Audley End House and Gardens near Saffron Walden in Essex will be hosting an exciting showcase of the history of its Victorian stables and resident horses this coming weekend (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August).
From traditional cobs pulling milk floats to flamboyant Friesians drawing a wagonette, there will be an array of vehicles and horses for visitors to see at English Heritage’s upcoming Horses in Harness weekend.
Real-life Victorian grooms will be busy working with the horses throughout the weekend and the day’s timetable will include demonstrations of how to present your harness horse in all its finery, how to train a horse to pull and a workshop on the difference between an agricultural and a carriage horse.
The highlight of the weekend will be the grand parades of horse-drawn trade vehicles and leisure vehicles, which will take place at 12.00 noon and 2.30pm respectively on both the Saturday and Sunday. Vehicles in the trade parade will include a milk float, a perfumery delivery van and an omnibus. Meanwhile a Governess Cart, Ralli Cars and the particularly elegant Bow fronted Brougham, known as the carriage of convenience for the gentleman, will all be on show during the parade of leisure vehicles.
Fiona House, Stables Manager for English Heritage at Audley End, said: “We are very excited to host this event at the Stables at Audley End House. We held the event last year and it was very popular and it’s grown significantly this year. There will be horses, ponies and donkeys of all sizes pulling a variety of vehicles and it’s a rare opportunity to see all sorts of horses in harness in Audley End’s beautiful grounds.”
Tickets to the Horses in Harness weekend cost £18.30 for adults, £11.00 for children aged 5-15, £16.50 for concessions or £47.60 for a family ticket (up to two adults and three children). English Heritage members will receive free entry.
For more information, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley
