The gate here was the main entrance for guests staying at the New Inn or Cobham Arms in town. On arrival, they would ring a bell at the lodge for entrance. This was very much a lesser entrance than the main avenues with visitors greeted by a member of the gardening staff. Travelling tourists could also enter this way – for a fee, with extra chargeable if they wanted a tour from the gardener. The Shilling and six-pence charged for entry in the 1700s means the gardens were clearly spectacular and well known to be worthy of travelling to visit.