Audley End House and Gardens
The stunning grandeur of Audley End House and Gardens, makes it one of England’s finest mansions. Walk through the great hall and opulent rooms then discover what life was like below stairs with the restored service wing immersing visitors in a Victorian servant’s daily routine. With landscaped formal gardens designed by Capability Brown, an organic walled kitchen garden, spacious parkland and a stable block there’s so much to see that you’ll be pleased to take a break in the Courtyard Café or Servant’s Hall Tea Room.
Read more about Audley End House & Gardens here.
Saffron Walden Museum
The award-winning Saffron Walden Museum is one of the country’s oldest local purpose-built museums. Its wide-ranging collections explores the archaeology, natural history and social history of north-west Essex and the wider world. Special exhibitions take place throughout the year so there is always something new to see. The museum is particularly child friendly with opportunities to excavate in the archaeological sandpit and explore the natural history discovery centre.
Read more about Saffron Walden Museum here.
In the grounds of the Museum sits Walden Castle which has recently re-opened to visitors following repair work to stabilise the historic Grade 1 listed attraction. Visitors can now safely explore the medieval landmark which forms an important part of Saffron Walden’s history.
The Great Dunmow Maltings
The Great Dunmow Maltings is an outstanding survival of the early malting and brewery industry. Now fully restored it is recognised as a building of special architectural and historic importance by English Heritage. The building also houses the Great Dunmow Town Museum which features displays and items representing the social life and history of the town, including the Flitch chair which is still used today during the Flitch Trials.
Read more about the Great Dunmov Maltings here.
Priors Hall Barn, Widdington
Lovers of architecture should pay a visit to Priors Hall Barn, Widdington which is one of the finest surviving medieval barns in the east of England.
Read more about Priors Hall Barn here.
Ashdon Village Museum
Ashdon Village Museum – a micromuseum celebrating the history of Ashdon and a very scrumptious tea room!
Read more about Ashdon Village Museum here.
The House on the Hill Toy Museum at Mountfitchet Castle
The House on the Hill Toy Museum at Mountfitchet Castle has over 80,000 toys on display from humble homemade toys up to the 1990s it won’t take you long to find something to bring those childhood memories flooding back. There are some amazing late 19th century coin-operated, end of the pier slot machines to play on including some that shocked Edwardian Britain!
Read more about Stansted Mountfitchet Castle here.
The magnificent Thaxted Guildhall
The magnificent Thaxted Guildhall also houses a small museum with a display of old photographs and objects relating to the history of Thaxted, including examples of school work dating back to 1830-1878 when it was used as a school providing free education to local children.