Stourhead House and Gardens

Inspired by the paintings of Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Poussin, Stourhead is arguably England’s most fabled garden, and one that has long elicited superlatives. It is the most celebrated example of the 18th-century English landscape gardening. Stourhead’s poetic vistas and landscapes punctuated with architectural highlights such as neoclassical Pantheon, a grotto, and temples built to Flora and Apollo create a classical effect that is the finest of its genre in England, the prototype much mimicked around the world in private and public gardens alike. The 18th-century Palladian-inspired house, whose beautiful interior is also open to the public, was the home of a wealthy local banking family. “Henry the Magnificent” Hoare, inspired by a Grand Tour of the Mediterranean, decided to re-landscape his estate’s 100-acre grounds upon his return home. Although Stourhead is a garden for all seasons, perhaps amongst most romantic walks would be one in early fall along the footpaths that wind around a chain of small manmade lakes, or in the summer when the famous dells of rhododendrons and camellias are in full bloom.

Events

The Stourhead offers many events for visitors including guided tours, arty afternoons, photography masterclasses, etc. To find out about events on the day of your visit go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.

Opening times

Notes: Restaurant & shop closed 25 Dec. How far from the Lamb? 20 minutes by car

Garden	Mon-Sun
All year	9am - 7pm
House	Except Wed & Thu
18 Mar - 31 Oct	11am - 5pm
Tower	Mon-Sun
18 Mar - 31 Oct	12am - 5pm
Restaurant	Mon-Sun
1 Mar - 31 Mar	10am - 5pm
1 Apr - 30 Sep	10am - 5:30pm
1 Oct - 31 Oct	10am - 5pm
1 Nov–28 Feb	10:30am - 4pm
Shop	Mon-Sun
1 Mar - 31 Mar	10am - 5pm
1 Apr - 30 Sep	10am - 6pm
1 Oct - 31 Oct	10am - 5pm
1 Nov - 28 Feb	10:30am - 4pm