64 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



portions of the 

 manor house. 



The gardens 

 and grounds are 

 in most happy 

 relation with the 

 structure, and 

 cover a space of 

 between six and 

 seven acres, 

 with fine light 

 alluvial soil. 

 The foliage of 

 chestnut, poplar, 

 and elm fails 

 naturally into 

 the scheme, and 

 the moat, with 

 its quaint 

 bridges, the yew 

 hedges, and the 

 enclosed court 

 are wholly sati>- 

 factory and 

 charming. The 

 to r m u t i o n o f 

 these gardens 

 and grounds was 



conducted chiefly in the autumn and winter of 1884, shortly 

 after Mr. Flower had purchased the place. At that time there 

 existed no ornamental gardens or grounds whatever. With 

 the exception of the old orchard within the moat, and the great 

 elms that border the lane from Wonersh Common, all the 

 trees and shrubs and the yew and beech hedges have been 

 planted in and since 1885. A body of about eighteen labouring 

 men worked under directions given to them week by week, 

 and the gardens and grounds were completed within a period 

 of about six months. The leading idea was evidently to 

 produce a natural arrangement in proper keeping of character 

 and uuaintness v/ith the house. 



Copyright. 



THE PEHGOLA WALK. 



The first 

 w o r k under- 

 taken was the 

 complete exca- 

 vation of the 

 moat, and the 

 earth removed 

 was thrown up 

 so as to level the 

 adjoining land, 

 while the water 

 of a pond which 

 is fed by a 

 stream passing 

 through the 

 valley of the 

 Tillingbourne 

 was admitted at 

 the north end, 

 and flows to- 

 wards the Wey 

 from the north- 

 west corner. 

 Additions have 

 been made from 

 time to time 

 upon the same 

 system, but no 



formal plan has been laid down, and no written direction 

 given. Great Tangley gardens have thus a delightfully 

 spontaneous character, but their features have been dictated 

 by good judgment and experienced taste. On the north and 

 west sides the space between the moat and the house is 

 occupied by the old orchard, and on the south front there 

 is a square enclosed court, planted as a flower garden and 

 lawn. The enclosing walls are very old, the parts on the 

 southern and eastern sides being of the time of Queen 

 Elizabeth. They are of Bargate stone, and are loopholed, 

 perhaps for purposes of defence in lawless times. These walls 

 are of great thickness and strength, and when Mr. Flower bought 



Count/ v Life ' 





CofytigHt. 



"Country Life.' 



THE COVERED WAY. 



