The Deepdene is one of the nation's great country estates. Its origins date back to the mid 17th Century and featured one of the earliest true Italianate gardens created by the Hon Charles Howard (1630 – 1713). The gardens are Grade II* Listed. Hope Mausoleum, built in 1818, is the final resting place of Regency arbiter of taste Thomas Hope. It was sealed in 1957 and buried to roof level soon after. Its courtyard was demolished and pediment damaged during the burial. For half a century it was forgotten, until excavation in 2010. The Embattled Tower, built in 1825 by Thomas Hope as an addition to the gardens is located by the entrance to a series of caves which ones housed Charles Howard's laboratory. The Grotto is the earliest built structure in Deepdene Gardens being built in 1780. The structures have been reinstated and repaired to their original states.