3.Fishponds, Dovecot and Terrace
To the left is one of the fishponds dug on the same axis as the lime-tree avenues and now largely drained and covered with thick woodland. Ahead is the 17th century dovecot.
To the right of this is a low earthwork bank where archaeological excavations in 2009 revealed evidence of walls supporting a raised terrace. This was designed to run at the rear of a new house where it would have provided a fine view overlooking the parterres of a garden. The garden was in the area to your right.
The excavations in 2009 uncovered some of the gravel paths and the remains of a flight of steps from an upper to a lower terrace. The slope between the terraces is still evident.
In the woodland behind are the traces of a canal and ponds from a formal water garden.
Continue to Point 4: The Dovecot →