Stowe House & Garden Review, History & Visitor Guide

Wish my school looked like this.

Stow School looks more like a Royal residency.

The arching pillars remind me of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Step inside the Marble Saloon room and admire the intricate detail of the frieze. Look above you and you’ll find a Pantheon styled dome streaming light into the room.

Through the huge doors you can see the lush green grounds for miles. Take a moment to enjoy the view from the top of the staircase before making your way down.

Stowe School has kept and re purposed a number of the gorgeous buildings surrounding the main house which gives you a sense of the history.

Stowe Gardens offers a number of walks viewing the gorgeous monuments and temples you can take around the grounds, which are signposted, in elegant fashion of course.

I was instantly struck by The Rotunda from a distance. It’s hard to believe it’s in the middle of Stowe Golf Course. The Temple is home to a gold statue of Venus.

Walking around the grand lake, I came across the Ruin On The Cascade. Apparently, it’s an artificial ruin which fooled me. Either way, this was my favourite place in the whole of Stowe Gardens, House and School. It was like peering through a window into another world.

Another peaceful area of Stowe Gardens are the yellow pavilions across the lake.

Walking to an even more remote part of the gardens, I noticed this abandoned Gothic Temple. The architecture is stunning. It also has a wonderful rust red colour suggesting it has been worn by the weather and acid rain for sometime.

As I took photos trying not to disturb the sheep roaming and pooping (lots of it, it was a minefield) around the church, I noticed a window was open. That’s odd I thought. Maybe it’s not abandoned after all… leg it! The Gothic Temple sleeps 4 apparently…

The Temple of British Worthies in the Elysian Fields, designed by William Kent, is a homage to the great thinkers and doers in British History including busts of William Shakespeare, Francis Bacon and Isaac Newton.

The day finished with the most wonderful sun setting a bright orange past the Cricket club.

Here are the rest of the photos from my walk around the landscape gardens.

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History of Stowe House

Stowe House is one of Britain’s grandest stately homes, located near Buckingham in Buckinghamshire. Built in the late 17th century by Sir Richard Temple, it was transformed in the 18th century into a neoclassical masterpiece by successive generations of the Temple-Grenville family. Architects like John Vanbrugh, William Kent, and Robert Adam contributed to its design, while landscape legends such as Capability Brown shaped the surrounding gardens.

The house became a symbol of political power and artistic ambition, hosting royalty and statesmen. However, extravagant spending led to financial collapse, culminating in a massive auction in 1848. In 1923, the estate was saved from ruin by the founding of Stowe School, which still occupies the building today. Restoration efforts led by the Stowe House Preservation Trust have revived its splendour. Visitors can now explore opulent state rooms, learn about its dramatic history, and enjoy views across one of England’s finest landscape gardens.

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10 Interesting Facts About Stowe House

1. The house has over 400 rooms and one of the longest façades of any country house in England.
2. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed here for three days in 1845.
3. The Marble Saloon was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.
4. The Medici Lions on the South Front were sold in 1921 and returned in 2013.
5. The Egyptian Hall reflects early 19th-century fascination with Egypt.
6. The house was once home to the Comte de Paris, claimant to the French throne.
7. The Temple of British Worthies in the garden features busts of Shakespeare, Newton, and Elizabeth I.
8. The estate’s gardens were the first in England to have a printed guidebook.
9. The house was nearly lost to debt — the 1848 auction lasted 40 days.
10. Restoration has cost over £27 million and continues today.

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Things to See and Do at Stowe House

• Tour the State Rooms
  Explore the Marble Saloon, State Dining Room, Library, and Egyptian Hall. Each room showcases lavish decoration, classical themes, and hidden messages from the Temple-Grenville family.
• Visit the Discovery Centre
  Learn about the house’s history, restoration, and famous residents through interactive displays and museum pieces.
• Join a Guided Tour
  Choose a 20-minute taster or a 45-minute full tour to hear stories of ambition, scandal, and transformation. Guides bring the house’s colourful past to life.
• Admire the David Wynne Sculpture Collection
  Spot bronze maquettes throughout the house, including figures of The Beatles, Prince Charles, and mythological creatures.
• Relax in the Visitor Centre
  Enjoy drinks, cakes, and light bites in the café. Browse the gift shop for unique souvenirs and second-hand books.
• Explore the Gardens
  While managed by the National Trust, the gardens are directly accessible from the house. Discover temples, lakes, and sweeping vistas designed by Capability Brown.
• Attend Seasonal Events
  Look out for rooftop tours, family trails, and creative workshops. Events offer behind-the-scenes access and hands-on activities.
• Enjoy a Picnic
  Spread out on the lawn near the visitor centre and soak in the views. Picnic tables and water bowls for dogs are available.
• Browse the Art and Architecture
  Marvel at ceiling frescoes, Corinthian columns, and Palladian symmetry. The house is a textbook of Georgian design.
• Combine with a Garden Visit
  Pair your house tour with a walk through the Elysian Fields, Grecian Valley, and Gothic Temple in the surrounding landscape.

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Practical Information for Visiting Stowe House

• Location: Stowe House, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH
• Opening times: Summer (Mar–Nov): Daily 10:30am–4:30pm; Winter (Nov–Mar): Weekends only 10:30am–3:30pm
• Entry: Adults £9.50, National Trust members £7.50, under 16s free with paying adult; Historic Houses members free
• Parking: Free on-site; allow time to walk from New Inn entrance
• Accessibility: Ground floor accessible; upper floors via stairs; accessible toilets available
• Dogs: Allowed on leads in visitor centre and grounds; not in museum or state rooms
• Food: Café on site with indoor/outdoor seating; picnic areas available
• Toilets: Accessible and baby-changing facilities on site
• Nearby: Stowe Gardens, Silverstone Circuit, Buckingham town centre
• Official website: Stowe House Preservation Trust