hiya bucks Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Missenden September 2016 | Page 2

HALTON HOUSE OPEN DAY
SUNDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2016

1000 - 1600

ʻSpitfire over Halton Houseʼ
reproduced by kind permission of
Michael Turner ©

Commissioned by Alfred Rothschild to emulate and compete with the other Rothschild family residences in
Buckinghamshire, Halton House was completed in 1883 and for 30 years provided the venue for his sparkling weekend
house parties. These attracted the cream of British society, stars of the theatre and Royalty. On Alfredʼs death in 1918,
the house and estate were acquired by the fledging Royal Air Force and has served as the Officersʼ Mess ever since.
On Sunday, 11th September 2016 the House will be open to the public in a rare opportunity to see inside this spectacular
reminder of Victorian decorative taste. Our team of volunteer guides, many of them serving RAF personnel, will be on
hand to elaborate on the history of Halton House both in the Rothschild era and while in the RAFʼs hands.
A shuttle bus will run between the House, the Stationʼs Trenchard Museum and the James McCudden Flight Heritage
Centre. These tell the history of the RAF Station, the RAFʼs Apprentice Scheme and Infantry Training in WWI.
Halton House has been used extensively for filming and in 2013, scenes from the Poirot TV production ʻThe Labours
of Herculesʼ, and the TV programme ʻLucanʼ were filmed here. It was also used to film ʻThe Queenʼ, the highly
acclaimed ʻThe Kingʼs Speechʼ and some scenes from ʻDownton Abbeyʼ.
Plentiful parking is available. Disabled access is very limited and the House has no disabled toilets.
Refreshments and souvenirs will be on sale.
Further details will appear nearer the date on the website for RAF Halton. (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafhalton/)
Halton House Officersʼ Mess, RAF Halton, Wendover, Buckinghamshire. HP22 5WQ