The name Hylands Estate may not be familiar, but if you have been to V Festival, RiZE, or Creamfields South festivals in previous years, you likely have already visited this Grade II* listed parkland which is a jewel in Essex’s crown!
Sitting at the heart of Hylands Estate is Hylands House. This neo-classical Georgian villa built almost 300 years ago is now surrounded by 574 acres of luscious parkland, including the original Stables block which now hosts the Artist Studios. The original red brick Queen Anne style house still exists under its now well-known white stucco façade, which was one of many changes made under the guidance of landscape architect Humphrey Repton in the early 19th century.
In 1964, there was a fire in the West Wing and Hylands House fell into partial ruin. Its illustrious history accounts for ten owners, including Chelmsford City Council and a landscape architect who put the estate on the map; two world wars; and a restoration to its former glory. Each owner has stamped their mark on the estate, extending and remodelling according to the tastes and fashion of the day. In 1986, restoration of the house began, and the final phase was completed in 2007.
With all this history on its doorstep, Hylands Estate is looking to its future. It is loved by wedding couples and businesses alike, with spacious rooms and exquisite interior finishings, and prides itself on building relationships and collaborations with local companies to enhance their venue hire offer.
Here are some of the updates that Hylands Estate has made over the years that make it your venue hire of choice in 2025:
Top event production facilities
In 2024, Hylands Estate was delighted to announce a special partnership with local company Spotlight Sound, who have been Essex’s leading event production and AV installation company since 2009. This partnership elevates the Hylands offer, enhancing the customer experience for you and your delegates.
Not just limited to a screen connected to your laptop, Spotlight Sound can bring an event to life by creating spaces that capture your delegates’ attention. Whether it’s using uplighters in your brand colours, live streaming arrangements to increase your capacity, making yourself heard with sound equipment, or finding opportunities to make the best use of a large space.
With all the will in the world, we aren’t all tech experts. When that switch isn’t the right way round, or a signal drops out, panic can set in! Hylands Estate’s partnership with Spotlight Sound takes that anxiety away by allowing a team of experts to help make sure your event runs without a hitch (within their control, of course!).
Sustainable first
Did you know that Hylands Estate holds a Gold award from the Green Tourism and Green Meetings accreditation body? The team was delighted to receive this accolade, which demonstrates the hard work and passion they have for keeping the venue and the surrounding work in the park as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
Working alongside Chelmsford City Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Action Plan, which aims to make the council’s activities net-zero by 2030 (Hylands’ 300th birthday year), Hylands is committed to making sure it contributes as much as possible to making this happen.
Activity to achieve this has included: installing better lighting solutions throughout the building, using ethical methods to dispose of catering oil used on site, installing water reduction systems through their sites across the park, and implementing better practices and policies with their accredited suppliers.
There are also eco-friendly choices when it comes to using their pens and pads during you and your delegates’ visit to the venue.
Tree-swinging team building
Also in 2024, Hylands Estate launched their brand-new Company Away Day packages, partnering up with outdoor activity and tree-swinging experts Go Ape. After Go Ape opened their 35th facility – their first one in Essex! – it feels like a natural fit to introduce something new and exciting that really brings out the best in your team.
How do they know? They tried it themselves! The Hylands team gathered on a sunny April day to trial run exactly what their clients would be experiencing, from a hearty breakfast to Tarzan swings! There were also lawn games run by the Go Ape team for those who may not be keen to swing from the trees, meaning everyone has a chance to bond and use a bit of problem solving – whether it’s negotiating skis or trees.
It’s the ideal activity to match with listening to company updates and plans in one of the stunning Hylands House spaces, whilst being energised and fuelled by an onsite catered lunch. You will all finish the day raring to go for a new year, a new season, or just keeping morale at a high.
Visit their website and make an enquiry with their friendly team who will make sure you have the best experience from start to finish.
To find out more check out our VenueFinder page or https://hylandsestate.co.uk/