Things to see & do
Explore the gardens
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The Grecian Valley
The Grecian Valley
The Grecian Valley is great for a circular walk, with lots of benches along the way. You can spot a wide range of flowers and seasonal interest in the shrubbery throughout the year.
© NTPL
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The Eastern Garden
The Eastern Garden
Some of the best-loved and most iconic temples and monuments are in this area of the gardens. Don’t miss the Gothic Temple, the Temple of Friendship and the Palladian bridge. And if you don’t fancy bringing your own, our tea-room will gladly supply you with suitable treats.
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The South Vista
The South Vista
It is here that you will undoubtedly be stunned by the classic view of Stowe – take in the symmetry of the house, the Lake Pavilions and the majestic Corinthian Arch.
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The Western Garden
The Western Garden
You can do a circular walk in this part of the gardens around Eleven Acre Lake – which is accessible to all now that we’ve recently improved the paths for mobility buggies and pushchairs.
Find out more about the Western Garden
© Paul Watson
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The Elysian Fields
The Elysian Fields
There are lots of spring flowers to enjoy in the Elysian Fields. As you walk out of the eerie and mythical ‘underworld’ into a bright, spacious landscape here is a great spot for a picnic.
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Stowe's cycle trail
Stowe's cycle trail
Grab your bikes and enjoy new views of the amazing temples and gardens at Stowe - from our cycle route.
© National Trust
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The parlour rooms
The parlour rooms
The parlour rooms are a great place to interact with history and get immersed in the life of a country inn from 300 years ago.
You can wander about the rooms, relax by the fire, sit at the kitchen table or play 18th-century board games such as Nine Men’s Morris.
The parlour rooms are all free to enter.
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New Inn
New Inn
Your journey starts at New Inn. By recreating the historic approach to the gardens, Stowe now provides the same famous and magnificent views that visitors first flocked to in the 1700s.
Re-enact the past with parlour games, baking days, interactive paths for children, and a new café.
The Grecian Valley
The Eastern Garden
The South Vista
The Western Garden
The Elysian Fields
Stowe's cycle trail
The parlour rooms
New InnWelcome to New Inn
Enjoy a spot of sun at the New Inn
© Linda Mellor
New Inn’s rooms have been taken back to their original look. Sounds, smells and atmosphere of its former bustle are recreated, so you can get a taste of what it would have been like to arrive here in the 18th century.
Fires are lit, boards games can be played and a cupboard of curiosities can is full of aracheological finds. There have been some colourful finds: among them scraps of exquisite wallpaper found under floorboards (63 different fragments were discovered), and bawdy words scrawled by past builders on hidden tiles.
Our new shop and café
- Large new café built in the style of a traditional barn
- Local, seasonal menus
- Sample our New Inn Restoration Ale
- Seasonal plants for sale
- New ranges of local gifts - honey, jewellery, toiletries...
- Buy garden ornaments, pots and furniture
- Toddlers Tuesdays: new games to play with every Tuesday morning
- Claydon estate vegetables served in the café
Stowe House
Stowe House is owned and managed by Stowe House Preservation Trust. Tours are available whenever the gardens are open.
What's on
We've lots of activites and events going on at Stowe over the next few months. Events include guided walks, family fun, and seasonal self-led trails to see the best of the gardens.
Jubilee activities
From cupcakes to royal rambles, we're flying the flag this June to celebrate the Jubilee. Did you know Queen Elizabeth visited us in 2007? Try to find the tree she planted next time you visit.
Family fun at Stowe
• Rugs at the ready - families love the surroundings of Stowe for a picnic
• We’ve plenty of space, so why not bring your kites to fly?
• We welcome four-legged friends and their well-behaved families
Group visits
Stowe caters especially for groups. We can offer a range of options, including tours, catering and special-rate tickets to see Stowe House.