Audley End House, whose park extends from the town’s edge to the railway at Audley End, is very much a ‘national monument’ and by far the country’s largest newly built mansion of the Jacobean period although what is seen today is, in fact, only a part of the former buildings.

The mansion is, in fact, the successor to Walden Abbey which was founded as a Benedictine Priory, in 1190 by Geoffrey de Mandeville and raised later to abbey status.At the Dissolution the abbey passed into the hands of Lord Chancellor Audley - Sir Thomas Audley, later created Baron Audley of Walden. His daughter married the Duke of Norfolk and their son, Thomas Howard, became Early of Suffolk in 1603 and Lord Treasurer a year later. He began, in 1603, to build a new house here, on a lavish scale, on the monastic site and partly using the original materials. As his ‘surveyor’, he employed Bernart Janssen. This mansion, named Audley End in honour of his grandfather, was completed in 1616, and was said to be the largest mansion in England with a square western forecourt that was slightly wider than the whole present west frontage. In all, the mansion consisted of four buildings ranged around a central courtyard.

In 1750 the eastern range of the mansion was demolished (Vanbrugh being responsible) together with parts of the south and north ranges but the western facade today remains largely unchanged. It has a wealth of mullioned windows, gables, turrets, chimneys and a fine main porch. Faced with Chilmark and Ketton stone it is of ambitious design with details that may have been altered or aided by Sir John Vanbrugh who was involved at Audley End during the 18th century.



The greatest of the rooms at Audley End is The Hall which, with the grand staircase designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in about 1721, runs up through to the full height of the western range. It is richly panelled, has a fine plaster ceiling with timber beams and features at one end a massive and richly decorated wooden screen of about 1615. a screen that extends up to ceiling height. There is also a second screen, of stone, as quiet in design as the wooden screen is flamboyant. The other rooms of the house, many still with influence of Jacobean design, include the Saloon with its heavily ornamented fireplace; the drawing room with a Jacobean-style ceiling added in 1830; the library with its fine chimneyplace; the painted drawing room (Biagio Rebecca carried out the paintings in 1769); the Gothic style chapel and the South Stairs which are one of the most attractive features of the entire house.

The grounds of Audley End were landscaped from 1763 by Capability Brown and various buildings and ornaments were added to enhance the natural buildings of the scene. A circular temple, to designs of Robert Adams, was built to commemorate the Seven Years War and the same architect designed, in 1763-4, the three-arched bridge. Other features include the Palladian bridge of 1783; the Temple of Concord built in 1791; the Icehouse Lodge and the Springwood Column erected in 1774 and a memorial to Lady Portsmouth. Of later design are the various lodges, the stable block and, outside the Lion Gate, the rather attractively grouped Georgian cottages of Audley End village, a ‘planned’ community of the late 18th century.

The house and grounds are now cared for by the English Heritage and are open from 12 moon to 6.30 p.m. daily (except Mondays) but including Bank Holidays from mid March to mid October. Refreshments are available at the house during the high season.

A rather different feature to be found within the grounds is the Audley End Miniature Railway, a 10 1/4 inch gauge railway that twice crosses the River Cam on its one mile woodland journey. Steam and diesel locomotives are used on the trains which operate at weekends and on Bank Holidays from April to early October.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs by Dick Harding (Tel: 01799 540843).