An Essex park and country house is the second most-visited historic property in England according to a survey.

VisitEngland’s Annual Attractions Survey found only the Tower of London had more visitors than Chelmsford’s Hylands House Park.

Hylands had an estimated 1.9million visitors last year, 100,000 more than Westminster Abbey and more than 0.5m more than Stonehenge.

The Tower of London, which last year saw a surge in numbers due to the poppy installation commemorating the centenary of the First World War, had 3.1million visitors according to the survey.

The figures for Hylands, which is owned by Chelmsford City Council, include people attending events such as the V, Fling and 3Foot People festivals.

Ray Ride, city councillor for parks and leisure, said: “We are delighted that Hylands is now recognised as the second most popular English tourist attraction by VisitEngland.

“Hylands Park is a distinctive and magical place, which is always full of people either just enjoying its superb parkland and gardens, attending conferences and weddings or having fun at the various events for people of all ages held within the park.

“We are very pleased that we have restored it to its former glory for all to use.”

Hylands Park consists of 574 acres of land with the Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion at its heart.