Ingatestone Hall in Essex

We visited Ingatestone Hall one Sunday and had such a lovely time. A wonderful 16th century house to explore with gardens and a tea room. There is so much to see and the gardens are lovely, its a perfect way to spend a Sunday, especially when you can enjoy a slice of cake too!

Everything you need to know about a historic visit to Ingatestone Hall in Essex:

The house was built in the 1500’s and has been passed through fifteen generations of the Petre Family. The house is still occupied by the family until this day. Situated in the countryside just 1 mile from Ingatestone in Essex. It’s a splendid Tudor Mansion which retains its original Tudor form and appearance. Inside you will find oak-panelled rooms adorned with furniture and objects gathered over time from many different periods.

 

The House

As you enter the house into the Inner Court there is a small shop selling gifts and souvenirs and a restaurant situated in The Summer Parlour. They serve light lunches, sandwiches, delicious cakes, and cream teas. Full afternoon teas can also be prebooked. There are lots of paintings on the walls and Eden sat happily drawing her own versions of them!

 

Exploring the rooms

You start your self guided tour in The Stone Hall, a beautiful large oak panelled room. Each room is adorned with various pieces of furniture and objects collected over the years. There are also lots of personal photos and articles belonging to the family. Eden found looking around the house so interesting, looking at the paintings, tapestries, stuffed animals and various artifacts. She was amazed to find the priests hiding place hidden in the Study and found it fascinating that this was a hiding place for someone once upon a time. The secretive chamber is hidden within a cupboard, entry via a small alcove. At the opposite end there was once an opening where food might have been passed to the priest. Eden insisted on having a photo next to the Priests hiding place.

There is also a second Priests hiding place on the main stair case. It had been lost for many years and was uncovered in 1855 when a child lost its toy through the floorboards in the room above.

There are many rooms to visit within Ingatestone Hall. The Dining Room was particularly impressive, the table laid out in fine silverware ready for entertaining. Upstairs in The Gallery there are lots of glass display cabinets filled with lace, coins and documents. There are so many interesting things to see, you won’t be disappointed.

 

The Gardens

Ingatestone Hall is surrounded by ten acres of enclosed gardens comprising extensive lawns, walled garden and stew pond. In the garden there are several routes to take around the garden, whether it’s The Lime Walk lined with trees, The Nut walk named as it is lined with Hazel trees and The Wild Walk, an area to encourage wild life. Each one makes an interesting and exciting adventure for little ones. We spent lots of time exploring the gardens.

Visitor Information:

Opening Times:

The house and grounds are open from noon to 5 p.m.  (last entry 4 p.m.) on Wednesday, Sundays & Bank Holiday Monday afternoons from Easter until the end of September. Check their website for full list of events and Guided Tour dates.

Parking

There is free parking available in the Meadow Car Park.

Pricing

• Adults are £10 each
• Pensioners £8
• Children 5-16 £5
• And under 5s are free.

The house is also open to other events and available to hire for weddings and parties. Please see their website for more information.

Are Dogs allowed at Ingatestone hall?

No dogs are not permitted in the house or grounds

Is Photography allowed at Ingatestone hall?

Photography is not permitted inside the house.

Is there a restaurant at Ingatestone hall?

Teas and light lunches are served in the Summer Parlour whenever the house is open without pre-booking

Thank you for reading Ingatestone Hall – A Review.

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