The Head Gardener's House, Audley End, Essex

Staying at The Head Gardener's House

Arrival and Departure

One of the many attractions of staying in an English Heritage holiday cottage is the outstanding location. This can mean that access is varied and may at times be over unmade roads. Extreme winter weather could make some of our cottages difficult to reach. In these rare circumstances we will do our best to notify you in advance.

The housekeeper will contact you a few days before your arrival to advise you of where to meet them so that you can access the cottage.

Audley End House and Gardens is an English Heritage event site which may result in vehicles and people being on site out of the normal operational hours. We will advise people at the earliest opportunity of any events taking place at the site during their stay. 

During Your Stay

  • Access

    An access statement is available for each cottage, please ask our reservations team for more details. All housekeepers have Welcome All training.

    If you have special requirements please discuss these with our reservations staff before making a booking so we can do our best to meet them.

    • Suitable for wheelchairs: No
    • Number of floors: there are two floors, a ground and first floor
    • Steps to entrance: three steps up to the entrance porch and one step in through the doorway in to the hallway
    • Staircase: yes with 17 steps, a hand rail is available on the left as you go up the stairs
    • Handrails in bathroom(s): There is a handrail in the shower and in the bathroom
  • Provision and Supplies

    On arrival there will be a welcome hamper that will include tea, coffee, milk, bread, eggs, orange juice, marmalade or jam, cheese and a bottle of wine. Where possible goods will be of local origin. A small selection of toiletries will also be available including soap, shampoo, shower or bath gel. Cleaning materials and toilet paper will be provided for the start of your holiday.

  • Linen

    All beds have duvets and will be made up with white linen for your arrival. Extra blankets will be available. Two hypo-allergenic pillows are provided in each cottage. We provide one hand towel and one bath towel per person per week. Extra hand towels will be provided where there is a lavatory separate from bath or shower rooms and in the kitchen. An extra set of linen and towels will be left if your booking is for two weeks. Towels are not provided for swimming or beach use. We regret that linen is not provided for cots.

  • Telephone/Internet

    All cottages are supplied with a telephone for incoming calls and emergency calls. If you plan to use your mobile telephone please check signal strength with our reservation staff. Our housekeepers cannot receive or deliver messages to you during your stay as most do not live on site. Due to the rural location of some of our holiday cottages, we cannot guarantee that the internet speed will be of a level that you may be used to. Free wi-fi available at all cottages except Peacock Cottage.

  • Smoking

    Smoking is not allowed in English Heritage holiday cottages. If you smoke outside in the garden you are asked to dispose of used cigarette stubs carefully.

  • Refuse and Recycling

    Most of our cottages are located at the heart of an English Heritage property where only trade refuse collections are available to us. If recycling facilities are available onsite our housekeeper will explain where these are. Where there are no recycling facilities on the site, details of the nearest recycling centre will be provided. We request that you kindly take bottles, plastics and other recyclable materials with you at the end of your stay.

  • Heating and Lighting

    All electricity, gas and oil are included during your stay. We do ask that you kindly respect the use of these services.

  • Fuel for Fires

    An open fire is an important part of a holiday in the country, particularly in the cooler months. The availability of an open fire or a multi-fuel or woodburning stove is shown in our brochure/website. Where one is provided, you will find matches, firelighters and sufficient wood for the start of your stay. Information will be provided in the cottage on where you can purchase additional supplies.

  • Cleaning

    Our housekeepers will clean and prepare the cottage prior to your stay. The property is then yours to enjoy and the housekeeper will not return unless a problem arises. This applies to all holidays, including those booking for two weeks.

Benefits

FREE ENGLISH HERITAGE ACCESS DURING YOUR STAY

You have free of charge access to all English Heritage sites during normal opening hours for the duration of your stay.

WELCOME HAMPER

On arrival, there will be a welcome hamper that will include tea, coffee, milk, bread, eggs, orange juice, marmalade or jam, cheese and a bottle of wine. Where possible goods will be of local origin.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Let us know if you are making a holiday booking for a special occasion. We have a range of gifts that can be waiting for you on your arrival.

SHOP AND IN-HOUSE CATERING DISCOUNT

For the duration of your stay enjoy a 10% discount on in-house catering and items purchased from English Heritage shops.