Audley End House.
A grand Jacobean mansion on the edge of Saffron Walden, surrounded by Capability Brown parkland, a working Victorian service wing and a thriving organic walled garden. Cared for by English Heritage, it's a full day out for all ages.
A little about Audley End House.
Built in the early 1600s by Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, Audley End was once one of the largest houses in England. It was grand enough to be bought by King Charles II as a royal palace for his visits to Newmarket races. Today you can explore lavish state rooms, including interiors designed by Robert Adam, filled with fine furniture, paintings and the collections of the families who lived here.
Step below stairs into the Victorian service wing, where the kitchen, dairy and laundry have been brought back to life just as they were in the 1880s, when the house was run by cook Mrs Crocombe and her staff. Outside, the stable yard shows how horses and grooms kept the estate moving.
The gardens are a highlight in every season. Stroll through sweeping parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, admire the formal parterre and visit the organic walled kitchen garden, still growing fruit and vegetables using traditional methods. Families can let off steam in the play area, and there's a café for lunch or tea and cake.
Please check the website for current opening times and ticket prices before you visit, as these change through the year.