 Wilson added " A stranger visiting this house, to view the country mansion of the prime minister of Great Britain, would be exceedingly surprised, to find it so insignificant in size and external appearance".Pitt engaged John Soane to enlarge the house and Humphrey Repton to improve the grounds.The grounds are close to the stump of an oak tree known as the Wilberforce Oak, easily distinguished from the surrounding trees by a stone seat constructed in its shade.