Garden walls, steps and terracing at Glen Usk

The architectural framework of the garden at Glen Usk comprises a wall enclosing the garden to the north, between house and stable yard (perhaps part of the original garden layout), a secondary wall defining a terrace parallel to the east elevation of the house, and a terraced walkway parallel to its south elevation, continuing for some distance east of the house. These walls are all sandstone rubble with plain copings; a series of urn finials define the boundary wall to the north; the eastern terrace wall has piers with ball finials flanking steps, and terminal piers with urn finials. South terrace has flagstone paving, and high retaining wall to south, the parapet (with open-work sections) stepped out to form alcoves overlooking the tennis court. There are flights of stone steps between each level of the terrace. At tennis-court level, the wall is articulated by pilasters either side of an advanced central section and cornice below parapet. Central alcove with voussoirs to doorway, and flanking lights. Doorways with similar detail in outer bays (that to east blocked). Repairs to stone-flagged terraces and steps in progress (January 2005).