Oxford Photo Gallery - Nuffield Place

Lord Nuffield's modest home east of Wallingford contrasts against his enormous wealth that started from the Morris Motor Company. William Morris became an apprentice at an Oxford bicycle shop and built his own bicycle repair business shortly after. He started manufacturing motorcycles in 1903 and progressed to motor cars in 1912. Nuffield Place was his home from 1933 until he passed away in 1963. They lived a very frugal life despite being extremely wealthy, which is reflected by the decor and simplicity inside the home. The guided tour would reveal a lot more about their lives here. Lord Nuffield bought a Wolseley Eight for his wife's birthday in 1939, which is the first item on display when walking into the site from the car park. It was a reasonably cheap car to buy at the time, and she regularly used it to drive to Wallingford. The house and gardens are free for National Trust members. During the morning, staff run small group tours inside the house, while visitors can roam around on their own after lunch. 2 special historic cars were parked at the tour entrance for the occasion. Lord Nuffield had this large extension built to entertain his guests with a huge pool table and even a bathroom by the side so he won't disturb his wife in the main house. The main house seems frozen in time. After Lord Nuffield died, his home was given to Nuffield College in Oxford, which he founded, who eventually passed it to the National Trust. He even had a tools workshop embedded in one of his bedroom cupboards. Lord Nuffield was a big philantrophist, giving away some 30 million pounds during his lifetime, the equivalent of over 10 billion pounds today. These included iron lungs for polio victims, one of which is on display at the end of the tour.