Testimonials

Read below to see what our visitors thought of our Tower and Grounds.

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  • Testimonial – Education

    • “Our trip to Layer Marney Tower for the Vikings module has been one of the best trips I have ever taken a class on. The children were engaged the entire day and were able to take part in the most fantastic experiences that we just cannot replicate at school. Hilary was utterly brilliant, she is clearly very experienced and incredibly knowledgeable and Rowan class learnt so much from her. All of the children said how much they loved her and how this trip was their favourite!! The set up of the day was fantastic, there wasn’t a moment wasted and it felt like we were really able to get the most out of our trip. I will be highly recommending Layer Marney Tower to any teacher friends and colleagues that will listen. Thank you again for the most amazing day!!!”
      Chipping Ongar Primary, February 2023
    • “Thank you for a fantastic visit. The whole day was very well organised and the quality of the teaching was brilliant. Our children were like sponges and have retained lots of key facts about the Vikings. Thank you for a great day!”
      St Michael’s Primary, March 2023
    • “We had a wonderful day learning about the Tudors with Hilary and Jackie. The children were organised well from arrival and immediately thrust into activities, which were timed well throughout the day. The children came away from the day enthusiastic and a number of parents have already said their child did not stop talking about the trip when they got home. The leaders were very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to and learn from. The adults (as well as the children) enjoyed the day. Thank you very much for organising such a wonderful day for our school.”
      Fairways Primary, June 2023
    • “It was a fantastic day learning about the Greeks – all of the staff were very welcoming and had good behaviour expectations and boundaries. It was great that we had the whole place to ourselves – this made it very safe for the children. The module choices were great and we even changed one of our choices 2 days before the trip which they happily accommodated. All of the children loved it and are still talking about it now! Thank you!”
      Mildmay Primary School, June 2023
    • “All Children and adults had a fantastic day enjoying all elements of our Tudor experience. So much information was shared and we all got a real sense of stepping back in time. Thank you for a great experience!”
      Purleigh Primary School, October 2023
    • “Year 2 had a very enjoyable day at Layer Marney Tower learning about the Great Fire of London. We had a lovely tour of the tower and building and Hilary was very knowledgeable about the setting and shared some wonderful facts with the children. The children said their favourite part was climbing the tower! It was lovely to eat our lunch in the great hall where we had lit the fire. It was a beautiful setting and a change from the school hall! The chalk silhouette artwork was a hit and the children were very proud of what they produced. Thank you for a lovely day.”
      Layer De La Haye, November 2023
    • “A very jam-packed day out! Lots of information taught and activities were fun and engaging. We definitely got our money’s worth, and it was worth every penny. I loved how the children also had two things from two different activities that they were able to take home, they were great keepsakes.”
      Stanford le Hope Primary School, November 2022
    • “The day was a fantastic experience for the year group. As we were studying the Tudors, to be able to walk around the grounds and into several buildings was brilliant. The guides that we had were extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering questions and providing history lessons on the subject we chose. I would recommend Layer Marney Tower as it was a great educational day out and everyone really enjoyed the experience.”
      Essex Primary School Year 5 – Tudors
    • “The children absolutely loved the fact they could actually touch, hold and try on the knight’s clothing and armour. The archery was a huge success, as was climbing the spiral staircase to the top of the Tower. Hilary and Jackie were both great and their knowledge and enthusiasm really helped to make the day so successful. The adults all enjoyed it too.”
      Essex Primary School Year 2 – Tudors
    • “Our children thoroughly enjoyed their day and loved the ‘yucky’ details of Tudor life shared. Good range of Tudor activities offered. Thank you!”
      Suffolk Primary School – Tudor Day
    • “Sharon was very helpful when booking this trip.  She communicated our needs to Educational staff and tailor made the trip for our class.  All relevant paperwork was emailed out, making it easy for me to fill in our school risk assessment form. It was one of the most calm and easiest trips I have taken a class on. Activities were well organized and practical. All resources were of good quality and the children enjoyed taking part and liked the fact they could take home what they had made. Hillary had great management of the children and all children took a great deal of knowledge back to school with them. The facilities were outstanding and we liked the fact that Layer Marney was safe and we were the only school.”
      Suffolk Primary School – Tudor Day
    • “Our children thoroughly enjoyed their day and loved the ‘yucky’ details of Tudor life shared. Good range of Tudor activities offered. Thank you!”
      Benyan Primary School
    • “There is not anything we feel could be improved. The children had a fantastic day, learnt lots and enjoyed themselves. The adults leading the sessions were very good and strong with behaviour management, assessing the risks and answering the children’s questions. The children got a lot out of the day and we’d love to come back soon! Thank you.”
      Chase Lane Primary School
    • “The children all had a great time and it was highly valuable seeing them use what they had learned in the classroom and put it into a real-life context in a real Tudor palace. The staff were highly knowledgeable and ensured that the Tudor content was accessible for our Year 2 children and adapted it as necessary. The day ran smoothly and the children enjoyed the hands-on experiences. We will definitely be taking future year groups to Layer Marney Tower in the years to come. Thanks very much.”
      King’s Ford Infant School and Nursery
    • “I thoroughly enjoyed the day at Layer Marney (it was my first time visiting). The children also enjoyed their day at gained a lot of knowledge from it. The adults leading the modules were very engaging and were very knowledgeable and could answer any question. They were confident in front of the children and were able to take control of the groups when needed and the children responded to them. I learnt a lot from them myself! I will be booking up for next year’s trip!!”
      Millhouse Primary School and Nursery
    • “Thank you for providing such a well structured and organised day. The children and I really enjoyed every minute!”
      Purfleet Primary School
    • “Children were fully motivated; teaching staff were fun, informative and able to assess children’s needs quickly. The venue and facilities were clean and easily accessible. We had a wonderful day!”
      Rise Park Junior School
    • “Just a quick email to pass on our thanks to Hilary for yesterday. The children had a great day, and we were all very impressed with the way she led the lessons, and her excellent subject knowledge – some of the girls were still in shock that by now they would have been married!”
      Upshire Primary School

