Stowe Gardens - National Trust

Hi Everyone,

A few weeks ago I got the chance to visit Stowe Gardens - a National Trust Property in Buckinghamshire. I drove a few work colleagues and myself to the garden on one of our rare sunny winter days. It was bitterly cold but the sun made it well worth visiting.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

View from the public entrance to the gardens.

Stowe has a large car park which is managed on busy days by helpful parking attendants who point you in the direction of a parking space. We were welcomed in by friendly staff who gave us a map and leaflet containing a brief history of the property and grounds. At the entrance to the property there is a clean well kept toilet, a gift shop and a cafe. Despite the cold weather the grounds were very busy with many members of the public enjoying a walk and tourists taking pictures of the house. As part of the National Trust's winter walks, Stowe was taking part in 'Stowedrops' encouraging visitors to come to the grounds to view carpets of snowdrops.

Snowdrops in the grounds.

Stowe is a fantastic landscape garden and a great example of a Georgian landscape.  The gardens were influenced and worked on my many of  England's most prominent garden designers such us William Kent, Sir John Vanbrugh and 'Capability' Brown. Each of these men left their own impact on the grounds which can still be identified today.

Temple at Stowe Gardens

Temples, bridges and grottoes provide spectacular long distance views. Each of these well cared for striking buildings are remarkable examples of Georgian architecture. The grounds are adorned with traditional Laurel and Yew. Yellow Dogwood gave a great pop of colour which grew your eyes towards the serpentine lake at the public entrance to the grounds.

View towards bridge across Serpentine waterway.

 The large house at the centre of the property is now a public school after being sold off between 1921-22. The house was then adapted to provide classrooms and accommodation for students. The grounds were gifted to the National Trust in 1989.Unfortunately I did not get a chance to participate in the tour around the house as I did not have time.

Stowe School

Overall, visiting Stowe was a great day out. I will definitely visit again in the Summer.
I hope the recent snowy weather isn't affecting any of you too badly. 
Thanks for reading. Stay warm. 😄

Additional pictures:

Roman wrestlers statue

Temple overlooking the lake.

Shell and stone grotto. Patterns on the inside show classic astrology symbols such as Aquarius, Cancer and Leo.