It's been a long time since I've visited one of the many state houses in England. This weekend just gone is probably the last of the summer weather we have this year and I took the opportunity to go to Stourhead in Wiltshire with my family.
Stourhead House
Stourhead House was built in 1721 by an English banker called Richard Hoare, It took 4 years to complete but sadly Richard died before it was fully completed. The house is built in Palladian style which was popular in England those days, and focus on symmetry, proportion and balance, with one side of the building a mirror image of the other; the use of temple fronts (a pediment supported by Corinthian columns or pilasters) and large tripartite Venetian windows. Source
To be very honest, Stourhead House isn't one of the grandest or most impressive house I've visited. In fact I'd rate the hourse pretty low compared to all the others I've visited such as Basildon Park or Chatsworth House. This is probably due to the fact Hoare was one of the many nouveau riche in 18th century England as opposed to the traditional aristocrat.
That said, compared to your and my home, this is still a very grand and impressive house. The Hoare family was a great collector of art and I'm sure art lovers will enjoy browsing through the collection on display in many of the rooms.
One item that impressed me the most was The Pope's Cabinet. This cabinet was made in the 16th century in Rome, and used to belong to Pope Sixtus V. It's beautifully made with intricate designs and adorned with semi precious stones. Not only does it look beautiful outside, but the inside is even more fascinating. I'm told the cabinet has 153 drawers, and many are hidden!!! It's a great way to hide treasures, but you might forget where you've hidden it!
Lakeside Garden
The house was a bit of a let down, but luckily it isn't the focus of the visit. Do not despair, I have something much better for you. How about this view? Isn't it just gorgeous! Do you see the arch bridge? I'll come back to that in a minute.
The Hoare family wanted to create a paradise, and they certainly achieved that with the Lakeside Garden and the magnificent lake in the center. It's called a garden but it's not like your and mine garden at the back of our house. The whole Stourhead estate is about 2.5 acres, and the walk from the Stourhead House through the lush woodlands and around the lake is about 3.5 kilometers. It took us over an hour and was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my family.
On the way we passed by the famous Palladian Bridge (below). That's the arch bridge we saw in the earlier image from across the lake. This photo is taken by the bridge. The reason I wanted to point out this bridge, is first, you can see how big this lake, and hence the garden is. And second, it is one of the many architectural features created in this stunning garden.
The landscape and architectural features in the garden make this a truly relaxing stroll. No matter where you go, there is always something photogenic that makes it irresistible to capture on camera. Such as the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is based on the Pantheon in Rome, and was built in the 1750s. It's the biggest building in the garden, and also built in Palladian style. Along with the lake and the Palladian Bridge, it's definitely one of the big three highlights of the garden.
Being rich has many advantages and one of them is to indulge yourself. Hoare Junior wanted somewhere in the garden where he and his family could chillout and relax, maybe have a picnic or even a party. Why not build a Pantheon for that? Originally the building was open top looking out into the sky, and there was a stove behind Hercules for warmth. After recent years of restoration, a ceiling was installed to protect the interior and the statues.
The visit to Stourhead this weekend will hold a special place in my heart. Its remarkable landscape garden is one of the finest I've visited, though the same can't be said of the House. What's most memorable to me, is the family outing with my three sisters and their family. It's not that often the ten of us plus two babies get to go out together and it's these special occasions that make it a special day. Plus of course, it get to go on a walk with my favorite adorable great nephew Arthur 😍
