The new ITV series sees Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave) take a driving tour of the UK in his vintage 1960s Daimler, named Deborah, but there’s no sat nav for him – instead he’s using the Shell Guides first published in the 1930s. Following the 1968 guide to Essex, Richard discovers a very different Essex to today’s flashy, often unfavourable stereotype of the county.
At Audley End he meets with English Heritage historian Andrew Hann for a tour of the house and discovers the importance of the estate to the town and wider area.
The stunning Jacobean mansion also appeared in James Martin: Home Comforts on BBC One earlier in the month.
Though the house is currently closed for the winter, the beautiful grounds and gardens are open at weekends until the end of March, and there’s a half term Victorian Games week taking place from 16 – 20 February.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend
