by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:25th February 2025
Let’s explore the garden’s grottoes and temples
Yes, we’re still very keen on visiting more National Trust sites in the UK, and this time, we have explored the beautiful house and majestic gardens at Stourhead in Wiltshire.
Stourhead is nestled deep within the lush English countryside between the historic cities of Wells and Salisbury. As soon as we arrived at Stourhead and approached the grand Palladian house through the striking walled gardens and spacious stable yard, we knew that Stourhead was going to deliver on style and elegance.
When you visit Stourhead, you will not only enjoy the rich history of the Hoare family home, but you’ll also be able to wend your way around the captivating world-famous landscape gardens.
The National Trust team never fail to deliver on knowledge, enthusiasm and the love of caring for these stately homes and gardens.
So, let’s grab our National Trust cards and explore Stourhead.
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Where is Stourhead?
How to get to Stourhead
- By Train
The nearest station to Stourhead is Gillingham, around 6.5 miles away. Seasonal buses are available to Stourhead, or alternatively, book a taxi in advance, which takes 15 minutes.
- By Car
Stourhead in Wiltshire is accessed off the A303 or the B3092 from Frome, following the brown National Trust signs.
There’s a free car park for National Trust members; parking charges may apply to non-members.
Stourhead postcode is BA12 6QD or you can find it by using What3words ///sobbed.inert.doll
A little bit of history on Stourhead
The Hoare family dynastyStourhead estate is set within 2,650 acres of rolling countryside, and amongst the world-famous gardens is an exquisite 18th century Palladian mansion.
In 1717, the land and the original house, Stourton Manor, were purchased by Henry Hoare I, son of Sir Richard Hoare, who founded the Hoare banking dynasty. The original manor was demolished and replaced by a grand Palladian-style villa and was named Stourhead House.
Stourhead House
Stourhead was passed down through the generations of the Hoare family, each adding their own mark to the magnificent home. Colt Hoare added wings to accommodate the continually growing art collections and a library.
However, during the late 1800s, Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare inherited the house. Unfortunately, he became the family’s black sheep; Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare liked the high life, ran up debts, and squandered the family funds. Due to a culmination of this and an agricultural depression, he had to auction furniture and paintings, and he left Stourhead in 1885.
The Temple of Flora and Palladian Bridge
Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare then inherited Stourhead from his frivolous cousin and Henry and his wife Lady Alda devoted their lives to restoring and maintaining the beautiful house and gardens.
In 1902 further distress was to follow when a fire in the central section of Stourhead House devastated the upper floors along with its contents. Astoundingly, the house was reconstructed within five years, and restoration was complete by 1907.
The steps to the Pantheon at Stourhead
Sir Henry’s son would have been the next heir to Stourhead, but unfortunately, he was killed in the First World War. In 1946, a year prior to Sir Henry’s death, he gave the Stourhead Estate to the National Trust.
Exploring Stourhead House
An elegant Palladian homeAs we strolled up towards Stourhead House, you can imagine how grand this imposing house must have looked 300 years ago. You can almost visualise horse-drawn carriages approaching the majestic, pillared entrance with ladies and gents in the fineries.
Stourhead was built between 1721 and 1725 and would have been quite groundbreaking in its day.
Closer view of Stourhead House
As I mentioned, Stourhead estate was home to many generations of the C. Hoare & Co. private banking family. As you step inside the striking entrance hall, you are greeted with the Hoare family dynasty peering down upon you.
Entrance Hall
We wend our way into the charming music room from the entrance hall. We could hear a piano being beautifully played, and as we stepped into the room, a National Trust volunteer was tickling the ivories.
You can really appreciate the Hoare family's affection for artwork; the walls were adorned throughout Stourhead.
Entertained as we wander
Now, we enter the magnificent library with the striking lunette window. The library is a stunning room; it is so light and airy, and you are automatically drawn to the bookcases to explore all the tempting titles on the old bound books.
Stourhead Library
A room for peace and reflection
The library tells the story of Lady Alda Hoare, an avid reader and friend of Thomas Hardy and his wife Emma. There are delightful ornaments, inkstands, and clocks dotted all around here, and there’s even an old set of moveable, wooden steps to reach the higher bookshelves.
Where to stay in nearby Wells and Salisbury
The Swan Hotel
This charming 15th-century coaching inn is located in the beating heart of Wells. It has plenty of character and friendly staff.
Onsite parking is available and complimentary, although limited. We have a large EV and were able to charge it overnight for free.
Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel
This welcoming city centre hotel is located in a grand Georgian building and just a few minutes’ walk to Salisbury Cathedral.
Private onsite parking is available at a reasonable daily charge.
Meandering through Stourhead House
Admiring art from floor to ceilingStourhead House is kept immaculately by the National Trust. You feel as though the Hoare family have just stepped away for a few hours, and you’re following in their footsteps. There are so many exquisite items to admire as you stroll around the grand house.
Stourhead saloon
We pass through the dining room, the vast staircase hall and the saloon, which were remodelled after the fire in 1902. The saloon was a huge room, and I imagine it being used on many occasions for entertaining the local gentry while enjoying a tot of whiskey and a game of cards.
The Italianate Room
The Pope’s Cabinet
Continuing on we stroll through the Italianate room, here, we get a glimpse of the Italian landscapes that inspired Henry 'The Magnificent's’ vision for Stourhead gardens.
Also worth mentioning is the amount of furniture within Stourhead made by Thomas Chippendale the Younger and commissioned by Colt Hoare. English craftsmanship at its finest.
When we head into the Cabinet Room, there’s a piece of intricate furniture which will take your breath away. It’s known as the Pope’s Cabinet and was created in Rome around 1585. It is one of Britain’s finest examples of Italian pietre dure cabinetmaking. Pietre dure is an Italian technique whereby extensively polished stone is inlaid within sections of the cabinet.
