School Visits

School Visits

There’s so much to see and do during a school visit to Audley End. Let your pupils discover what life was like for the people who lived and worked in this noble 17th century mansion, complete with Victorian Service Wing, Nursery and Stables. Explore the extensive grounds and enjoy the award-winning gardens that were remodelled by Capability Brown.

Curriculum Links

This imposing 17th century mansion provides fabulous education opportunities for pupils. Key curriculum links include:

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS1-2 Science: Audley End House has a large expanse of formal gardens and parkland to explore. There is also a walled kitchen garden and with greenhouses, which grows a variety of plants, fruit and vegetables
  • KS1-4 History: There is a strong collection Royal portraiture on display, with many monarchs being represented, such as Henry VIII and George III
  • KS1-4 Art & Design: There is an impressive collection of Old Master paintings and portrait miniatures in the House
  • KS2 History: Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: The development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509 - 1745

Free Self-Led Visits

Enjoy a free self-led visit and experience parts of the beautiful 17th century mansion, service wing, kitchen garden and grounds. Say hello to our resident horses in the stable block and visit the Coal Gallery, once a hive of activity, as we recreate the hustle and bustle of servants' daily routines. Use our new  outdoor learning kit for KS1-4 to explore the different species of trees around the estate and understand how and why the gardens were created. We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking.  

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Expert-Led Discovery Visits

Learn about the life of a Victorian servant: explore the service wing of Audley End and meet Mrs Warwick, housekeeper to the Braybrooke family. To enhance your learning experience, students (and teachers!) are encouraged to come dressed in Victorian costumes.

Find out more

Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Audley End House and Gardens does not have its own coach parking; groups can be dropped off at The Audley End Miniature Railway car park (located opposite the entrance to Audley End). All other facilities including toilets can be accessed at Audley End House as below. When you book, please see the ‘What You Need to Know’ documents for further information about local weight restrictions for vehicles. When you book, please see the ‘What You Need to Know’ document for further information about local weight restrictions for vehicles. Coach parking is available nearby at the Swan Meadow in Saffron Walden. For more information, including parking fees, please visit their website https://north.parkingpartnership.org/region/uttlesford/saffron-walden/
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to picnic in the grounds. There is a picnic area with tables and benches for packed lunches. There is no dedicated indoor lunch space, but lunches can be eaten in the Education Room if this space is available. You can check availability and book the Education Room in advance; please contact the Education Bookings Team. There is a café on site offering light lunches and refreshments.
    • TOILETS: Male and female toilets are available by the Tearoom and the Cart Yard Café.
    • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring students in small groups at a time. 
    • EDUCATION ROOM: Our education space is currently available, for a maximum of 15 people at any time. Please ask the bookings team to check availability and add this to your itinerary.
    • BAG STORAGE: Bags can be stored in the Education Room if this space is available. You can check availability and book the Education Room in advance; please contact the Education Bookings Team.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Please be aware that the first floor in the house cannot be accessed without negotiating stairs. The education room and service wing are accessible for wheelchair users.
    • WET WEATHER: Visits to the inside of the house will not be disrupted by wet weather. The garden will be slippery in wet weather so extra care should be taken.
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    House Opening Times

    • April-3 November: Monday-Sunday 10:30-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • 4 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-3pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-3pm. Discovery Visits available Wednesday-Friday

    Gardens Opening Times

    • April-June: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • July-August: Monday-Sunday 10-6pm
    • September-3 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 4 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Audley End House and Gardens Teachers' Resource Pack (KS1-KS2)

    Use the historical information and sources in this pack to learn more about Audley End's story.

  • Audley End House and Gardens Timeline (KS1-KS2)

    Chart the history of Audley End House and Gardens with our timeline.

  • Audley End House Top Things to See (KS1-KS2)

    Use our Top Things to See self-led tour to discover the rooms and collections at Audley End House. 

  • Audley End House and Gardens Teachers' Activity Ideas (KS1-KS2)

    Our suggested activities support learning before, during and after your visit to Audley End House and Gardens.

  • Audley End House and Gardens Outdoor Learning Kit (KS1-KS4)

    Use our Outdoor Learning Kit to explore the variety of outdoor spaces at Audley End. 

  • Audley End OCR SPEC B: History Around Us (GCSE)

    We’ve created a site proposal form to help with your planning in conjunction with OCR.

  • Teaching the Victorians

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of the Victorians.

  • Curators' Collections: Audley End

    Explore objects from our collections at Audley End House to learn more about discoveries, changing fashions and developments over 400 years.

  • Meet a Victorian Cook

    Meet Avis Crocombe, the cook at Audley End House, to discover more about Victorian kitchens in a country house. 

  • Driving a Cart - The Victorian Way

    Find out how Emily Justice, Lady Braybrooke's personal maid, used a horse-drawn cart to carry out errands around Audley End.

  • A Tour of the Laundry

    Join Mrs Warwick, the housekeeper at Audley End, on a tour of the laundry to find out more about life in the Service Wing.

  • How to Harvest Apples the Victorian Way

    Join Edgar Ashman, third gardener at Audley End, as he harvests apples in the Kitchen Garden for Mrs Crocombe's gateau de pomme.  

  • Laying the Table - The Victorian Way

    Mr Lincoln, the butler, is preparing for Christmas at Audley End. Can you lay the table ready for the festive season in a grand country house?

  • Historical Games at Audley End

    Join presenter Esme Todd and curator Peter Moore as they explore historical games played at Audley End from backgammon and chess to bowling and football. 

  • Homes Through History: Audley End

    Meet Pawel, a member of the Cichociemni, the Polish Section of the Special Operations Executive, who trained at Audley End during the Second World War.