Stowe Landscape Gardens & Dadford Walk

 

It is always a great pleasure to visit Stowe Landscape Gardens. I've blogged about it previously over the years so no apologies for another one. Today will be a bit different though! Rather than the classic landscaped gardens walk something a little different.There are some 700 acres of surrounding parkland with lots of footpaths and Bridleways to explore. Its a misty, murky start to the day, a promise of the sun breaking through gives some encouragement. Starting point is the striking 'Corinthian Arch'. Originally built as the grandiose entrance to Stowe to make a lasting impression on visitors. In the far distance it is just possible to make out Stowe House. One of England's grandest Ducal Palaces.

The trees are magnificent, no sign as yet of any Autumnal colours taking effect. Upper Copper Bottom Lake is on our right hand side. The path winds slightly to the right as we pass through the twin 'Boycott Pavillions'. Nothing to do with  'Sir Geoffrey' as far as I am aware? 'West Boycott Pavillion' was once actually home to the legendary Garden Designer ' Lancelot 'Capability' Brown' himself. Over to the left is the classical Oxford water and Bridge. We continue on the circular walk, which will take us towards the front of Stowe House. We turn off though to our left before reaching that point. I love the fact that there are so many unusual monuments and follies to be seen around the parkland.

'Wolfe's Obelisk comes into view on our right. Built in 1754  and dedicated to General Wolf after his battles in Quebec in 1761. We are heading to the nearby hamlet of Dadford. We pass the lake and the Equestrian Centre before picking up the footpath we need. In the distance there is the sound of roaring car engines from the nearby Silverstone Circuit. Somewhere I walked earlier in the year. There really isn't too much to report on this stretch of the walk. Although it has warmed up! Blue skies have replaced the grey and the sun is close to putting in an appearance. We loop back round towards the Gardens. The area and nearby building is called 'Muse of Pastoral Poetry', sounds very romantic doesn't it. We make our way back into the gardens close to 'Lord Cobham's Pillar. 

 

The fantastic Gothic Temple

Lady Cobham's memorial to her husband is the tallest of Stowe's monuments. (104ft). The original statue was destroyed in 1957 by lightning. My favourite though has always been the 'Gothic Temple', so atmospheric whatever the weather. We drop down to 'The Palladian Bridge' over 'Octagon Lake'. The view is stunning in all directions. It was originally built to allow carriages to cross to the house. A covered bridge with three arches,the second of three nearly identical bridges built in English gardens between 1737 and 1755. Amazing to thing that there are only  Palladian Bridges left in the world.  

Temple Of British Worthies

Built around 1735 The temple of British Worthies is Cobham's tribute to the best of British. Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, John Milton, King Alfred, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake. are all here along with many others. Not least 'Signor Fido' , his pet dog. Elizabeth I is the only female honoured.Might just raise an eyebrow in these times of equality? Across the water lies 'Elysian Fields'. The final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous in Greek mythology. It was used by Lord Cobham to underline his political opposition to Walpole and his support for Frederick, the then Prince of Wales.

Shell Bridge

Captain Grenville' Column, Erected originally in the Grecian Valley in about 1748 in honour of Captain Thomas Grenville, Lord Cobham's nephew, who was killed in action. The original statue was of Hercules but this was removed when the column was moved to the Elysian Fields in the 1750's. It is a rostral column (so called because of the ships’ prows, or rostra, that protrude from its shaft), 

The house has been restored and maintained as one of the finest country houses in the UK. Looking south across the sports pitches it is just possible to make out The Corinthian Arch from where we started earlier.In 1922, in the face of demolition, Stowe School saved the building from certain destruction. Unlike the loss and decline of many English country houses, Stowe House found a new and revived use for the twentieth and twenty-first centuries as a school for boys and girls.

 

Dido's Cave

Renamed "The Marchioness of
Buckingham's Seat".

Passing 'The Rotunda' designed as a temple to Venus.The building houses a gold statue of Venus which opens up to eight different views.We make our way down to 'Eleven Acre Lake'. The 750 acres have 40 listed temples and monuments, based around two central lakes.At the far end is a rustic looking waterfall, more of that later. For now I'm just happy to take in the beauty and tranquility of the setting. Every time I visit I always seem to miss monuments of interest. Today it is the the turn of the 'Temple of Venus'. amongst several others. There is always the next time.

Cascade & Ruins

One of the best views is through the 'Eyecatcher' between the lakes. We move on to 'Octagon Lake' with sweeping views back up to Stowe House and the Gothic Temple. We have just wandered today, in a very 'Mindfulness' type of way. However there are a number of themed paths you can embark on 'The Classics' : Vice, Virtue and Liberty this gives some context to the structures you will encounter on your way. Or 'The Moderns : The Path of the Brave. The Path of Contentment. as well as the Royal Route, Classic and Extended. Something for everyone I should say.   

 

We exit via the 'New Inn.' A number of buildings were sensitively restored including the listed Inn and adjacent outbuildings. As well as stables, coach house, kitchen and brew house which were incorporated into a new visitor centre.The restored buildings retain many of the existing features and the new buildings replicate the original detail and construction methods thereby breathing new life into what was a partly dilapidated structure. Another fantastic visit, a place of magnificence, somewhere to come back to, time and time again.