Audley End House & Gardens

Description

King Henry VIII gave Walden Abbey to Sir Thomas Audley, who transformed it into his mansion, Audley End. Despite ups and downs in its fortunes, Audley End remains one of England’s grandest country homes with over 30 lavishly decorated rooms to enjoy and explore. The sumptuous interior is largely due to the third Baron Braybrooke who inherited Audley End in 1825, filling it with treasures including paintings by Masters such as Holbein and Canaletto. A rare set of English tapestries by Soho weaver Paul Saunders is now displayed after 30 years in store. Wander round the beautiful 19th-century parterre with its magnificent floral displays and imagine yourself back in Victorian times as you take a turn around the organic walled Kitchen Garden growing original fruit and vegetable varieties.

How to get here

By Road: We are located 1 mile west of Saffron Walden on the B1383 (M11 exit 8 or 10)
By Train: Audley End railway station is approxamately 1 1/4 miles (Please Note: Footpath is beside a busy main road)
By Bus: Burton/Four Counties 59, Stansted Transit 301 from Audley End railway station stopping in Saffron Walden

Admission

Adult.............................................£10.70
Children.......................................£5.40
Concession................................£9.10
Family Ticket..............................£26.80
English Heritage Members.....Free - Join English Heritage
Gardens and Service Wing are not available on event days
Adult £7.70, Concession £6.50, Child £3.90, Family £19.30

Facilities

Facilities
• Wheelchairs: we have four wheelchairs, available on request; four motorised wheelchairs available in grounds, but must be booked in advance. Please ring 01799 522842.
• Toilets: Adapted; level access.
• Shop: Level access.
• Tea Rooms: Ramped access to the tea rooms. (Please Note: There are 3 steps to the self-service cafe)

Access
• Access to house: Via loose gravel, tarmac, cobbles and smooth grass. Ground floor level apart from Butlers Pantry which has 4 steps.
• Gardens: Access via tarmac and gravel paths and very smooth grass. Seats provided. A number of bridges either have a step or steep slope.

Parking
• 200m from entrance, with reserved parking for disabled visitors. Please make arrangements in advance if possible.

Visually Impaired Visitors
• Fountain, wildfowl and bird song in grounds; flower and rose gardens.

Group facilities

• Group Discount: 15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together plus a free place for every additional 20 paying passengers. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
• Coach Parking Facilities: There is free, but limited, parking for coaches on site, 30 metres from the entrance to the house.
• Group Booking: As booking is essential, group bookings can be arranged by ringing 01799 522842 Mondays to Fridays. Guided tours are available by arrangement prior to visiting.
• Average Length of Visit: House 1 1/2 hours & gardens 1 1/2 hours.
• Guided Tour of House:
21st March to 30th April, Wed to Sun (except Easter)
1st May to 29th July, Wed to Fri (except Bank Holidays)
1st September to 31st October, Wed to Sun

Opening times (April 2009 to March 2010)

House
1st April to 30th September (11am-5pm, last admission 2.30pm on Saturday) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays.
1st October to 1st November (11am-4pm, last admission 2.30pm on Saturday) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.

Last entry is 1 hour before closing.

Closed 1st November to 31st March except for Festive Fun Weekends: (21st & 22nd, 28th & 29th November, 5th & 6th, 12th & 13th, 19th & 20th December)

Gardens & Service Wing
1st April to 30th September (10am-6pm) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.
1st October to 1st November (10am-5pm) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.
2nd November to 20th December (10am-4pm) - Sat & Sun.
21st December to 31st January - Closed.
1st February to 14th February (10am-4pm) - Sat & Sun.
15th February to 28th February (10am-4pm) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.
1st March to 31st March (10am-5pm) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.

Last entry 1 hour before closing.

Guided Tours (House)
1st April to 30th April (except Easter) - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.
1st May to 17th July (except 4th & 27th to 29th May) - Wed, Thu & Fri.
1st September to 23rd October - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun.

Further information

Tea rooms are self-service in the Housekeepers Room and the Servants Hall.
Please Note: In some rooms, light levels are reduced to preserve vulnerable textiles and other collections. No photography or stiletto heels allowed in the house.
Please call the site for special events information.
In addition to guidebooks there are information sheets in French, Dutch, German, Spanish and Japanese.