Audley End House and Gardens
Audley End House
A Jacobean mansion managed by English Heritage. Its restored Victorian servants' kitchens and stables, with live-in-style reenactments of daily life, are well worth a visit.
Audley End House lies about 22 km south of Cambridge, beside Saffron Walden. It was built in the early 17th century by the Earl of Suffolk and was once one of England's largest mansions. Charles II briefly bought it for use as a royal palace. It is now managed by English Heritage. Visitors can tour the magnificent hall and guest rooms. More fascinating still are the restored Victorian servants' kitchen, laundry room and stables, where actors in period costume often demonstrate daily life. The gardens were designed by 'Capability' Brown, and there is an organic walled kitchen garden. Admission is about GBP 25. From Cambridge, take a train to Audley End station, about 15 minutes, then walk about 25 minutes.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–17:00 (seasonal)
Nearby sights
- IWM Duxford
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- The Polar Museum
- Grantchester
- Fitzwilliam Museum
- Round Church, Cambridge
- Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
- Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology