Day 208 - July 27th

Today we visited Audley End House and Gardens at Saffron Walden, Essex. We have visited before, many years ago, but very little about the property seemed familiar. We can only assume that since our last visit much more of the property has been opened to the public.

Audley End House is a large 17th century country house and is renowned as one of the finest Jacobean houses in England

Sadly photography wasn't allowed inside the main house but I have borrowed a few photos from the internet to give an idea of just how grand the interior of the house is.

The impressive Great Hall would certainly have left visitor in no doubt of the owners wealth.

The Saloon with amazing ceiling.

The Victorian nursery comprising a suite of room on the second floor included two huge dolls houses.

This four poster 18th century state bed was made for an anticipated visit from George III in 1794. It cost the equivalent of £25,000 today and the king never visited or used the bed!

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The house even has it's own chapel.

Photography was allowed in the service wing.

In the stables a horse watched us as he nibbled on a net of hay.

The gardens we beautiful and very well kept and there were lots of fruit and vegetables in the kitchen garden ready to be picked.