Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

• Facilities
  • PARKING: Audley End House and Gardens does not have its own coach parking; groups can be dropped off at The Audley End Miniature Railway car park (located opposite the entrance to Audley End). All other facilities including toilets can be accessed at Audley End House as below. Coach parking is available nearby at the Swan Meadow in Saffron Walden. For more information, including parking fees, please visit their website https://north.parkingpartnership.org/region/uttlesford/saffron-walden/
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to picnic in the grounds. There is a picnic area with tables and benches for packed lunches. There is no dedicated indoor lunch space, but lunches can be eaten in the Education Room if this space is available. You can check availability and book the Education Room in advance; please contact the Education Bookings Team. There is a café on site offering light lunches and refreshments.
  • TOILETS: Male and female toilets are available by the Tearoom and the Cart Yard Café.
  • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring students in small groups at a time. 
  • EDUCATION ROOM: Our education space is currently available, for a maximum of 15 people at any time. Please ask the bookings team to check availability and add this to your itinerary.
  • BAG STORAGE: Bags can be stored in the Education Room if this space is available. You can check availability and book the Education Room in advance; please contact the Education Bookings Team.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: Please be aware that the first floor in the house cannot be accessed without negotiating stairs. The education room and service wing are accessible for wheelchair users.
  • WET WEATHER: Visits to the inside of the house will not be disrupted by wet weather. The garden will be slippery in wet weather so extra care should be taken.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Audley End House and Gardens Hazard Information (62.2).pdf

   

  You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

  • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
  • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
  • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
  • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
  • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
  • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
  • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
  • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessment takes the hassle out of planning.

  • Victorian Values Risk Assessment.pdf (62.9 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

  ^*Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

  House Opening Times

  • April-3 November: Monday-Sunday 10:30-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 4 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-3pm
  • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-3pm. Discovery Visits available Wednesday-Friday

  Gardens Opening Times

  • April-June: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • July-August: Monday-Sunday 10-6pm
  • September-3 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • 4 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm