The gardens stretch over an area of 40 hectares around the Villa Reale. Behind the Serrone (Orangery), which delimits geometrical area now dedicated to the rose garden, visitors enter an area set out in the “English” style. 

This is characterized by an appearance of apparent spontaneity, but one which in reality reflects a precise overall project conceived by the architect Giuseppe Piermarini. The footpaths proceed among a rich array of trees and shrubs to reach the lake, at the end of which is a classical temple. 

From the banks, visitors can admire the leafy branches of the trees reflected in the water, with the grotto and the statue of Neptune. Alternatively, they can cross the so-called “rock garden” and descend towards the great central lawn, admiring the waterfall and the small stream that twists among the vegetation, which now begins to thin out. 

Proceeding to the left, along the prospect in front of the Villa, visitors can admire Polyphemus’ Cave, already to be seen in the celebrated illustrations to the early 19th century treatise by Ercole Silva, the neo-Gothic walls and the tower. All these are basic elements of the culture underlying the new landscape style.