  • Testimonial – Staying

    • “So much to enjoy on site – local walks, playground, feeding the animals, tour of the tower. Definitely get a chicken coop. Farm shop at Great Braxted is excellent. Pub lunch at The Old Crown in Messing highly recommended.”
      Anon – 2022
    • “Excellent site, super friendly & helpful hosts and set in a beautiful location. My kids loved feeding the animals and the regular visits from the owners dogs. Hot tub was a winner with us all. The honesty shop had the basic essentials and there are larger supermarkets approx. 10 mins away.”
      Anon – October 2021
    • “Amazing weekend break – was lovely to spend so much time outside and watch the kids make fires and play. Lovely accommodation and place to be.”
      K.P. – September 2020
    • “Amazing weekend break – was lovely to spend so much time outside and watch the kids make fires and play. Lovely accommodation and place to be.”
      K.N. – July 2022

  • Testimonial – Visiting

    • “I visited with my local U3A on a wet drab day in October. Initially hesitant to pay £14 for a tour around the house, I soon discovered how wrong I was. Mrs Charrington is an outstanding guide and her anecdotes about the history o Layer Marney and its previous occupants were riveting. This is not your run of the mill visit to a listed building full of antiques. This is a rather eccentric real live history lesson and a very enjoyable one at that. Not to be missed in my opinion. Thank you. I will be back!.”
      U3A Visitor
    • “We had a guided tour of Layer Marney Tower while staying at Goldhanger and it was brilliant, apart from the rainy English weather! The building has been kept in fantastic condition and the views over the grounds are wonderful. There is a little farm with animals to see as well as a small, limited cafe which offered toasted sandwiches and coffee. They have shows there and have hosted TV series over the years as well, like the Antiques Roadshow. Really worth a visit , even just to check out the spiral chimneys!”
      James Guided Tour of Layer Marney Tower
    • “On behalf our Ladies’ Club I’d like to thank you so much for making our visit to Layer Marney Tower extremely successful. All comments about the day have been very positive, praising your excellent guided tour and sharing your expert knowledge in a joyful and interesting way. Being able to have lunch arranged for us was an added bonus, it was lovely to walk in the old stables, sit down and be served by the pleasant staff.”
      Ladies’Club – May 2018 Guided Tour
    • “On behalf of Tunbridge Wells U3A, I’d like to thank you, Sheila and Nick for a wonderful time at Layer Marney. Everyone enthused about it on the way home. Layer Marney certainly is a lovely place to live and work; I’m very envious! Can you also convey our thanks to your catering staff, they did a superb job. The lunches were so fresh and tasty and the cakes and drinks were most acceptable after the interesting tour.”
      Tunbridge Wells U3A
    • “Excellent tour by Sheila, we were all amazed at her knowledge without any notes. All my group said it was one of the best Tours we have ever had. Very nice lunch prepared by two lovely ladies. An excellent day out, finished off by feeding the lambs”
      Kent Group – April 2019 Guided Tour
    • “My partner and I were lucky enough to be on a coach trip last weekend and so got the opportunity to attend an amazing day at your beautiful home. From start to finish it was a complete joy, the tour was so much fun and informative. The meal was lovely and the setting perfect. And I don’t even know where to begin with the amazing concert in the most beautiful church. We have had many lovely Christmas days out over the years, but this whole experience tops them all!! Please let your singers know that their voices were fantastic and the narration was wonderful! So thank you all concerned for a wonderful day, it really started off our Christmas in the most special way. We certainly hope we can make the trip next year and many years to come.”
      Debbie – December 2018 A Christmas Carol Tour
    • “Absolutely most enjoyable and enlightening visit – everyone was delighted – so thank you for your time and effort – we will be back!”
      Friends of the Minories – Guided Tour