The Piazza, Including Adjoining Playhouse Central Vase Monument

The Piazza, including the adjoining Playhouse, is a small semi-circular space with low rubble walls that form an arc approximately 20 meters across. The walls are topped with a beech hedge that provides a high screen. To the right of center, there is a wall fountain flanked by gaps in the wall and hedge that lead to the Gwyllt; these gaps are marked by sandstone balls on shallow chamfered bases. The fountain features a terracotta dolphin with a scallop shell basin, surrounded by an aedicular design that includes a shaped pediment with a scallop corbel and a cartouche above. Behind the dolphin is an arched opening with balusters, relief lozenges, and voluted sides. On either side of the fountain, beyond the path entrances, are life-sized classical caryatids set into the topiary screen—one on the right and two on the left. To the far left is a square angled plinth made of sandstone ashlar, topped by a smaller statue of a female classical figure. The wall and hedge continue to the left for another 6 to 8 meters, where a low rubble parapet wall with a circular terminating pier adjoins a part-metalled access lane on the northwest side.

In the center of the piazza stands a vase monument, which is a large terracotta replica of the Warwick Vase. This monument has a square classical plinth with ram's head corners and putti decoration, sitting on a two-tier circular base that is set within a decorative circular cobbled pavement.

Adjoining the eastern side of the piazza's screen wall and hedge is the Playhouse, a plain rectangular building that houses an audio-visual presentation. It features a shallow-pitched roof with overhanging eaves. The entrance is located at the front gable end, which is symmetrical. A short flight of steps leads up to a central entrance that is marginally glazed and has a decorative segmental fan above, along with flanking external wooden shutters. To the left and right of the entrance are small vertical windows with lozenge glazing and single outer shutters. The front gable has rusticated corners.