May Day at Audley End

We rarely go to Audley End (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/audley-end-house-and-gardens) as we are National Trust members and as this as English Heritage we have to pay but it is nice to have a change. Today they had a special May Day festival on with lots of things in addition to the house so we decided to brave the rain and go and have a look. We enjoyed looking around the house which is amazingly opulent. They have lots of stuffed animals which are fascinating to look at.  The grounds are also expansive but because of the drizzle we didn't explore. They had an amazing falconry display where a peregrine falcon was whizzing over our heads at 150 miles an hour (according the falconer). G was really inspired and now wants to be a falconer herself! We also enjoyed a cavalry display, some Victorian side-shows (G is really good at the coconut shy) and a play in the play equipment.