Wiltshire
Many thousands of visitors drive across the rolling downlands of south and west Wiltshire passing Stonehenge on one of the main routes to holiday destinations in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Those who do break their journey with a visit to the stone circle at Avebury, one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe, or to glorious Stourhead, are captivated by the rolling countryside of this part of the ancient kingdom of Wessex.

Stourhead
An outstanding example of the English landscape style, this splendid garden was designed by Henry Hoare and laid out between 1741 and 1780. Classical temples including the Pantheon and the Temple of Apollo, are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas which change as the visitor moves around the paths and through the magnificent woodlands with its fascinating collection of exotic trees. Built in the 1720s the Palladian mansion was home to the Hoare family, owners of Britain’s only independent private bank surviving to the present. The interior includes an outstanding Regency library, an extensive picture collection and furniture by Chippendale the Younger. There are wonderful walks around the estate’s woodland and downland with far reaching views from King Alfred’s Tower, an intriguing red brick folly, almost 160ft high and built by Henry Flitcroft in 1772. Our holiday cottage stands at the entrance to the gardens looking out across the village lane to the church. Holiday Cottage guests have free access to Stourhead Gardens during opening times and out of hours.

National Trust places nearby: Stonehenge Landscape. Shop and pub: pub and farm shop at Stourhead. Tea-room/café/restaurant: Stourhead. Other attractions: Longleat, Gillingham, Mere and Shaftesbury with the iconic Hovis hill. Activities: walking, fishing, cycling.

Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 183