Audley End House – A Hidden Gem Near Cambridge! 🏰💎

Bank Holiday Adventure: Just 18 mins by train from Cambridge, we explored Audley End House—a stunning 17th-century Jacobean mansion in Essex. 🚂🌳 From Audley End Station, it's a 30-min scenic walk to the estate. 🏰 A Noble Legacy: Once home to Charles II & Sir John Griffin, this estate is now 1/3 of its original size but still breathtaking. The grand lawn? Perfect for picnics, reading, or dog-walking—just like the aristocrats did! 🏏🐕 🖼️ Inside the Manor: Portrait galleries & natural history specimens (mini museum vibes!) 🦉🎨 Chinese porcelain & tea sets (the owner had exquisite taste!) 🍵🇨🇳 Pro tip: Chat with the staff—they share fascinating stories! We heard about a rare pressed-flower book even employees haven't seen. 🤫📖 🌊 River Cam Views: The river flows peacefully by—picnic under a tree and soak in the serenity. 🌳💙 🐴 Kitchen Garden & More: Grow your own veggies? They do! 🥕🌿 Horse interactions (kid-friendly!) 👧 Impeccable landscaping—no walls, just artfully trimmed hedges. ✂️🌲 🎟️ Tickets: Off-peak: £20.9 | Peak: £23.6 15% discount for online bookings FREE for English Heritage members (visit 400+ UK sites!) 💡 We joined English Heritage: £126/year for two adults (and got a refund on our ticket!). Worth it! 🎟️💷 #WeekendGetaway #AudleyEndHouse #UKHeritage