STOKE FARM, Lord Seflon. - The grounds are not very extensive, and they are perfectly even, or uniform on the surface, having a gentle slope towards the south. The house consists chiefly of an addition made some years ago to a farm house; and, taking the place altogether, it is appropriately named. The house differs decidedly from those of the two preceding places, it being entered on one side instead of from behind, so that the principal beauties are shown from the approach road. There is a very neat flower-garden by Mr.Humphry Repton, which is kept fully stocked with pelargoniums and other showy free-flowering green-house plants. There is a very useful object here, which deserves imitation in all warm situations; viz., a large recess in a wing, connected with the house by a veranda open to the south, and furnished with tables, chairs, &c. In this loggia, as the Italians would call it, the family, when by themselves, may pass the greater part of the day, during the heat of summer. Windsor Castle, the usual distant feature of the seats in this neighbourhood, is seen from this alcove, beneath the branches of spreading trees. On the lawn opposite the entrance front are some raised beds of flowers, with ivy edgings, which have an exceedingly good effect. Indeed, we do not know any edging which looks better, or is more suitable for flower-beds on the entrance front; and none is cheaper, either in the first formation, or in after-keeping. [Editor's note: the property is now known as Sefton Park and was acquired by Hitachi Data Systems in 1992].
