FRIENDS OF AUDLEY END
Formed in 1987, our purpose is to inspire visitors of today and tomorrow to promote and preserve the special qualities of Audley End House, its collections and surroundings.
About the Friends
We are a membership organisation whose aim is to support the work of Audley End House and Gardens. There is an annual subscription to join and membership entitles free access to Audley End House, Gardens and Stables, when open to the public.
Audley End House is a largely early 17th-century country house outside Saffron Walden, Essex, England. It is a prodigy house, known as one of the finest Jacobean houses in England.
“We aim to promote the preservation, protection and improvement of Audley End House and its gardens, grounds and all facilities therein for the education and benefit of the public.”
Our Aims & Ethos
- To provide a forum and voice for friends and supporters, and act as advocate for Audley End House.
- To support English Heritage in their management of the House, Buildings, Stables and Gardens
- To stimulate public interest in, and care of, the beauty, history and character of Audley End, and ensure that this character is maintained
- To raise funds for acquisitions, conservation work and other relevant projects or activities related to the House.
- To encourage high standards in, and appropriate development of all areas of activity at Audley End, including architecture, planning, conservation, and the visitor experience.
What We Fund
The Friends contribute towards curatorial and conservation projects including the purchase of new acquisitions and the conservation of historic collections. We also support the stables and gardens, and other initiatives to improve visitor experience.
Faqs
We are always delighted to welcome new members
Anyone is welcome to join the Friends. Membership is not restricted to people living locally.
Single membership £28; Two adult household £50; Families £66; Single parent families £44; affiliates (?) £11
Membership entitles free access to Audley End House, Gardens and grounds when open to the public. However, Friends may have to pay an additional charge for entry to some special events.
News & Events
Re-positioning of the fire hose reel carrier
The second-hand bookshop at Audley End continues to be very popular and has become a ‘destination’ for many visitors to the house, stables and gardens.
Book cleaning project
On a visit in 1847, Mrs Bancroft, the wife of the American ambassador at that time, observed:
Print archive work
A recent project to organise the collection of prints, drawings, watercolours, books and other artefacts in the attic rooms at Audley End House.