Will Haddadi previews some of this summer’s more unusual events at the grand Waddesdon Manor

World-class art, stargazing and fiery chillies. When it comes to a summer fun, nobody does it like Waddesdon Manor.

The 19th-century National Trust property, ancestral home of the Rothschild family, is hosting five weeks of events and activities beginning this week. Called Summer Fun, it offers a diverse range of events.

One of the most intriguing to art-lovers is an exhibition by Kate Malone.

“She is one of the UK’s leading ceramic artists and an expert judge on the BBC series The Great Pottery Throw Down”, says the manor’s Catherine Conisbee.

Malone’s exhibition Inspired by Waddesdon is on show in The Coach House Gallery at The Stables, until October. “She has created a collection of new work reflecting the gardens and collections at Waddesdon,” says Catherine.

Summer Fun also features an open air theatre and outside cinema on the north front lawn. The outside cinema will be showing films such as Romeo and Juliet and Breakfast at Tiffany’s while Shakespeare’s sparkling, battle-of-the-sexes comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, graces the open-air theatre.

Catherine says: “Families are advised to bring a chair and a picnic and spend a glorious summer’s evening watching this funny, moving and fast-paced production of one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies.”

For those who prefer celestial stars rather than the movie version, there is a stargazing event on August 11. Catherine says: “It will start with drinks out on the beautiful Parterre, followed by a two-course dinner in the Manor restaurant. Then budding astronomers will attend a lecture by local expert, Dr Sandy Giles before joining the Wycombe Astronomical Society for stargazing back out on the Parterre”.

A quirkier attraction is Mimi’s European Adventures, a week-by-week event which Catherine says, is “designed to be both fun and informative”. It focuses on the various countries in which the Rothschilds settled, with weeks dedicated to Italy, Austria, France, Germany and England – each teaching children about the culture while incorporating activities such as ice-cream making, wall climbing and croquet lessons from experts.

The educational side of Waddesdon continues with special children’s tours of the house. Catherine says: “These are areas that no adults are allowed. Children will have the opportunity to be a guest of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and discover what life was like at a 19th-century house party. They will also get the opportunity to see Waddesdon’s incredible elephant automaton in action.”

And if younger guests seek more energetic distractions, there’s a woodland playground with a bird’s nest swing, giant slide and zip wire.

Summer ends in spicy fashion with the 10th annual Chilli Festival on September 3 and 4, with more than 50 handpicked exhibitors exhibiting everything from jams and pastes to chilli beers and chocolate – and, of course, stalls offering refreshing drinks and cooling frozen yoghurt and ice-creams.

Catherine says, there’s something for everyone at the stately home. “Whether you are coming for a picnic and a stroll around our beautiful gardens, taking part in our summer activities, or are attending one of our events, there’s plenty on offer to keep the whole family entertained at Waddesdon this summer.”

* Summer Fun takes place at Waddesdon Manor, between Bicester and Aylesbury, throughout the summer. Go to waddesdon.org.uk