A TUDOR estate opened its doors on Sunday for visitors to view an exquisite tribute to its architectural heritage.

The Gardens of Easton Lodge held an open day where guests caught a glimpse at an array of Japanese-themed installations.

The grounds in Dunmow were originally designed in 1902 by architect and garden designer Harold Peto, whose travels in Asia inspired various displays.

But after years of neglect, Peto’s work was tragically lost.

Luckily, a team of volunteers have this year spent months painstakingly crafting a new series inspired by Peto’s work to celebrate the lodge’s architectural past.

On show were bonsai trees, bamboo plants, a pergola, a viewing platform overlooking the fishing lake and a quaint red bridge over a stony riverbed.

In an exhibit of miniature houses at the side of the glade, one of the volunteers said: “This is based on a tea garden. You’ll notice it curves.

“In a tea garden you’re supposed to send all your cares and troubles away.”

Also on display were a series of stalls exhibiting everything from flower pots to local honey and an assortment of vegetables grown in Easton Lodge’s own walled garden.

Most architecture in the gardens remains under restoration and the trust which oversees the gardens plans to develop a new conservation management plan.

The Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust aims to preserve, conserve and protect the historic gardens.

The trust leases the gardens from Land Securities and maintains them.

With Land Securities’ permission the trust maintains the Italian garden, the walled garden, much of the woodland, lawns and grassland running from the yew walk down to the fishing lakes at the bottom of the glade.

Warwick House, the former west wing of Easton Lodge, is in private ownership.