across the lake towards the rear of the house and the gently sloping grass bank to the lake and I learned something new: it seems that, many years ago, and to create extra theatre, the family would take their guests down from the house to a landing stage and then by boat across to where we were standing. They would then walk a short distance to the Gothic Arch we were about to go through. This arch was gated in those days and rendered; so that explains the use of random stone and its current appearance! All would then be revealed as they entered the Menagerie Garden (created in 1743) and were able to see the black-eyed lioness, monkeys, colourful birds and
