Wonderful weather always helps but I think a trip to the National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor would be a treat even under grey skies. This country retreat, built in the style of a Loire château, has rooms filled with delicately painted Sévres porcelain while in the the coach house you’ll find a restored Roman mosaic from Lod, Israel (until 2nd November). There are treasures at every turn including The Royal Spectacle, an exhibition of beautiful illustrated books published to mark court festivities, celebrations and spectacles. They offer a glimpse into the French Court's lavish lifestyle and their love of elaborate meals, richly costumed processions, equestrian tournaments and theatre performances. Lunch in the stableyard wasn’t quite le service à la française but the scones were excellent...
www.waddesdon.org.uk, visit Selvedge’s pinterest account to see more images from The Royal Spectacle, www.pinterest.com/selvedge