With the sun set to reappear soon , English Heritage is getting ready for the new season at Audley End House & Gardens near Saffron Walden , Essex , with a fantastic programme of events .

Spring begins with the return of Easter Adventure Quest from Friday 14 to Monday 17 April , where young explorers meet characters from the past with stories of times gone by as they help visiting folk on a special adventure quest to win a chocolate reward .

From Easter Audley End ’ s Victorian Service Wing , Stables and Nursery will also be brought back as costumed characters allow people to experience Life Above and Below Stairs every weekend from April to September . Mrs Crocombe will be preparing meals in the kitchen , while a groom and stable-hand will be inviting visitors to experience a day in the life of a busy Victorian stable yard complete with horses , crafts , dressing up and games .

The long weekend , on Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May will see a BRAND NEW event take place at Audley End – Horses Through History . Visitors can meet merry monarch Charles II for a horse race with a difference , greet Georgian hounds , and be in the audience for a lively Victorian gymkhana . This event will allow them to take in the sights and sounds of living history across the grounds as well as touring the Victorian stable yard with resident experts . With military skills from the Kings Lifeguards and dressage displays in the stable yard , the best of horsemanship will be on show this bank holiday weekend .

Looking ahead to summer and the May half term , children will be kept entertained at the Kings and Queens event from Monday 29 May – Thursday 1 June as they learn how to avoid the pitfalls of palace life and impress your regal rulers . They will get to uncover the ultimate curtsey , bow like a pro , and entertain without being a fool .

There are also the vast grounds and gardens to be explored at Audley End , the café with seasonal dishes and shop , making it an ideal day out for all the family .

For more details and prices , visit www . english-heritage . org . uk / audley .

Listings : Easter Adventure Quest DATE : Fri 14 - Mon 17 Apr 2017

TIME : 11am - 5pm

WHERE : Audley End House & Gardens , Off London Road , Saffron Walden , Essex , CB11 4JF

Be a challenge champion this Easter weekend ! You ’ ll be greeted by a character from the past - perhaps a king , a butler or a Roman centurion - who ’ ll be able to help you crack the clues as you explore Audley End House and Gardens . There ’ s a chocolate reward for successful adventurers , so be sure to join in the fun .

PRICES : Adults : £ 17.50 / Concessions : £ 15.80 / Children : £ 11.50 / Family : £ 45.50

ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS : Free

WEBSITE : http :// www . english-heritage . org . uk / audley

Life Above and Below Stairs

grooming the horses , and meet housekeeper Mrs Warwick and other members of staff as they organise the house for the day . Costumed characters will bring Audley End back to its Victorian heyday every weekend .

PRICES : Adults : £ 17.50 / £ 15.80 / £ 10.50 / £ 45.50

ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS : Free

WEBSITE : http :// www . english-heritage . org . uk / audley

Horses Through History DATE : Sun 30 Apr & Mon 1 May 2017 TIME : 10.30am-5pm

WHERE : Audley End House & Gardens , Off London Road , Saffron Walden , Essex , CB11 4JF

Meet merry monarch Charles II for a horse race with a difference , greet our Georgian hounds , and be in the audience for a lively Victorian gymkhana . Take in the sights and sounds of living history across the grounds as well as touring the Victorian stable yard with resident experts . With military skills from the Kings Lifeguards and dressage displays in the stable yard , the best of horsemanship will be on show this bank holiday weekend .

PRICES : Adults : £ 19.70 / Concessions : £ 17.60 / Children : £ 12.10 / Family : £ 51.50

ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS : Adults : £ 2.20 / Concessions : £ 1.80 / Children : £ 1.60 / Family : £ 6.00

WEBSITE : www . english-heritage . org . uk / audley

Kings and Queens DATE : Mon 29 May - Thurs 1 June 2017 TIME : 11am-5pm

WHERE : Audley End House & Gardens , Off London Road , Saffron Walden , Essex , CB11 4JF

Put on a right royal welcome at Audley End as we teach you to avoid the pitfalls of palace life and impress your regal rulers . Uncover the ultimate curtsey , bow like a pro , and entertain without being a fool . Find out how to be the King ’ s right hand man or the Queen ’ s favourite lady in waiting at this school for novice nobles . Get it wrong and it ’ ll be off with your head !

PRICES : Adults : £ 17.50 / Concessions : £ 15.80 / Children : £ 10.50 / Family £ 45.50

ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS : Free

WEBSITE : www . english-heritage . org . uk / audley

Dates :

• Fri 14 - Mon 17 Apr 2017

• Sat 6 & Sun 7 May 2017

• Sat 13 & Sun 14 May 2017

• Sat 20 & Sun 21 May 2017

• Sat 27 - Mon 29 May 2017 TIME : 11am-4pm

WHERE : Audley End House & Gardens , Off London Road , Saffron Walden , Essex , CB11 4JF

Put on your apron and get your riding crop at the ready as you join us at Audley End as it ’ s brought to life this weekend . Come face to face with Mrs Crocombe as she prepares a meal for the family , bump into the stable-hand while they ’ re