Just a short walk down the lane from Southwinds is this magnificent stately house and gardens.  Wendy, our hostess, recommended the gardens, but did not mention the house.  It was not open on the day we were there, a shame.  History of the location dates back to the 7th century.  The current house dates from the late 19th century and the gardens designed and constructed in the early 20th century.  The owner, John Cory, was a famous amateur botanist who collected species the world over.  His landscape architect was Thomas Mawson. The gardens are the best I have ever seen.  They represent a grand combination of formality and planned rambling masses of flowers, shrubs and trees. 

That’s our only outing for the day as we are preparing for our 4 am “up and out” drive back to Heathrow tomorrow to turn in the car and head into London.