The formal garden was a brilliant conception by Lutyens who wanted to link the house with the beautiful Orangery. He used a number of visual tricks which are not apparent to the visitor walking through the 'rooms' of yew and sculpture and parterre. He created an effect which cleverly combines originality and grandeur.

Massive yew planting, now mature and nearly four metres high, creates enclosed formal areas which lead irresistibly from one room to the next - the spaces between being almost entirely filled with hedging. There are also some particularly clever details, such as the clipped Portugese laurels, honeysuckles trained over wired umbrellas, ancient lemon verbenas in pots in the Orangery and on the terraces.

Daffodils, cowslips and magnificent magnolia are Spring features; roses, dahlias and wild orchids are Summer delights, complementing the fountains and statues at all seasons.