Wishing everyone a very Happy 2010! This is a special year for Waltham Place as we are celebrating one hundred years of the Oppenheimer Family residing here, and we will have a programme of events that look at the different themes which have been significant during the family's time here.
Next Seasonal Walks- Snowdrops, Saturday 30th January and Thursday 18th February. Book via the Estate Office-01628 825517.
NEW for 2010!! NGS Open Day on Sunday 30th May. There afterwards, NGS open day Friday 10am-4pm June to September.
ABOUT US•
Waltham Place is a privately owned estate open to the public. It is situated approximately 35 miles to the west of London at White Waltham, near Maidenhead in Berkshire. Its 170 acres set on undulating clay countryside is at the edge of the chalk belt. About 100 acres are devoted to farming where permanent pastures, arable fields and orchards intermingle with areas of park- and woodlands. The ornamental gardens and the kitchen garden are found close to the main buildings.
PHILOSOPHY •
It is hoped that today’s visitor will appreciate that an oasis has been created and is maintained based on sound agricultural, environmental, food processing and social principles. This vision has not been achieved overnight: it has been realised through the understanding that organic husbandry needs to coexist with the natural systems already in place, thereby fostering a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. Self-sufficiency has become reality. A growing delight in nature exudes and much is done to protect and encourage wildlife.
HISTORY •
White Waltham. The name Waltham derives from Weald (woodland) and Ham (enclosure) and is associated with early Saxon forest clearance between the years AD 450-550. “The element Weald became Walt by the 11th century, and a study of other Waltham names indicates that they were usually administrative centres associated with royalty and hunting, in this case the royal estate and forest belonging to the castle and Palace at Windsor.” (From the book Waltham Place and its surrounding Parish by Luke Over and Nicky Oppenheimer, 2001) White is presumed to allude to the fact that the parish stands on the edge of the chalk.
A Manor House has stood on the present site for the last thousand years, housing many distinguished owners including Turold, designer of the Bayeux Tapestry, and the first Windsor dynasty. The Oppenheimer family have resided here since 1910 and the present occupiers Nicky and Strilli Oppenheimer,the family members who currently reside there, are staunch believers in organic husbandry in all its facets.
