Following on from my earlier blogpost, while staying in Bicester we paid a visit to Waddesdon Manor. We had visited Waddesdon on two previous occasions: the first time when our youngest daughter was married at the Dairy, and, the second time, when we were passing and needed refreshments/facilities at this National Trust property. The second occasion turned out to be very brief after we turned around in the car park when we discovered the facilities were a shuttle bus ride away (or a 20-30 minute walk).
As National Trust Members, we have free entry to the house & grounds but on this occasion paid an extra £6 per head to attend the Chilli Festival held in the grounds.
Photo 2: Chilli Festival, Waddesdon Manor (1st September 2024)
There were lots of stalls selling various chilli-containing products (tea, cheese, seeds & nuts, sauces, jams, pickles, ice cream, etc), chilli plants and more. Most, if not all, products could be tasted before buying (or not). Plus a large selection of hot (as in temperature) and cold food emporiums catering for the many hungry customers.
Music and entertainment was provided throughout the afternoon including the infamous chilli eating competition where eight brave (or, possibly, foolish) men and women work their way through increasingly hotter chillies (Photo 3). The winner is the last man/women standing - sick bags and milk drinks are provided though you are immediately disqualified if you use either!
Photo 3: Chilli Eating Competition
The Scoville Scale is used to classify the pungency (heat) of chilli peppers. I grow Jalapeno peppers in my polytunnel using a QuadGrow Veg/Salad Planter.
Photo 4: Home-Grown Jalapeno Chilli Peppers
These chillies are rated somewhere between 2500 and 8000 on the Scoville Scale. Out of the 10 types of chilli used in the chilli eating competition, Jalopeno was, I think, the 9th hottest with a Scoville rating of 2500 - 8000. From memory, in second spot was the Californian Reaper, rated at over 2,000,000 on the Scoville Scale, and nobody except the winner could get pass this one.
The Bubble Wizard was a popular attraction especially for the children ...
Video 1: The Bubble Wizard
Video 2: The Bubble Wizard
Video 3: The Bubble Wizard
And for the older visitors, a chance to look round the magnificent gardens ...
Photo 8: 'Flights of Fancy', Waddesdon Manor (September 2024)
Photo 9: 'Flights of Fancy', Waddesdon Manor (September 2024)
... linked to established Aviary at Waddesdon ...
Photo 10: Aviary at Waddesdon (September 2024)
We only had time for a short walk round the pleasure gardens where you can see the Elephant Family ...
Photo 11: Life-sized Indian Elephant Sculptures
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.. with no time to visit the extensive parkland ...
Photo 12: Parkland at Waddesdon
We both enjoyed our visit to Waddesdon Manor and hope to return sometime soon. We still have to do the house tour and many of the walks or attend one of the many events.
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