Itinerary of the Month
Explore East of England with English Heritage
Day 1:
Half day visit to Audley End House & Gardens.
Audley End was built on the scale of a royal palace and with over 30 lavish rooms is still one of England’s most magnificent stately homes.
Not far from Cambridge, the palatial Audley End House has wonderful interiors containing a famous picture collection including works by Holbein, Canaletto, Lely and Kneller. Also on display are magnificent classic interiors by Robert Adam and a host of novelties including a Doll’s House and an extensive Victorian natural history collection. Visit the recently opened Service Wing, the working heart of this grand country house, and get caught up in life “below stairs” as you explore the kitchen, scullery, dairy and laundries.
Outside the exquisite pastoral parkland designed by “Capability” Brown with unique Robert Adam designed garden buildings is the perfect place to relax. A cascade can be found in the Elysian garden, while a recently restored 19th century parterre with elaborately designed flowerbeds adds a touch of formality at the back of the house. With its box-edged paths, trained fruit and a 170-foot long vine house, the thriving organic walled Kitchen Garden has been restored to how it was in its Victorian hey-day.
Day 2:
Half-day visit to Kirby Hall:
Experience one of the most outstanding stone-built Elizabethan mansions in England. View the building’s unusually strict symmetry and amazing Renaissance detail.
Stroll through beautiful formal gardens that gained a reputation in the 17th century as being the finest in England! Here peacocks roam free, and the gardens now contain a fine parterre with topiary. Kirby Hall was the set for the filming of Jane Austen’s “Mansfield Park” released in 2000. An audio tour recounts the history of the site – its decline and fall, and its connection with Sir Francis Drake!
Afternoon visit to Wrest Park:
Relying not only on extensive views but on revelation and mystery Wrest, delights the visitor with surprises at every turn. Explore the ornate garden buildings including the magnificent Baroque pleasure pavilion, the Orangery and Bath House and admire the wonderful collection of lead and stone statues. With over 90 acres to explore, the unique mix of open space and sheltered woodland walks are complimented by reflective expanses of water. Discover for yourself an endless selection of walks, picnic areas and places to explore, or simply sit back, relax and dream of days gone by.
Day 3:
Morning visit to Castle Acre Priory:
Explore Britain’s best preserved Cluniac priory at the far end of the village. Stroll around the romantic priory ruins or take an audio tour and hear all about the daily lives of the monks – visit the cloister, refectory and chapter house and admire the priory’s superb Norman façade which still rises to its original height. Wander through the recreated medieval herb garden and then explore the earthworks of Castle Acre Castle nearby.
Early afternoon visit to Great Yarmouth Row Houses:
Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of the Great Yarmouth of yesteryear. Find out how Yarmouth’s ‘Herring Girls’ lived and worked and see the amazing collection of artefacts rescued from the Rows after World War II bombing – including fireplaces, wall anchors and door knockers! Hear an original BBC Wartime Broadcast and ‘Mr Rope’s sea shanties and contrast tenement conditions with ’respectable’ Merchant’s quarters.
Day 4:
Drive to the lovely Suffolk Coast for a visit to Orford Castle:
Visit the great keep of Henry II with its three huge towers and commanding views. Climb the spiral staircase leading to a maze of rooms and passageways. Take the audio tour and hear the tale of the Orford Merman - a legendary man of the sea who was imprisoned in the castle before escaping.
Enjoy lunch in the charming village of Orford before continuing to: Framlingham Castle:
Framlingham Castle is a magnificent 12th-century castle that dominates its beautiful surroundings. With its thirteen towers still in tact, it looks from the outside, as it would have 800 years ago. It was here that Mary Tudor waited to hear whether she or Lady Grey had been declared Queen after the death of Edward VI.
Check back in December for an inspiring tour of Kent.
