The Garden Lake
The Garden Lake runs east-west beside the house. It is one of three lakes created in the late 18th century by throwing together a series of ponds and streams. They give an illusion of a river curling around the house.

Today a sizeable population of mandarin ducks live secretively on this lake. Reedmace, rushes, celandine, wild garlic, mint and primroses nestle at the water's edge.

Middle Lake
Beautiful views across Middle Lake are among the most impressive on the estate. A print from 1795 shows a figure lying in a grove, suggesting it had long been a favourite picnic spot.

The island, with its ancient heronry, appears always to have been wooded.

The North Lake
The North Lake is not in National Trust ownership. It is cut off from the estate and lies beside the M4 motorway. It was here, however, that Mrs Sarah Child kept her menagerie in the late 18th century. Reached by rope-drawn ferry boat, it was effectively a park within a park.

Mrs Bunce's Room (on the ground floor) displays many of the prints of exotic birds that once lived in the menagerie, most of which were made by local artist William Hayes. He employed some of his 21 children to help him engrave and colour the pictures. They include Numidian cranes, Chinese teales and a secretary bird.