A Walk around Stowe Gardens.

Mark and I have been going out most days recently - making the most of the sunny weather while we have it.  I think on average we have been walking 6 - 8 miles a day, so should be getting fit as well.

Today we went to Stowe Gardens.  It was lovely and quiet as all the school holidays are now over and all the children are back to school.

We try to visit places we can take Percy to, and this is one of them and he enjoys the walks as much as we do.

This little finch was flitting around the outside eating area...hoping for scraps no doubt!

Not sure what this plant is, but it was quite unusual and attractive.

Stowe has a huge amount of unusual buildings and monuments.  This of course is built in a Gothic style.

There were some cute lambs in the fields.

The Chinese House - I think we missed this last time we were there.

Looking up towards the fields with the sheep and lambs in and also the Gothic House.

The Folly

Loved the reflections.

It was an enjoyable afternoon walk.

An Afternoon at Stowe Gardens

Today we had an enjoyable afternoon at Stowe Gardens in Buckingham.  These gardens are National Trust and free for members to visit.

Stowe House.

These grand gardens of around 250 acres were created by Lord Cobham in the 18th Century.  Lord Cobham was a highly influential aristocrat and politician and the family at the height of their wealth and power were richer than the King and the gardens were a bold statement to show this.  These gardens very quickly became on of the country's first tourist attractions and visitors have been coming to the gardens for over 300 years.

Palladian Bridge

Looking down the lake from the bridge.

Pebble Alcove

Gothic Temple

Temple of Friendship

Mark & Percy

Some of the sheep that roam part of the grounds.

Mark, his Mum and Percy

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Saxon Dieties who gave their names to the seven days of the week.

Lord Cobham's Pillar

Temple of Concord and Victory

Lord Cobham's Pillar

Fane of Pastoral Poetry

Temple of British Worthies

Shell Bridge

Temple of Ancient Virtue

Percy enjoying the gardens.

Looking across the Octagon Lake

Eastern and Western Lake Pavilions.

Looking down towards the Palladian Bridge

Cascade and Artificial Ruins

A fabulous day that ended with a cream tea!