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Created in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this, the northwestern most corner of the gardens has, as its centrepiece, a wonderful, roofless temple.
Within the temple is a replica of Bernini's David, signed at the back G. Fossi. 1901, Fossi was a talented copyist of his time.
At the entrance to the temple is a pair of lead lions thought to date from the 17th century, and bearing the scars of three hundred years of thoughtless human intervention.
David Jordan - © National Trust
The lawn of the temple garden is fairly uneven due to the ploughing ridges that remind us that much of the area was turned over to agriculture during the war years.
Island planting within the garden includes a group of three Leyland Cypress that are thought to be some of the oldest in East Anglia.
These trees may be seen as green tops jutting above the canopy of the rest of the trees from the village of Stow-cum-Quy.
Surrounding the temple is a close clipped Yew hedge that creates a peaceful atmosphere for anyone sitting on the seats provided.
At the western end of the garden there has been a considerable amount of renovation carried out during the winter of 1999-2000.
This entailed the felling of several large trees to make way for the increased planting of Dawyck Beech in the circle at the end of the Cross Avenue.
Whilst this work was being carried out it was decided to renovate one of the island beds that had come to the end of its useful life.
This has now been replanted, and with the new entrance to the Cross Avenue will see the garden well into the end of this century.
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