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Last updated on 14 October 09
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Stowe Landscape Garden

  3.7/5 (10 ratings)

Gardenvisit Editorial

Stowe evolved from an English Baroque garden into a pioneering landscape park. The progression is of the greatest interest. Although the end result does not have quite the drama which one might expect from such a famous place, there are many fine buildings and composed scenes. In the 1690s Stowe had a modest early-Baroque parterre garden, owing more to Italy than to France. This has not survived. In the 1710s and '20s Charles Bridgeman (garden designer) and John Vanburgh (architect) designed an English Baroque park, inspired by the work of London, Wise and Switzer. In the 1730s William Kent and James Gibbs were appointed to work with Bridgeman, who died in 1738. Kent and Gibbs designed more temples. Stowe began to evolve into a series of natural pictures, to be appreciated from a perambulation rather than from a central point. Kent's Temple of Ancient Virtue (1734) looks across the Elysian Fields to the Shrine of British Worthies. A Palladian Bridge was made in 1744. In the 1741 Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was appointed head gardener. He worked with Kent until the latter's death in 1748 and his own departure in 1751. Bridgeman's Octagonal Pond and Eleven Acre Lake were given a 'natural'shape. Brown made a Grecian Valley which, despite its name, is an abstract composition of landform and woodland. As Loudon remarked in 1831, 'nature has done little or nothing; man a great deal, and time has improved his labours'. Stowe is said to be the first English garden for which a guide book was produced. The Cobham monument has been restored and shows the owner in Roman dress.
Address - Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, MK18 5EH
Opening times - March to October - open 10:30am to 5:30pm Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. November to February - open 10:30am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Closed Christmas.
Admission - Adult £7.15 (includes voluntary gift aid donation)
Website - Visit the Stowe Landscape Garden website

Designers and Influences

This garden has been designed and influenced by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, William Kent, Charles Bridgeman

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Recent Reviews

  • about 1 month ago Angela said

    Just been to Stowe today 2nd January 2010, very cold day, all the lakes frozen over with hardly any free water for the poor ducks and swans to paddle.. but it was stunning in it's wintery beauty, most of the trees were bare and there was frost everywhere.
    We walked round snapping pictures of the various monuments and admiring the scenery. There were plenty of people around but it was not crowded even though it was a lovely sunny chilly day.

    It was just the job to blow all the Christmas cobwebs away and get some fresh air and exercise after the seasons excess.
    Cold but a smashing winter's day out.

    (4.0/5)
  • 6 months ago Peter said

    we went on a Sunday visit in August. The weather was dry and sunny so that obviously helped a lot. I was impressed. Everything was clean and accessible, easy walking paths, lots to see as you walked round the park. There are about 50 outdoor monuments, mostly on ancient Greek or Roman themes, and some nationalistic British ones. So it is open parkland with two lakes, and 17th C ideas of history set in stone.

    (4.0/5)
  • 7 months ago Anonymous said

    You weren't suppose to be there anonymous! That is why they were upset at you, your stupid! And how did you get in? Climb under a fence or something? If I worked there I would be pissed too! They are probably fed up with people like Gian Franco, Marian and you visiting them!! Your complaining when you were in the wrong! She had every right to tell you to get the hell out you don't own the place so stop acting like you do!!!!

    (5.0/5)
  • 10 months ago Anonymous said

    I am a photography hobbiest and visited the Stowe Gardens just recently along with my friend, who is also a hobbiest photographer. We took pictures just for fun, and just capturing the moment. We do not, in any way, sell our pictures but only share them to our circle of friends and in flickr. When we were in Stowe gardens taking some pictures, two women identifying themselves as Stowe Staff suddenly approached us and somewhat interrogated us like criminals due to the reason they said that the garden is closed at that time! They asked questions like where we made our entrance, where we parked our cars and so on. They even cautioned us not to sell our pictures! Even if the garden was closed, which we didn't even know (no signs whatsoever) but the approach was very rude and I find it so embarrasing! My question is, Is this the kind of attitude (the staff of this garden) to show for the tourist like us? Is this the kind of promotion will the visiting tourist convey to others who are looking forward to visit the place? We are so annoyed that they said we should leave at once! For other tourist who are planning to visit this place, be aware!

    (1.0/5)
  • about 1 year ago gianfranco said

    We visited the gardens on spec on a foggy November day. As we parked the car, the mists blew away, the sun shone in its winter glory, and we thoroughly enjoyed a strong walk through the park. Obviously, no flowers, but stunning scenery, interesting monuments - particularly the gothic church - a great afternoon out! We'll be back in the Spring!

    Gianfranco and Marian, very active and of pensionable age

    (4.0/5)

See all the reviews of Stowe Landscape Garden