The kitchen garden was enclosed by high brick walls, and against the south facing wall was a row of substantial 19th century greenhouses, packed with exotic plants (including a display of orchids in full flower). Everything was immaculately presented. The labour necessary to keep up such a show must be immense (not just the exotic plants but the whole ensemble of landscape garden, flower garden, kitchen garden and hothouses).

From the walled garden we went round into the stable yard and through a passage in the back of the house into the inner courtyard (the house is a square built around this court, further emphasising the sense of mystery, of penetrating through one barrier only to find another one put up). Almost filling the inner court was a marquee where teas were on sale.