A ha-ha is a landscaping feature designed to create a barrier between two areas of land, without obstructing the view. A ha-ha is a sunken wall that creates a barrier between a formal garden or parkland, and the surrounding countryside or farmland.
There are two ha-has in the Park: the Garden Ha-Ha and the Lake Ha-Ha.
Garden Ha-Ha
The Garden Ha-Ha is a listed structure at the south of the garden, probably constructed in the mid-1780s designed to allow full appreciation of the view from the gardens while excluding deer from the gardens (where they feed on the luscious green plants).
The Garden Ha-Ha surrounds the formal gardens, with 2 bridges and a passage down to the Stable Block to allow access.
In recent years an assortment of fencing has been added to try and prevent deer entry.
Lake Ha-Ha
The Lake Ha-Ha is a listed structure and was built in the late 18th century as part of a redesign of the park’s landscaping by Humphry Repton. The ha-ha was designed to create a seamless transition between the parkland and the surrounding countryside while controlling the movement of livestock.
It is now home to a wide range of aquatic plants and wildlife.
The Lake Ha-Ha was designed to take the surface water from the Hall, Industrial Museum and outbuildings and drain it into the lake via an outlet by the reed bed.
Works were carried out in 1983 to ensure this water was able to run smoothly along the Lake Ha-Ha to the outlet into the lake (see Photo below).
More recently, volunteers cleared the outlet to ensure the water continues to flow.