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Audley End House And Gardens
Audley End House And Gardens, Essex
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Audley End has its origins in Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries during the Reformation. During this immense upheaval, Henry VIII changed the official religion of England from Catholicism to Protestantism. With all Catholic monasteries passing to crown ownership, 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 I. 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 Charles II 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 Britain.
The interior of Audley End 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.
The grounds were modelled by Capability Brown. There is a recreated Victorian kitchen garden, the produce of which is sold at the estate shop.
Opening Times: opening hours for English Heritage properties are complex. Please use contact details below.
Guided historical tours are available.
Directions: Audley End is one mile west of Saffron Walden on the B1383 in Essex. Click here for an interactive map centred on Audley End.
Address: Audley End, Essex CB11 4JF
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:
telephone: 01799 522842
web site: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/audley-end-house-and-gardens/