Stowe School

STOWE owes its pre-eminence to the vision and wealth of two owners. From 1715 to 1749 Viscount Cobham, one of Marlborough's Generals, continuously improved his estate, calling in the leading designers of the day to lay out the gardens, and commissioning several leading architects - Vanbrugh, Gibbs, Kent and Leoni - to decorate them with garden temples. From 1750 to 1779 Earl Temple, his nephew and successor continued to expand and embellish both Gardens and House. The House is now a major public school. Around the mansion is one of Britain's most magnificent landscape gardens now in the ownership of the National Trust. Covering 325 acres and containing no fewer than 6 lakes and 32 garden temples, it is of the greatest historic importance. During the 1730s William Kent laid out in the Elysian Fields at Stowe, one of the first `natural' landscapes and initiated the style known as `the English Garden'. `Capability' Brown worked there for 10 years, not as a consultant but as head gardener, and in 1744 was married in the little church hidden between the trees. Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES SUMMER: House 20 March - 11 April & 5 July - 5 September Daily: 2 - 5pm Suns: 12 noon - 5pm. NB: It may be necessary to close the house at times when it is being used for private functions. Please telephone first to check. Gardens 20 March - 11 April & 5 July - 5 September Daily: 10am - 5pm. 14 April - 4 July & 5 Sept - 31 Oct Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun. Daily: 10am - 5pm. WINTER: Closed. (Suns by appointment only.