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!