Stowe Gardens
A grand folly.
Stowe Gardens – a grand folly. Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire is a curious and vast park to visit. Over 245 acres with follies randomly situated over the undulating paths it would probably take three visits to cover it all.
The park has a long history going back to the 18th Century, most recently designed by Capability Brown, giving it a less formal and more natural landscape. It is regarded as one of England’s greatest Georgian landscapes.
Sadly in the 18th century it went into financial decline under the second Duke of Buckingham, leading to neglect and bankruptcy. After the sale of the house in 1921 it was not until as recently as 1989 before the National Trust was gifted the gardens and began to restore them.
There are over 30 temples and monuments to explore. In one walk we started with a Palladian bridge, then on to a Chinese pavilion, followed by a Gothic temple. There are various temples of lesser interest. The walks in themed such as ‘liberty’ and ‘virtue’.
As we walked around the park there are the two main lakes with connecting rivers and a water feature. The paths are sometimes grand avenues or winding through woodland, largely undulating with occasional surprising little features or stunning vistas taking in a pillar or temple.
Stowe Gardens – a grand folly. Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire is a curious and vast park to visit. Over 245 acres with follies randomly situated over the undulating paths it would probably take three visits to cover it all.
The park has a long history going back to the 18th Century, most recently designed by Capability Brown, giving it a less formal and more natural landscape. It is regarded as one of England’s greatest Georgian landscapes.
Sadly in the 18th century it went into financial decline under the second Duke of Buckingham, leading to neglect and bankruptcy. After the sale of the house in 1921 it was not until as recently as 1989 before the National Trust was gifted the gardens and began to restore them.
There are no flower or vegetable gardens here. The House is completely separate in terms of visiting and payment. It is probably more suited to National Trust members nearby to visit for walks. Stowe Gardens is certainly worth a visit for its aristocratic ambition and peaceful contemplation.
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