There was a Benedictine Abbey on the site of what is now Audley End house. In 1538, under the orders of Henry VIII the abbey was suppressed and its' possessions were given to Sir Thomas Audley. He was a lawyer at the court of Henry VIII and later became Lord Chancellor. He played a key role in overseeing the break with the Roman Catholic church after Henry divorced Catherine of Aragon, and in the trial and execution of two of Henry's wives.
He converted the abbey buildings into a mansion and called it Audley Inn.
The area is very popular with walkers, so stealth may be needed.
This cache can be combined with our other caches Audley End - Thomas Howard, WW2 at Audley End - Tank Barrier and WW2 at Audley End - Station 43 to make a circular walk around the house and grounds of 2 miles. There are some lovely views of the house and surrounding area. There is no charge as the walk does not enter the English Heritage owned property. If walking from Sir Thomas Audley to Thomas Howard or vice versa there is a small stream to cross by stepping stones at N52.01.329 E000.13.715; however this can be avoided by walking a slightly longer way round to the east on the footpaths. This area can get quite muddy and boggy after rain.