A day trip to Audley End House, Suffolk
It has been awhile since my last post. I had moved to Suffolk and work was keeping me busy. However with the countryside around me, there were plenty of exciting places to visit.
Taking a break from work, we went to visit one of England's grandest stateley homes, Audley End House. Located just outside Saffron Waldron, Suffolk. It is renowned as one of the finest Jacobean houses in England.
I had joined the English Heritage and took the opportunity to travel as much as I could and save some pennies in the long run. The cost was reasonable for two people and they also refunded the price of our entrance tickets. The membership entitles you to free admission to over 400 castles, stately homes, ruins and more and they gave us a free map and guide to the sites.
House
After following the road around the hairy bush, we went to book a tour in the house. We didn't have to wait too long before we entered the house.
Upon entering the house, we walked into the great hall where there were many wooden carvings, flags and paintings on the walls. We were told that the family were fond of lions and you can still see carvings in the walls.
A bit of history: the house was given to the Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Audley End in 1538 by Henry VIII as a present. It was spectacular, there were lots of rooms, all elegantly decorated from reception rooms, libraries, bedrooms, drawing rooms. Seperate entertainment rooms for the ladies and gentlemen. There was also an 18th century gothic style chapel with outdoor servants entering from a staircase below.
A bit of history: the house was given to the Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Audley End in 1538 by Henry VIII as a present. It was spectacular, there were lots of rooms, all elegantly decorated from reception rooms, libraries, bedrooms, drawing rooms. Seperate entertainment rooms for the ladies and gentlemen. There was also an 18th century gothic style chapel with outdoor servants entering from a staircase below.
Gardens
The sun was out and there were many people on the ground - eating sandwiches, climbing the trees, reading, riding bicycles. The organic kitchen garden had many different vegetables, herbs and fruits growing including 120 apple trees and 40 to 50 pear and plum varieties which were used in the house around 1880.
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