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General
Hughenden is most famous for its association with Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) who was Prime Minister during the reign of Queen Victoria. Disraeli made Hughenden Manor his retreat from the hustle and bustle of London. Today the manor is owned by the National Trust and is still furnished with Disraeli’s personal belongings and memorabilia.
The name is believed to derive from the Old English personal name Hycga (or Huhha or Hucca) and denu thus creating ‘Hyca's Valley’. The village is recorded in the Domesday Book as Huchedene. Over the years it has had numerous names including Hugenden, Hitchenden and Huchedene.
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Hughenden Manor
Hughenden Manor is said to be haunted by its former owner Benjamin Disraeli. Shortly after his death in 1881 his ghost made its first appearance and it has been seen numerous times since. That said the present members of staff at the house report nothing paranormal, except for the House Steward. It seems that sometimes when she opens the door to the Politician’s Room upstairs she senses a strong smell of perfume. Disraeli had been a dandy, always wearing cologne and using pomade in his hair, so is it he who is leaving the smell of scent?
At one time the house was visited by members of the Ghost Club and one member had wandered off by herself. As she stood in Disraeli’s study looking at a watercolour of Windsor castle she became aware of a movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning round she saw Disraeli, unmistakeable with his small goatee beard and dandified dress. He appeared to be completely unaware of her and then he vanished as other members of the club approached the room. That was not the only sighting that day. Just as the members were leaving one of them was on the stairs when he saw a figure that resembled Disraeli going down the stairs towards the hall. The figure moved without making a sound then simply vanished.
The stairs seem to be a popular haunt as the ghost has been seen there complete with papers in his hand. He has also been seen at the top of the cellar stairs and on the upper floors.
Hughenden Manor was purchased by Disraeli in 1847 when he had been elected as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire. During the time he and his wife lived there they would not permit any trees to be cut down and added numerous of their own. The Disraeli’s did much to embellish the house turning it from plain white Georgian into mid-Victorian Gothic. Disraeli’s wife died of cancer in 1872 and he lived on in the house alone. In March of 1881 he caught a chill when returning from a dinner party. This developed into bronchitis and he died on April 19th 1881. The house is now owned by the National Trust and still retains much of Disraeli’s furniture and books.
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