The significance of the Grecian Valley is the combined effect of architecture and landscape, putting it amongst the highest ranks of historic gardens.

Lancelot "Capability" Brown was appointed Head Gardener at Stowe in 1741 when only twenty six. He created an idyllic landscape in the Grecian Valley to reveal the English Landscape style which had such a huge influence in garden design throughout Britain and Europe.

Main features of the Grecian Valley

The Temple of Concord and Victory is the largest and grandest of Stowe's temples. It took years to build and once completed, was repeatedly remodelled. While Victory was later added to the apex, it is unclear whether Concord was ever installed. Inside it is decorated with a draped torso, which was found in a disused quarry on the Home Farm Estate.

The Fane of Pastoral Poetry once housed the busts now in the Temple of British Worthies. In the 1760s it was moved to frame a view of Wolfe's Obelisk.

The Cobham Monument is Stowe's tallest at 104ft - five counties can be seen from the top. A statue of Lord Cobham in Roman armour stood on the summit until 1957 when he was sent crashing down by a bolt of lightning. The figure has been recreated using the surviving head and a hand, and was recently put back into position.