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Audley End House And Gardens

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Audley End has its origins in Henry the Eighth's dissolution of the monasteries during the Reformation. Thomas Audley was given Warden Abbey, and after some modification he used the buildings as his mansion. His grandson, Thomas the first Earl of Suffolk rebuilt the house between 1610 and 1614, during the reign of James the First. The Earl of Suffolk was Lord Treasurer to James, and the new house was fittingly palatial. But in 1618 Suffolk disgraced himself in an embezzlement scandal, which involved his wife taking bribes from the Spanish. In 1668, following the bleak years of the Civil War and Cromwell's rule, Charles the Second, bought the house and used its splendid accommodation when he was up from London to enjoy the horse racing at Newmarket. Parts of the house were demolished in the early eighteenth century but it remains one of the most impressive surviving Jacobean houses in the country.

The interior of the house today largely reflects the ownership of the third Baron Braybrook who inherited the house in 1825. He filled the house with pictures, and assembled a natural history collection. In this sense Audley End was an early museum. Museums as we know them today grew out of private collections such as that at Audley End. Go to the British Museum in London to see what happened to a gentleman's collection which made the next step to national institution.

The grounds were modelled by Capability Brown. There is a recreated Victorian kitchen garden, the produceof which is sold at the estate shop.

 

Opening Times: March 10am - 4pm weekends only, April1st to September 30th, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am - 5pm, closing at 3pm on Saturdays. During October 10am - 3pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday. From 16th November to 16th December 10am - 4pm weekends only. The gardens are open from 10am.

Guided historical tours are available during April, May, June and September.

Directions: Audley End is one mile west of Saffron Walden on the B1383. Click here for an interactive map centred on Audley End.

Access: wheelchair access to the ground level of the house,and to most of the grounds is good. There are adapted toilet facilities. Ring ahead to book disabled parking.

Contact:

phone: 01799 522399

web site: www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend