Stowe: The ultimate English landscape garden

We have arranged a visit, not only to the amazing 18th century gardens of Stowe but also to the great house itself, no less amazing but more difficult to view because of its normal role as part of Stowe school.

The gardens were begun in the very late 17th century by Richard Temple, later Viscount Cobham, and the Temple family continued to develop them more or less regardless of expense for more than a hundred years. These are the only gardens on which every giant of English garden design – Vanbrugh, Bridgeman, Gibb, Kent and Capability Brown (who was Head Gardener from 1741 to 1751) - all worked.

The gardens have been the object of a meticulous restoration by the National Trust, which is still ongoing. They cover more than 250 acres and incorporate over 40 garden buildings and structures. The house is owned by a trust which has also undertaken extensive repairs to what is arguably Vanbrugh’s masterpiece (with a good deal of later input from William Kent).

We will benefit from an expert guide for the tour of Stowe House and the Head Gardener will offer a short tour of the main garden before leaving us to roam the gardens until 16h00.

After coffee and biscuits we will tour the house before lunch at the NT Café followed by a tour of the garden and depart at 16h00 to return to the Orida at 19h00.

This visit will involve walking at least a mile or two. The National Trust does have a small number of electric buggies which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Price £120 to include coach travel, coffee on arrival, access to the house and lunch. (Non-NT members will have to pay separately for access to the garden)

KGT contact - Francois Gordon 07711 76 36 55