Audley End House and Gardens

Once amongst the largest and most opulent in Jacobean England, today Audley End House is set in a tranquil landscape with stunning views across the unspoilt Essex countryside.

From the Parterre Garden with its glorious host of seasonal blooms, to the Cricket Pitch where you might catch local teams battling it out against one of the most magnificent backdrops in the country.

In the quiet calm of the East Park you’ll find the Temple of Concord where you can gaze upon the wonderful views of Audley End House and the Richard Woods and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. Follow in the footsteps of the aristocratic Braybrookes and relax on the Tea House Bridge, designed by Robert Adam, and overlooking the Elysian Garden.

On your way to our Organic Kitchen Garden stop off at the secluded Pond Garden, created in 1865, a romantic setting reached by a small bridge and overhung with a delightful honeysuckle arch.

When you start to feel peckish head to the Servants’ Hall Tea Room with its locally sourced menu including hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks. For light refreshments while you’re out and about there’s no better stop off than the Cart Yard Café, ideally located beside our horse themed children’s play area near the Stable Yard. Take inspiration from history at the shop where you can pick up jams and chutneys, wines, beers, books, garden gifts and more.

Explore The Mansion House with its impressive great hall, grand reception rooms, state bedroom, libraries and 18th century gothic-style chapel in more detail than before, and uncover the story behind the Braybrooke’s unique natural history collection. Discover the intricate period details, furniture and paintings in this opulent Jacobean mansion house.

Great houses need an army of staff to keep everything running smoothly, and you can meet Audley’s in the Victorian Service Wing and nursery. Discover what life was like below stairs and see them at work in the kitchen, scullery, dairy, laundry and nursery every weekend in May-September.

There are regular riding displays at the Stable Yard, the original tack house and Audley’s Victorian fire engine bring to life the history of the workers who kept this huge estate running.

The enormous walled garden still provides the estate with fresh organic fruit, vegetables and flowers all year round. Visit the glasshouse, vinery, bothy and potting shed and find out which Victorian varieties continue to thrive today. Discover over 120 varieties of apples, 40 types of pears, 60 kinds of tomatoes plus many more fruits and vegetables in the Organic Kitchen Garden.