Audley End House, Essex, English Heritage

Built in the 17th-century, Audley End House is considered to be one of the finest Jacobean houses in England. Set in a tranquil landscape with stunning views across the unspoilt Essex countryside it is currently in the stewardship of English Heritage.

Audley End has an illustrious history its picturesque gardens, and grounds were designed by Capability Brown and Robert Adam designed the reception rooms on the house's ground floor.

Brintons was approached by English Heritage who were renovating the Nursery Suite as part of a £1.1m project. Yvonne Smith, Brintons Archivist, worked closely with the Curator Tom Boggis and Annabel Westman, Historic Furnishing Textiles Consultant to identify carpet designs which, were authentic to the (early) Victorian period. Designs were chosen from Brintons extensive archive, which dates back to 1790. It is one of the world's largest commercial design archives and historical pattern libraries in the industry.

Visitors can now experience what the Nursery was like in 1830s when the 3rd Lord and Lady Braybrooke and their young family were living at the house.

The nursery suite of rooms on the second floor provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the eight children (five boys, three girls), their governess, nursemaids and tutors. Visitors are able to experience the rooms as they were intended with a host of toys to play with and items to explore as they delve into the story of childhood in a Victorian country house.