The Picture Gallery
One of the last rooms we pass through is the Picture Gallery. I love the National Trust for their volunteer guides; they always bring each magnificent room to life and tell you snippets of info you would never usually know.
The picture drawing the attention in this gallery is 'Penelope and Euriclea', painted by Angelica Kauffman and featured on the BBC Program 'Hidden Treasures of the National Trust'. The painting was on display at Stourhead 140 years ago, and with the support of the National Trust Fund, they were able to place the winning bid in the auction.
It’s now time to head outside.
Discovering more National Trust gardens
We’ve visited many National Trust sites and explored their beautiful gardens, which are so meticulously kept. A few places that particularly stand out for me are Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Scotney Castle, Chartwell in Kent and Nymans and Bateman’s in Sussex.
Escape for a few days
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Discovering Stourhead’s beautiful Gardens
Who doesn’t love a grotto?The beautiful, lush gardens at Stourhead are just as popular to visit as the exquisite Palladian mansion. When you wend your way towards the grand lake, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had just strolled into a classic Italian landscape.
The striking, eye-catching temples and grottos raise Stourhead Gardens to another level.
Stourhead’s ‘The Temple of Apollo’
The recommended route to stroll and the one often taken by the Hoare family, leads you through the shady woodland all around the magnificent lake and allows you to explore the incredible temples as you go. The original garden path is 2.2 miles (3.5km) and takes around 1 ½ hours.
Stourhead’s breathtaking garden was the vision of Henry Hoare II, known as Henry ‘The Magnificent’. He was inspired by landscape artists and by his three-year tour of Italy. Henry loved creating a series of enchanting vistas, each incredibly captivating from wherever you stood within the mystical landscape.
View from the grotto
The love that was bestowed upon Stourhead Garden continued through the Hoare generations, particularly with new planting from across the continents.
The views across the valley landscape were delightful.
Nymph asleep in the grotto
As we wind our way around the lake, we stumble upon the first surprise, and that’s the mystical grotto. The grotto is dark and dank; however, that’s how an eerie grotto should be, with the sound of water cascading from the natural spring and offering the perfect view through the craggy rocks across the lake.
Grottos were often installed in Italian Renaissance gardens and were used as a place to cool off from the hot summer weather.
The Gothic Cottage
Our next stop was at the Gothic Cottage, also known as the Watch Cottage. This quaint little rural cottage had a Gothic seat and porch added by Richard Colt Hoare in 1806. The views from this charming rustic cottage are stunning; you could sit there for hours gazing across the lake.
If, like us, you enjoy visiting the National Trust gardens around the United Kingdom, then grab yourself a copy of the latest ‘Gardens of the National Trust’.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book, and it won’t be long before you’re planning your next trip.
Exploring more of Stourhead’s Gardens
Temples to the godsIf the Grotto and the Watch Cottage weren’t enough to tempt you to Stourhead, I’m sure the Italian Pantheon will; it is magnificent. As you guessed, Stourhead’s Pantheon was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, and why wouldn’t you create one if you had a garden like Stourhead?
The Pantheon at Stourhead
The Pantheon in Stourhead was built in 1753-1754 and is filled with classical figures and a marble statue of Hercules. Step inside the rotunda and look up to the stunning white dome above. ‘Pantheon’ means a sacred temple to the gods.
Classical figures inside Stourhead’s Pantheon
Temple of Apollo
Strolling further around the garden pathway and weaving along the lakeside edge, we spot the circular Temple of Apollo. The temple stands proudly above us in the Wiltshire Valley landscape and is dedicated to the sun god.
The Temple of Apollo in Stourhead was built in 1765.
Stourhead Palladian Bridge
The historic Palladian Bridge in Stourhead was erected in 1762 and is made of stone. The five-arched bridge offers a simple but iconic view across the tranquil lake and the Pantheon beyond. The bridge is actually for ornamental purposes rather than practical, so you can’t cross it.
One thing I should mention regarding accessibility is that buggy tours are available; you just need to ask at reception.
Hiking the Wiltshire Countryside
The Wiltshire countryside in southwest England is perfect for hikes, discover stone circles and the Westbury White Horse. To explore 28 delightful circular walks in this region, you’ll want the Ordnance Survey Wiltshire Pathfinder guidebook no. 77.
Alternatively, why not purchase and download the OS Maps App, which covers all of Great Britain.
The quaint village of Stourton
The Bristol CrossAs we stroll away from the Stourhead Gardens, we effortlessly amble towards the tiny village of Stourton, which is also part of the Stourhead Estate.
High Street, Stourton
The handful of stone cottages along the High Street are so cute and beautifully maintained. If you want to stay in a National Trust property, take a look at 89 Church Lawn, which overlooks the Bristol Cross and the 14th century St Peter’s Church.
The Bristol Cross
The eye-catching structure that stands on the green with the Stourhead Pantheon in the background is The Bristol Cross. This ancient limestone market cross stood in Bristol’s medieval central crossroads from 1373 and had four statues of Kings and Queens upon it; a further four were added in 1633.
The Bristol Cross was given to Henry Hoare and was brought to Stourhead in 1765 using six wagons pulled by oxen. The Bristol Cross is the oldest known structure in the National Trust’s care at Stourhead.
A book you may enjoy
(Amazon Link)
The Spread Eagle Inn
There’s always time to relax at a National Trust site, either partake in a delicious cream tea, a mouthwatering ice-cream or even a local pint at the Spread Eagle Inn.
Go on, grab your National Trust membership card, and visit Stourhead in Wiltshire.
Our video of Stourhead
We have created a little YouTube video of Stourhead. Why not take a look?
Also, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel and get the latest clips as we post them?
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