Wild Wednesday. Complete the treasure hunt using the environment around you and solve clues to find treasure – ideal for children aged four-11, £2 each. Today also hosts a Children’s Tour of the House with a fantastic opportunity for the family to experience the house through a children’s eye view with the friendly stewards (today and next Wednesday, 11.15am-noon – call 01296 653226 to book).

Storytelling at The Amphitheatre will feature a free drop-in sessions of much-loved Handa’s Surprise on Monday (August 26) (10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm.

And, make the most of outdoor theatre Wind in the Willows with Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production next Wednesday (5.30pm for 6pm, £12 adult, £9 child under-threes free.). Alive with music, song and dance, this magical show is presented in beautiful traditional costume and features a woodland parade during the interval for everyone to join in. Take a picnic and soak up the splendour of the grounds.

Next Wednesday’s Wild Wednesday will focus on Natural Crafts (11am–3pm) – a creative session all about environmental artwork. What can you create from the natural materials around you? And, on Friday, August 30, Creative Calligraphy for Children is a new addition in The Power House (11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm). Young creatives can make an illuminated letter using traditional materials and equipment. Each letter will be decorated with egg tempera paints, quills or reed pens and ink. You will even be able to make your own paint. (£5 per child, ideal for children aged seven to 12, but do book as this will get full). Year-round, the manor’s woodland playground is a great shady spot for jumping, running, swinging and playing in. Have a go at hunting for bugs or building a tall stick tower, or see if you can balance on our wood stepping stones. New woodland trails are available in the shop!

There’s the aviary with its colourful collection of exotic birds, including a breeding pair of Rothschild Mynahs, now extinct in the wild.

The Stables toy and sweet shop (if they’ve been good) is also a delight, full of good old-fashioned confectionery, traditional toys, books and games, many at pocket money prices.

And, you can stop for lunch at Stables Café, complete with a hearty, healthy children’s menu.

Plenty more manor fun to be squeezed out before the end of the holidays!

WHEN: All summer WHERE: Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury, HP18 0JH CALL: 01296 653226