Houghton Hall, one of the gems of English country houses, was built between 1721 and 1735 by Sir Robert Walpole, Britains first Prime Minister. The splendid award winning 5-acre walled garden is divided by flowing yew hedges into 'rooms' each with an individual theme. Herbaceous borders run the length of the garden from the glass house on the south facing wall to a Rustic Temple, designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman, on the north facing wall. The rose parterre with it sunken pool is based on the ceiling design in the White Drawing Room in the Hall. The kitchen garden, dominated by a huge fruit cage designed by the Bannermans, consists of areas of vegetables and soft fruits divided by trained tree fruits. Other areas include pleached limes, cherry walk, wisteria pergola, croquet lawn and areas planted with plum trees and spring and summer bulbs. The garden is interspersed with statues and fountains, the most recent installation being 'Waterflame' designed by Jeppe Hein. Other contemporary sculptures by artists of world renown are located throughout the gardens.