The gardens and house were redesigned in the 1740’s by William Kent, a predecessor of ‘Capability’ Brown. His major constructions were the addition of the wings and the stable block. He also built the eyecatcher or folly on the opposite hillside; the mill beside the river; and redecorated much of the interior of the house, creating many fascinating and beautiful effects. The gardens of Rousham are almost unchanged, being the best preserved example of Kent’s landscaping left in the world, and represent the first phase of English landscape design. The many Kent features still extant include: various ponds and cascades in Venus’ Vale, the Cold Bath, and seven arched Praeneste, Townesend’s Building, and The Temple of the Mill. Don’t miss the walled garden with its herbacious borders, small parterre, pigeon house and espalier apple trees. A fine herd of rare Long-Horn cattle are to be seen in the park.