THE wartime secrets of Audley End House and Gardens – which was code named Station 43 – were revealed over the Bank Holiday weekend. During the Second World War the Jacobean mansion near Saffron Walden was a secret training station for Polish soldiers. En

THE wartime secrets of Audley End House and Gardens - which was code named Station 43 - were revealed over the Bank Holiday weekend.

During the Second World War the Jacobean mansion near Saffron Walden was a secret training station for Polish soldiers.

English Heritage events manager Lucy Hutchings said: "Station 43, Spies, Soldiers and Secrets was a great opportunity for families and war enthusiasts to learn about the important role Audley End played in our history."

Audley End was open to visitors for a fun-filled day out where they could experience living history and authentic military vehicles.

In addition to meeting the soldiers, children also had the opportunity to discover if they had what it took to become a secret spy in a fun drill and obstacle course.

In 1943, Audley End, or Secret Training Station 43, was placed exclusively under Polish control and agents undertook a series of arduous training courses in all aspects of guerrilla warfare before being parachuted into occupied Europe.

The training was tough and the pass-rate low, but a total of 527 Polish agents passed through Audley End between 1941 and 1945.