Discover Stourhead House
Stourhead House is a Palladian mansion built in the 1720s, which was home to the Hoare family, who are the owners of Britain´s only surviving private bank. The entrance hall has a large collection of Hoare family portraits. The interior includes an outstanding Regency library designed by Colt Hoare in 1792 and decorated with paintings of classical scenes and furniture by Chippendale the Younger. In the gardens are classical temples, including the Pantheon and Temple of Apollo and also King Alfred´s Tower, a red brick folly built by Henry Flitcroft in 1772, almost 50m high, and all set around the central lake.
Historic House reviews from our experts
Ten of the best autumn walks
By Natalie French
The world-famous landscaped gardens on the 2,650 acre Stourhead Estate, make for the perfect family day out come autumn. Enjoy stunning views of North American maples and Japanese acers, reflected in the magnificent lake, the centrepiece of the garden.
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Five Famous TV and Film Gardens
By Veronica Peerless
In the 2005 film of Pride & Prejudice, Mr Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) makes his first proposal to Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) in a storm as they shelter in the Temple of Apollo. Lizzie rejects him, and dashes across the Palladian Bridge.
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