Explore the sumptuous rooms of Hylands House with new group tours

Hylands Estate has launched new Group Visit packages allowing groups to exclusively explore the sumptuous rooms inside Hylands House with a dedicated tour guide.

Journey through Hylands’ history before enjoying fresh tea and cake

Groups and societies can enjoy having Hylands House to themselves for half a day in this exclusive tour experience. A dedicated Friends of Hylands House volunteer tour guide will take participants through the house, exploring its elegantly decorated rooms, including the majestic Banqueting Room, the sweeping Grand Staircase and the opulent Library. As they tour the house, the guide will share Hylands' fascinating history, from its original construction in 1730 to the modern day. They’ll guide guests through the extensive architectural changes to Hylands over the years and talk about the social history of those who lived and worked at the house in centuries past.

The Banqueting Room and Library at Hylands House. Photos by Matt Chung.

The tour will also share insights into the restoration of the house from 1987 to 2007, looking at the fine architectural details of the conserved rooms which were brought back to their former 19th-century Humphrey Repton design. Participants should be prepared for an hour-long walk around the house, with limited seating available for resting.

Architectural details inside the rooms at Hylands House. Photos by Matt Chung.

Following the house tour, groups will enjoy tasty refreshments in the pastel-coloured Terrace Room which overlooks the Back Lawn. Hylands Estate’s outstanding onsite café, The Deli, will provide delicious, sweet treats such as homemade cakes, and the Hylands team will serve hot and cold drinks whilst guests eat and admire the views of Hylands Park and Chelmsford in the distance.

Supporting the Friends of Hylands House

Group Visits cost £30 per person (min 30 guests, max 50 guests) and every space booked includes a donation to The Friends of Hylands House. The Friends are a charitable organisation who work hard to fundraise for project-based improvements and new initiatives at Hylands Estate, so everyone can enjoy Hylands for years to come. Projects they’ve led over the years include the Hanbury Memorial Garden and the marble replica Venus with Apple sculpture now located in the Entrance Hall.

The new tour packages are recommended for coach groups, societies, educational institutions and other interest groups. Coach parking is available in Hylands Estate and on London Road.

Tours are available on selected dates, and bookable up to three months in advance. Contact a member of Hylands’ helpful team or fill in an enquiry form online to get your group booked in. 

Individuals can explore the house during Open Estate Days

If you’re not part of a group or society looking to visit, don’t worry! You can still explore the house’s beautiful interiors at one of Hylands’ Open Estate Days.

The Drawing Room and Dining Room at Hylands Estate. Photos by Matt Chung.

Held once a month, the Open Estate Days are exactly as they sound! Hylands House opens its doors to the public for one day only, allowing visitors to get a sneak peek at the stunning rooms inside the Grade II* Neo-Classical villa. Though not as exclusive as the group tours, Open Estate Days include the opportunity to take part in a tour by a volunteer guide, available to individuals to join on the day on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open Estate Days also feature a street food and craft market by Urban Food Fest, with fresh local refreshments and gifts available to purchase direct from producers and makers. The Friends of Hylands House also present a monthly exhibition in the house Library and the next exhibition in October looks at how the house operated as a military hospital during the world wars. Hylands’ talented community of artists, designers and makers at The Stables open their doors too for visitors to explore their studios.

Open Estate Days feature food and craft stalls to explore, as well as the Artists Studios. Photos by Chris Cook.

There’s plenty for young families to enjoy too, including magical storytelling sessions with local storyteller Mike Dodsworth, and crafty activities which vary in theme from month to month.

The next Open Estate Day is just over a week away on Sunday 20 October and there’s even more to explore that we haven’t mentioned here. Find out all about it on Hylands Estate’s website and pop down between 10am and 3pm to check it all out!

Changes to Open Estate Days in 2025

In 2025, the monthly Open Estate Days will be changing from the third Sunday of every month to the second Sunday of every month. The first few of 2025 will be on 12 January, 9 February and 9 March.

Follow Hylands Estate on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with upcoming Open Estate Days and other events.