Audley End Miniature Railway is the product of the late Lord Braybrooke’s mutually complementary passions for railway heritage, craftsmanship, and hosting guests on his estate. When the first tracks were set down in the early 1960s, Braybrooke created an outlet for local craftspeople; the two original steam locomotives, Western Thunder and Curwen Atlantic, drawing ancillary carriages built by the local carpenter. He also laid the groundwork for a substantial visitor attraction which went beyond increasing the value offering to visitors on tour of Audley End House to draw more than 150,000 visitors per annum.
Our brief was to take a holistic approach to development, considering all aspects of the visitor experience, as well as the history and heritage of the miniature railway, to safeguard the future of this warmly regarded community asset. We achieved consent to formalise the utilisation of the overspill carpark and provide capacity for a projected surge in visitor numbers. That completed, the Braybrooke family were confident they could contribute proactively to the long-term investment in the attraction.
Our scheme provides for a large, newbuild coffee shop play equipment, upgrades to visitor facilities, and a more comprehensive redesign to the layout and land use of the site. The new architectural elements seek to emulate the sequential, simple pitched-roof volumes of traditional railway buildings. Modest materials such as wood and brick ensure an unobstructive and productive relationship with the wider scene. The prominent position of the new spaces between the station and the car park encourages visitors to spend more time at the property and experience the full scope of the Braybrooke’s warm hospitality.
