The Residence's symmetrical garden with double stairs and paths make it one of the most famous features in Washington, DC.

The design leads the visitor from the walk between two borders and down onto the lawns via an engaging double-stair: ancient Roman by origin, this has been used in countless gardens since the Renaissance (including the landscape at Claremont, Surrey, where it is large and grassed) and consists of five concave steps which bans form themselves into another convex set pushing outwards. At the centre of the circular platform is the Barbara Hepworth Single Form sculpture, which guides the visitor back from the lawn into the main garden across the miniature 'stage' of the staircase.

The rose garden is famous in Washington and is at its best in May and June. The roses are varieties of hybrid tea, and the same varieties are concentrated together producing dramatic splashes of colour.

The herbaceous border was re-designed by Sir Antony and Lady Acland in the 1980s and planted largely with perennials, and with low plants of greens and greys, spilling over onto the stone walks on either side. This produces a particularly English effect - difficult to achieve in the Washington climate, but at its best from May to July.

The Aclands also added a herb garden next to the kitchen wing with a key pattern hedge of holly to contain it. Lady Acland also added a picking/cutting garden close to the greenhouses and newly built garden sheds. This is invaluable in any English country house and particularly in an Embassy with its many guests and constant entertaining. Lady Lindsay, Lady Dean, and Sir Peter and Lady Ramsbottom who designed the Japanese garden, have been particularly involved with the planning and development of the garden.

The lawns are surrounded by mature trees, including several planted by members of the Royal Family. There are also dogwoods, maples, magnolias, crab-apple, cherries and a weeping beech. A small new 'secret' garden has recently been added below the swimming pool area with shrubs and perennials and featuring a stone seat made from the cornerstone of the original residence in Connecticut Avenue. It has the original royal cypher VR on the front and was a gift from Mr. Bates McKee to the English-Speaking Union who have kindly given it to the British Embassy on permanent loan.

There are two bronze statues in the gardens: Single Form (Eikon) by Dame Barbara Hepworth and Sleeping Horse by Dame Elisabeth Frink. This latter has become a distinctive and much loved feature of the garden.

Move on to the Churchill Statue