Things to See and Do
There are plenty of things to see and do at Audley End House and within the extensive grounds. Here, we’ll give you info on some of the highlights of this so you can plan your day out.
Explore life below stairs in the service wing, meet the horses in the stable yard, take a stroll through acres of parkland, and run around in our children's play area.
Explore one of England's greatest mansion houses
Step inside the mansion house at Audley End and admire the interiors of one of the largest and most opulent houses in Jacobean England.
Learn the history of the site as you wander through the impressive great hall, magnificent state apartments, intimate dressing rooms and 18th-century gothic-style chapel. You can even take a seat and relax in the library or play your favourite piece on the piano.
Look out for the state bed, one of the most important surviving late 18th-century beds in the country, commissioned in anticipation of a royal visit in 1794.
And don’t forget to take a look at the Braybrooke’s unique natural history collection.
Enjoy the Glorious Gardens
Take a stroll around the idyllic gardens at Audley End to see the work of the influential ‘Capability’ Brown. Brown swept away the remnants of a declining formal garden to create extensive views, a serpentine lake, and more natural planting. Discover the elegant garden buildings, such as the bridge over the River Cam, which is the work of Robert Adam.
Don’t miss the beautifully restored parterre and our walled kitchen garden which is run entirely on organic principles.
Read more about the highlights of a visit to Audley End’s gardens here.
Wander acres of parkland
Perfect for a dog walk or a day out in the fresh air with the family, enjoy a stroll through acres of spacious parklands at Audley End.
Admire the stunning views of the Essex countryside while your little ones wear themselves out playing hide and seek and exploring the grounds. See if you can spot our mature tree collection, including a stunning Cedar of Lebanon next to the house, which was planted in 1762.
Learn about the lives of Victorian Servants
Experience a world of hierarchy, discipline, long hours and hard labour in the 1880s Service Wing and Coal Gallery of this bustling country estate.
Step back in time and wander through a world of ‘below stairs’ that was not intended to be seen as you discover what it would have been like to be a Victorian servant.
Gallop over to the Stable Yard
It’s time to horse around and say ‘hello’ to the friendly resident horses in the Victorian stable block.
Have a go at dressing up like Victorian stable workers and explore our interactive exhibition to find out the story of the estate at work and play.
You can even see the horses in action as they show off their skills in our riding displays throughout the day.
Play in our Nursery
Take a visit to our restored 1830s Nursery Wing where nothing is out of bounds!
Parents can relax and learn about the Braybrooke family while children can explore the indoor family play area - have fun with the toys and dress up as a Victorian child. You can even climb on the beds!
You can also explore the Coal Gallery to discover how the busy household staff would have kept the Braybrooke's bedrooms serviced with fresh linen, coal and hot water.
Enjoy the adventure playground
Children will love playing at Audley End’s unique play area, inspired by the property itself, with its very own mansion to climb and wooden horses to ride.
Our spacious grounds are also a great place for your little ones to let off steam in the fresh, countryside air.
Take a break
Top up your energy with a snack in the Cart Yard Cafe, or a more substantial meal in the Servant’s Hall Tea Room.
If you fancy buying a souvenir of your visit, head to the shop in the Visitor’s Centre. Here you can choose from the 'Victorian Gardens' range, as well as plus a wide range of souvenirs such as wines, books, jewellery, jams, regional food and products from Audley End’s very own organic garden.
Book lovers should also check out the secondhand bookshop in the Victorian Stables. Thank you! Every coffee, souvenir, book or kids’ treat you buy helps the charity continue to look after England’s heritage.