We set off in a shower of rain which soon passed away and the weather stayed fine for the whole of our visit until the journey home.
The garden has a high brick wall and is divided by formal high box and ewe hedges into long rectangular beds, with plantings including a meadow area, topiary, vegetable plots, avenues of lime trees, a sea of flowering grasses and a riot of flowers. Created by Lancelot Capability Brown in 1772, 'Englands greatest gardener', it features lakes and parklands and some very ancient trees, making the estate well worth a visit.
We were surprised to be greeted at the door of the Hall by the elderly owner, Sir Charles Legard himself, a member of the family which has owned this Regency English country house since 1690. It is a relatively modest but aristocratic home, still occupied by the family. The guide showed us many family portraits, paintings, books and photographs, while we admired its high ceilings, beautiful staircase and fine architecture.
