Palladian architecture became popular in the 18th century
The Pantheon is the largest and most important builiding in the garden
Venture through the cool Grotto to meet the river god
The gardens and lake provide a number of stunning vistas
The Temple of Flora is just one of several follies to explore
Palladian mansion & world-famous landscape garden
Lying in a sleepy valley, Stourhead - named after its position at the head of the River Stour - was the first country house in the UK to be designed in the Georgian Palladian architectural style.
Temple-like columns create a grand entrance for the plain symmetrical house while Roman urns balance on the corners of the roof, walls and niches. Stone eagles, perching on giant urns, flank twin staircases. The eagle was the symbol of the Hoare family, whose vision and banking wealth created Stourhead.
Inside, decadent interiors are filled with great pieces of art and Chippendale furniture, collected by the family. The fine Regency library hosts several novels by Thomas Hardy, a family friend, and is topped by a lattice-patterned barrel ceiling.
Gentle pathways roll down from the house to the masterpiece of Stourhead - the magnificent Georgian landscape garden designed to bring art to life.
Boasting timeless temples, monuments, Palladian bridges and cool grottos, the garden marries pastoral beauty with Georgian fancies - paradise. A tranquil lake, draped by exotic trees, forms the centrepiece of the garden which is framed by sculpted woodlands and brightly coloured pelargoniums.
Paths meander out from the garden to rich and varied Wiltshire countryside, rugged woodlands and chalk downland, all filled with wildlife. Spot the Blue Adonis butterfly fluttering over the downlands, listen out for the resident pair of crested grebes on the lake, or venture into the meadows to hear the quintessentially English sound of the skylark.
Scattered over the 2,650 acres of estate are Iron Age hill forts, burial mounds and ancient hamlets. Conquer new heights and climb the 49.3 metre-high King Alfred’s Tower, a triangular folly which offers views over three counties.