The first Earl of Dorset greatly improved Knole, employing, it is said, 200 workmen constantly. The building surrounds three square courts and occupies about 5 acres. Knole possesses an extremely valuable collection of paintings, and the mediaeval furniture is untouched from the time of James I. There are famous pictures by Flemish, Dutch, Venetian, and Italian painters. In the dressing-room of the Spangled Bedroom are to be seen some of Sir Peter Lely's beauties. The Cartoon Gallery has copies of Raphael's cartoons by Mytens, and in the Poet's Parlour are portraits of England's famous poets--some by Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The banqueting-hall has a screened music gallery. It is said that there are as many rooms in the house as there are days in the year. The drives and walks of the large park are always open, and the house is shown on Fridays from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., and on Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 5 P.M. at a charge of 2s.; there is a reduction for a party. Tickets are procurable at the lodge. [Illustration: _Photochrom Co., Ltd._ KNOLE HOUSE. One of the finest examples of a baronial residence of the period immediately succeeding the Wars of the Roses.] GREENSTEAD CHURCH A SAXON CHURCH WITH WOODEN WALLS =How to get there.=--Train from Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street. Great Eastern Railway. =Nearest Station.=--Chipping Ongar (1 mile from Greenstead Church). =Distance from London.=--22-3/4 miles. =Average Time.=--Varies between 1 to 1-1/2 hours. 1st 2nd 3rd =Fares.=--Single 3s. 11d. 2s. 10d. 1s. 11-1/2d. Return 5s. 9d. 4s. 2d. 3s. 1d. =Accommodation Obtainable.=--Inn, etc., at Ongar.