Break out the rations, pin up those victory curls and join in the celebrations of Second World War secrets and stories at National Trust’s Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe in September.

The fabulous Wartime Weekend, is set to be bigger than ever as Hughenden’s popular forties experience returns on 12 and 13 September 2015.

Visitors can look forward to music and songs of the era by The Spitfires, Ricky Hunter and our new forces sweetheart Miss Marina Mae. There’ll also be opportunities to step into the past with dancing lessons, a forties hair-do or perhaps someone in the family will join the Home Guard recruits?

Inspired by its own wartime secrets, Hughenden Manor offers an exciting backdrop for history to come to life. Hidden away in the woods, the home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli became an RAF Intelligence base in 1941 with the codename ‘Hillside’. Its operation was bomb target mapping. The work of the map-makers played a vital role in the successes of RAF campaigns. Their targets included the Ruhr Valley dams (aka the Dam Busters raid), bombing support for D-Day landings, as well as a hand in the sinking of the German battleship ‘Tirpitz’.

Due to its special link to RAF air raids, Hughenden Manor is delighted to be part of the commemorative flypast for the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain. Weather permitting, visitors will see the awesome sight of the famous Lancaster Bombers, Spitfires and Hurricanes roaring by overhead.

Live action will continue on the ground below with tactical displays, weapons firing and SAS escape techniques from dedicated re-enactors. Hughenden will also throw open its gates to The World War Two Living History Association. Beneath the trees German, American and British encampments will perform staged battles and educational displays. Their presence this year highlights the Allied achievements as well as giving a unique insight into the daily life of a Second World War soldier.

Visitors are warmly encouraged to dress up in forties style clothing for a seriously authentic experience. So shake out those civvies and tea dresses and polish up your uniform! The weekend will also include wartime Punch and Judy, ‘make do and mend’ classes, a fashion show and classic vehicles of the era.

The diversity of entertainment is set to be extraordinary. The creation of major historical programmes all over Britain is down to the spectacular work of Howard Giles, Managing Director of EventPlan, who has also crafted Hughenden’s Wartime Weekend since its conception 10 years ago. “This year promises to be tremendous fun! There really is something for everyone whether you’re 5 or 105.”

Hughenden Wartime Weekend 12/13 September 2015 for more details and to plan your weekend visit: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden/things-to-see-and-do/events/

  • Normal admission prices apply (£10 adults for House and Grounds, discounted rates for families and children). The event itself is free and will run from 10-5pm.
  • Those dressing up to high standards in period clothing are invited to free entry, but will need to pre-register with EventPlan first.
  • Any owners of WW2 era vehicles are also invited to add to the wartime spirit. – Pre-register for free entry with event plan.
  • Go to eventplan.co.uk to see latest updates for the weekend’s timetable.

If you’ve enjoyed your day at Hughenden, the National Trust’s Coleshill Estate in Oxfordshire is holding its own 1940s day the following weekend on Sunday 20 September. This is a chance to see what the 1940s was like in rural areas with wartime re-enactors, demonstrations, vintage military vehicles, access to Operational Bases, traditional building skills, rural crafts and local food and drink producers.

By Louisa Richardson

*photography courtesy redzebraphoto.co.uk