Hylands House

About the museum

Hylands House was built around 1730 for Sir John Comyns as a red-brick Queen Anne mansion on about 400 acres. In the early nineteenth century the landscape architect Humphrey Repton guided changes to the estate, and the house was given its white stucco front, so that it is now a neo-classical villa listed at Grade II*. Under John Attwood the estate grew to about 4,300 acres, but in 1858 it was split up and sold in seven lots, one of them containing the house.

Mrs Christine Hanbury owned the estate from 1922 to 1962. A fire in 1964 left the West Wing partly in ruins. In 1966 Chelmsford Borough Council bought the house and the estate and opened the park to the public. The house was restored in phases between 1986 and 2007.

Today the estate covers about 574 acres of parkland, with Victorian formal gardens, ancient woodland and an adventure playground. The house is run by Chelmsford City Council and is used mainly for weddings, celebrations and business events. It is open free of charge to the public on its monthly Open Estate Days, when a multimedia tour of the house and gardens is available, but it is closed to visitors from October 2026 while new boilers are fitted.

Highlights

• Neo-classical villa with Repton’s landscape setting
• 574 acres of parkland, Victorian gardens and ancient woodland
• Artists’ studios and the second-hand bookshop in the Stables
• Free multimedia history and gardens tour
• Adventure playground and monthly Open Estate Day with food market

Operated by

Chelmsford City Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Open Estate Days (second Sunday of the month)

The park, the Stables, the artists’ studios and the gardens are free; the house is free on Open Estate Days (the house is closed from October to December 2026). Car parking charges apply from 9am to 6pm, with a discount for Chelmsford residents; payment is by the MiPermit app. Blue Badge holders park free all day.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The house has step-free entry by a ramp at the front door (the heavy door may need help), a lift in the West Wing serving the basement and first floor, and an accessible toilet there. Most park paths are flat and hard-surfaced; a free mobility scooter can be booked in advance at the Stables information point. The Stables has an accessible toilet, and a Changing Places toilet is at the Writtle car park entrance (a key is needed from Chelmsford City Council). Blue Badge spaces: 4 at the London Road car park, 10 at Writtle and 9 at the Stables. An induction loop is available at events if arranged in advance. Assistance and guide dogs are welcome. There is no accessible bus route.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The adventure playground (accredited as an inclusive play area) is near the Hylands Park entrance; a Go Ape treetop course is also on the estate. Activities for children and families run through the year.

Getting there & parking

The house entrance is off London Road; satnav postcode CM2 8WQ.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Deli café at the Stables (daily 8am–5pm, hot food until 3.30pm), an artists’ shop and a second-hand bookshop run by the Friends of Hylands House.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The house and other spaces are hired for weddings, celebrations, business meetings, Christmas parties, filming and outdoor events.

Plan your visit