Stourhead
A National Trust Landscape Garden Laid Out From The 1740s By The Banker Henry Hoare II Around A Lake, With The Pantheon, The Temple Of Apollo And A Palladian Bridge Placed Like A Painting. One Of The Finest 18th Century Landscape Gardens In England. King Alfred'S Tower Stands On The Estate. · Stourton, England
Stourhead is a National Trust landscape garden at Stourton in Wiltshire, laid out from the 1740s by the banker Henry Hoare II around a lake in a way meant to look like a painting. A walk of roughly 3 km, to be confirmed on the day, takes you round the water past the Temple of Flora, the grotto, the Pantheon, the Temple of Apollo and a Palladian bridge, with each building placed for a set view. It is one of the best examples of the English landscape style, and it suits garden visitors, photographers and families with children able to walk a flat path. The Palladian house has rooms to see, though interior access and tours should be confirmed. King Alfred's Tower is a separate trip on the estate. Autumn colour is the peak and also the busiest time, with car parks and paths crowded, while winter keeps the garden open but some features may be closed, and wet weather makes paths muddy. Allow half a day. Members enter free, others pay.
Landscape garden around a lake at Stourton in Wiltshire, with a Palladian house, temples and a grotto, National Trust owned, close to the Somerset border and about 15 km from Frome, Stourton, England, United Kingdom
Stourhead garden is normally open daily through most of the year, with longer hours in summer and shorter days in winter, but exact times change by season and should be confirmed with the National Trust before you travel. The house, the grotto and some buildings keep separate or more limited hours, and some are closed in winter or for conservation, so do not assume every feature is open. The lake circuit is outdoors and can be affected by closed paths after floods or storms. The tea room, restaurant and shop close earlier in winter. King Alfred's Tower opens on set days, often at weekends in season, so confirm before you drive over.