Name: Audley End House and Gardens
Address: Off London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF
Telephone: 01799 522842

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Audley End House and Gardens

Get Hands on with History Sat 15 - Sun 23 Feb 2020

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Explore our seasonal grounds

Find out more

Meet the staff

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See full prices and opening times

Address

Off London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Admire the interiors of what was once one of the largest and most opulent houses in Jacobean England. Wander around our spacious grounds and admire the glorious gardens designed by Capability Brown, including our beautifully restored parterre and organic kitchen gardens. Take a stroll over to the stable yard and meet our friendly horses before topping up your energy with a delicious treat in the cafe.

Things to See and Do

What's On

Be a Groom for a Day at Audley End

Sun 22 Mar 10.30am–5pm
Easter Adventure Quest at Audley End

Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr 10am - 6pm
Bringing Audley End to Life

Sat 2 - Sun 3 May 2020 11am - 5pm
Bringing Audley End to Life

Sat 9 - Sun 10 May 2020 11am - 5pm
Stables Weekend: Horse, Hawk and High Society

Sat 16 - Sun 17 May 2020 11am - 5pm
Bringing Audley End to Life

Sat 23 - Sun 24 May 2020 11am - 5pm
Get Hands on with History - Medicines and Miracles

Sat 23 - Sun 31 May 10am - 6pm
Bringing Audley End to Life

Sat 30 - Sun 31 May 2020 11am - 5pm
GCE Heritage Live: Van Morrison plus very special guests The Waterboys

Sat 15 Aug 2020 Gates will open at 4pm and the performance will end at 10.30pm

Audley End Timeline

1139De Mandeville Family

Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex, founds a Benedictine priory at Walden, which becomes Walden Abbey in 1190.

1538From Abbey to Mansion

The abbey is suppressed by Henry VIII and granted to Sir Thomas Audley, Lord Chancellor. He transforms the abbey buildings into a mansion.

Find out more about Audley End's history

1605-14Jacobean House

Audley's grandson Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, rebuilds the house, making it the largest private residence of its day.

1667-8In Royal Hands

Charles II buys Audley End, which is handy for the Newmarket races. The Earls of Suffolk become keepers of the new palace.

1701-25The House in Decline

The house is returned to the Howards, and gradually reduced in scale to make it more manageable. By 1725 only the inner court remains.

1751Rescued from Decay

Elizabeth, Countess of Portsmouth, inherits part of the estate, and buys the house from Lord Howard of Effingham. She saves it from decay and reduces the house even more, demolishing the east range.

1762Modernisation

Elizabeth's nephew Sir John Griffin Griffin, a professional soldier, inherits. He employs Robert Adam to modernise the house and 'Capability' Brown to remodel the gardens and park.

1784State Apartments

Sir John becomes 4th Baron Howard de Walden and creates state apartments, taking a leading role in their design together with his wife, an accomplished decorator.

Read a description of Audley End

1825Restoring the House

Richard Neville, 3rd Baron Braybrooke, inherits. He remodels the house to restore its Jacobean character, and publishes a history of Audley End in 1836.

1858Natural History Collection

When the 4th Lord Braybrooke inherits, he begins to redisplay his extensive natural history collections at Audley End, where they remain today.

1904Edwardian Parties

The house is let to Thomas Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden, who enlivens it with great parties.

1912A Family Home

After Ellis and his wife leave, convinced that the house is haunted, the 7th Lord Braybrooke returns to Audley End and it becomes a family home once more.

1941-4Wartime Secrets

After the 7th Lord Braybrooke's death, Polish soldiers of the Special Operations Executive secretly train here, preparing to be parachuted into German-occupied Poland.

1948Secured for the Nation

The 9th Lord Braybrooke sells Audley End to the nation for £30,000, leaving the pictures and furnishings on loan.

See highlights from the collections at Audley End

1984-New Interpretation

English Heritage takes over guardianship. Recent restoration has focused on the kitchen wing, stables and Braybrooke nursery suite.

Learn more about the history of Audley End

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Prior's Hall Barn
3.99 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
Duxford Chapel
6.26 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum
18.9 miles from Audley End House and Gardens

Hill Hall
23.99 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
Houghton House
30.27 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
Old Gorhambury House
31.85 miles from Audley End House and Gardens

Nearby Places
- Prior's Hall Barn
  3.99 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
- Duxford Chapel
  6.26 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
- Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum
  18.9 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
Similar Places
- Hill Hall
  23.99 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
- Houghton House
  30.27 miles from Audley End House and Gardens
- Old Gorhambury House
  31.85 miles from Audley End House and Gardens

Gallery for Audley End House and Gardens

Get Hands on with History Sat 15 - Sun 23 Feb 2020

Explore our seasonal grounds

Meet the staff

Things to See and Do

Explore our Mansion House

Play in our Victorian Nursery

Discover the Life of a Victorian Servant

Gallop over to our Victorian Stable Yard

Enjoy our Glorious Gardens

Feeling Peckish?

Let off Steam

What's On

Be a Groom for a Day at Audley End

Easter Adventure Quest at Audley End

Bringing Audley End to Life

Bringing Audley End to Life

Stables Weekend: Horse, Hawk and High Society

Bringing Audley End to Life

Get Hands on with History - Medicines and Miracles

Bringing Audley End to Life

GCE Heritage Live: Van Morrison plus very special guests The Waterboys

Guidebook: Audley End

Audley End Timeline

1139De Mandeville Family

1538From Abbey to Mansion

1605-14Jacobean House

1667-8In Royal Hands

1701-25The House in Decline

1751Rescued from Decay

1762Modernisation

1784State Apartments

1825Restoring the House

1858Natural History Collection

1904Edwardian Parties

1912A Family Home

1941-4Wartime Secrets

1948Secured for the Nation

1984-New Interpretation

Prior's Hall Barn

Duxford Chapel

Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum

Prior's Hall Barn

Duxford Chapel

Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum

Hill Hall

Houghton House

Old Gorhambury House

Gallery for Audley End House and Gardens

HOLIDAY IN THE HEART OF ENGLISH HISTORY

Collect History In Miniature

CART YARD CAFÉ AT AUDLEY END HOUSE

UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OVER 400 HISTORIC PLACES

FREE ENTRY FOR UP TO SIX CHILDREN

FREE HANDBOOK TO PLAN INSPIRING DAYS OUT, WORTH £10.95

FREE OR REDUCED ENTRY TO OUR EXCITING EVENTS