The Historic Garden

The Trust's landscape garden comprises the area of the lake which fills naturally, but intermittently. Its late 18th century informal form replaces that of a formal canal, designed by Charles Bridgeman for John Fellowes about 1715. However there is still evidence of his original work in the haha and in positioning the Water Tower. (A haha wall is a sunken vertical barrier to prevent access to a garden, by grazing livestock, without obstructing views).

The Water Tower

The Carshalton Water Tower, Grade II listed, is unique. Referred to as the Bagnio in the 18th Century, it contains a suite of rooms. These serve a diverse range of domestic and social functions. There is the bagnio or bathroom with its deep plunge bath and exquisite early 18th Century tiles, the beautifully proportioned Saloon and the elegant Orangery, which contains a boutique that offers some items that are special to the Trust.

The restored remains of a water wheel can be seen within the wheel pit of the Pump Chamber. This powered the pumps which lifted fresh spring water, from below this chamber, into a cistern, housed in the structure's crowning tower.

The Hermitage

This garden folly, which is also Grade II listed, is built into the hillside situated on the south side of the lake. The façade is stone and is designed in a classical manner. It has the addition of mid 19th century niched flint flanking walls on either side.

The Folly Bridge

This bridge is false because water cannot flow underneath it. The folly acts as a dam at the north end of the (usually dry) lake. It is rustic in style and made of brick with stone, flint and clinker patterning. The folly, or Sham Bridge as it is otherwise known, was restored in 2010.