Group visits (minimum 10 people) to the garden are welcome by appointment, at the discretion of the owners, from April to September. The house is a private home and is not open to the public.

Magic of the Menagerie

It was built in the 1750s as an 'eyecatcher,' or focal point, to be seen from the large grounds of the now demolished Horton House by Lord Halifax.

What the modern visitor gets to see is simply unique. As well as formal lawns, fountains and numerous beds of roses, there is a newly stocked walled garden, impressive 'mounds' affording breathtaking views, and most astonishingly of all, two tiny thatched 'arbours', like hobbit homes, clad in tree stumps tucked away in the dense planting. One is a guest bedroom with ensuite facilities, and the other, an incredible consecrated Catholic chapel.

And under the main 'house' of the Menagerie building itself, is a grotto, accessible only by stepping stones across a hidden stream, and clad inside by thousands of seashells.

To visit the Menagerie is almost like stepping into the pages of a fairy story.

It is beautiful.

There are wild areas, a bog garden, and around every corner something new and unexpected.

Keeping the stunning gardens in great condition is head gardener Ade Parris. Formerly gardener at Stratfield Saye House, home to the Duke of Wellington, Ade is a local lad, who as a youngster played at the Menagerie.

Six years ago the job of looking after the constantly-growing gardens came up and Ade was keen:

"As soon as I walked around with Alex, it clicked. I think we both knew that this place was special and needed to be looked after. It is a magical place, everyone who comes here feels it, and says so."

Relaxed and yet wittily staged. Utterly unique.