Garden
The 105 acre garden is a magical landscape, beautiful in all seasons, and it can be visited separately from the house. It has evolved over more than 450 years, and continues to change today. There are five miles of walks with rare trees, shrubs, formal hedges, temples, sculptures old and new, streams and ponds and the new, award-winning garden guidebook suggests trails and routes all around the garden while also explaining its history. You are welcome to picnic in the garden, there are no signs saying 'keep off the grass', and dogs on leads are also very welcome.
The famous waterworks include the twenty four steps of the 300 year old Cascade, falling 200 yards down the hill, the magic of water shooting from the branches of the willow tree fountain, and the trough waterfall. As well as the huge maze, and the rose, cottage and kitchen gardens, there is a new sensory garden.
Joseph Paxton, famous head gardener in the 19th century, created the gigantic rock garden, newly restored with a viewpoint looking out over the garden, the enormous gravity-fed Emperor fountain, the beautiful Pinetum and glasshouses. There is also access on most days to his recently excavated coal tunnel.