Stowe

Go behind closed doors to discover the real daily secrets of the National Trust at Stowe on Friday 1 June to see how the world famous gardens are cared for by volunteers and have a go at different activities to try your hand at helping out.

Move out of the way winter, and put a spring in your step with bright days reflecting rays across the glittering lakes, the chatter of birdsong filling the air and crisp breezes that take your breath away on refreshing walks in the gardens.

Get the kids outdoors with acres of space to play and stretch their legs. Adventures await your family with so much to discover whatever their age from the temples, lakes, wildlife and fun activities.

A century on from women achieving the vote, we're exploring the stories and impact of women and their influence on the gardens at Stowe. Throughout the year, help us choose great British women to sit in our modern day Temple of British Worthies, vote for your worthy women and return in autumn to see who was chosen.

Take your dog on a paw patrol to explore the gardens and parkland. Please keep them on leads at all times. We provide water bowls outside the cafe for refreshment, treats in the shop and join our monthly guided dog walks.

Stowe House is perhaps the greatest temple of all here at Stowe and, although not owned by the National Trust, it is also open for tours.

Embrace the sunshine and get outdoors for family adventures this half-term between 26 May and 3 June. Let the kids run wild with the freedom to explore, jump, climb and go hunting for bugs with this exciting programme of activities, available throughout the week whatever the weather.

Big camp at Stowe is back for 1 - 3 August. An exciting chance to camp out by the Temple of Friendship for two nights and immerse yourself in the monumental world of Stowe. Tickets are now available, book now to avoid disappointment.

Tuck in to seasonal meals freshly prepared by our chefs using locally sourced ingredients. We can cater for dietary needs and have family friendly menus too.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift, a memento of your visit or a treat for yourself, we’re sure you will find something here. We support local suppliers by showcasing a large range of gift cards, books, local crafts and produce, including confectionery, cider and fragrances for body and home. Every purchase contributes directly to the work being undertaken at Stowe.

Each month we'll be bringing you a new edition of Gardener's ramblings from our team member Anna Tolfree. Here you'll find the latest edition and a back catalogue of our gardening work. Watch this space for future insights behind the scenes with the Trust team at Stowe.

2015 saw the start of a new phase of restoration for the gardens at Stowe. The Landscape Programme comprises of 54 tasks taking place over five years to reinstate many of the lost temples and monuments that once ‘dressed’ the gardens like pieces of a theatre set whilst undertaking maintenance on structures and lakes. Read more and keep up to date here.

Subtle gardening and major works have all helped to make the restoration of the gardens at Stowe appear as though it were always the way you see it today. Discover our work since 1989 in this behind the scenes feature with some surprising images of the gardens in their dilapidated days.

If you’ve got some spare time to lend a hand and would like to learn something new or share in a passion you have, then we’d love to hear from you. There’s a variety of positions available for volunteers, or tell us what interests you most.

If you have a workforce of employees and wish to support a charity, Stowe is a great place to choose. We have a dedicated programme of activities for groups to participate in, whilst helping our gardening team achieve projects with mass help. What will take our team of four gardeners months to complete, will in comparison take one day for a group of 20 or more volunteers to achieve.

Stowe is a fantastic place to bring groups, with great facilities and access.

Our famous landscape gardens provide the perfect setting to inspire and encourage curiosity. We can work with you to ensure a memorable visit for your students.

There are so many stories to tell, unravel the layers of history with this broad look at Stowe's timeline and a treasure trove of articles that take a closer peek at the detail.

Stowe through the centuries has been created by a multitude of famous gardeners, artists and architects. Reveal the story of the gardeners at Stowe and how they shaped the landscape.

From the big to the small, fluffy to the scaly, discover some of the animals that call Stowe home

The gardens never sleep, find out about some of the animals who venture out after dark