Visit to Audley End House

14th October 2004

High on the list of properties I have always wanted to visit was Audley End House and Gardens, probably due to an excess of Elia and Evelyn in my impressionable days. Like all things long looked forward to, there was some fear that the reality would not live up to the dream, but my fears were groundless. The spectacular views of the park and house as I approached promised an overwhelming experience despite the relentlessly wet weather. This was definitely not a fair weather view.

After we met Joanna, the events organiser, and had a welcome coffee, we were taken on our guided tour. It was the ‘Putting the House to Bed’ tour, which concentrated on the care and maintenance of the property, now owned by English Heritage, before it closes to the public for the winter season. We were shown the specialised equipment used to clean the furnishings of the house. There are a variety of vacuuming processes depending on the delicacy of the object and it was amazing to learn that the dust collected is weighed every year and noted for any weight variation. It makes everyday household chores seem simple!
For those with an interest in creepy-crawlies there was an inspection of the insect traps, which are placed at strategic points to find out whether there were any serious infestations that could quickly destroy furnishings, furniture and books. Although welcome, the worst enemies of the property were we, the visitors. Our body heat and breath raised the ambient temperature and humidity to dangerous levels so radiators controlled by devices measuring the humidity, cut into keep them stable. So, be warned, on a hot summer’s day you may find the radiators going full blast to dry the atmosphere!
The maintenance of the house has been a problem from its construction in 1603. Its history has been characterised by a severe lack of funds to maintain it. Previous owners, to save money pulled down much of the property. Occasionally, there have been owners wealthy enough to maintain and improve the house. They have left us with the Strawberry Hill Gothic chapel, built wholly within a large room, and a sequence of rooms designed by Robert Adam. The 19th Century brought Victoria and Albert cosiness in bright colours and has left a rare square ottoman and cases of natural history specimens including hundreds of stuffed birds. Although, the special private tour which lasted an hour was hardly long enough to enjoy all that this property has to offer, a special bonus came from the company of the fellow Minerva members.

Julia Hulm

Wimbledon 1948-1955