Activities at Stowe

The Old Dairy Bookshop at Stowe

We've started a new chapter and have moved the second-hand bookshop from the Hayloft to the The Old Dairy at Stowe. Browse through a treasure trove of second-hand books and browse the shelves for something new or an old favourite. All donations help us look after special places like this for every one, forever.

Family activities at Stowe

Get the kids outdoors with acres of space to run and stretch their legs. The gardens and park provide the ultimate backdrop for igniting imaginations and tuning into nature.

Dog walking at Stowe

Take your dog on a paw patrol to explore the gardens and parkland. Please keep them on leads at all times. You'll find plenty of water bowls on your route.

Easter egg hunt at Stowe

Our Easter adventure in nature trails have been extended into May. Discover your local family-friendly trail at Stowe with fun activities to do along the way. Complete the trail and earn your chocolate reward at the end.

'Stowedrops' and winter flowers

It won’t be long before you see the gardens bursting with snowdrops or as we fondly like to call them ‘Stowedrops’. Enjoy chilly walks in the New Year to spot the early signs of them peeping through as they develop in the masses throughout the Elysian Fields, Sleeping Wood and Lamport Garden.

Winter at Stowe

Stowe is the perfect place to enjoy crisp winter walks, with views opening up while the trees are bare. Take a moment to pause and reconnect with nature and look out for the arrival of our snowdrops.

The parkland at Stowe

There is more to Stowe than the famous landscape gardens. 1000 acres of parkland surround the gardens waiting to be explored free of charge.

Horse riding at Stowe

Enjoy getting active as well as taking in the scenery Stowe has to offer by going on a horse ride through its lyrical landscapes. Our horse riding scheme is closed, please check back when we re-open the scheme in March 2021.

Autumn colour at Stowe

Discover a kaleidoscope of colour on a variety of new walks that turn a spot light on the best of the autumn colour. Check back on September 11 for this years walks.

Valentine's Day at Stowe

From gifts to handmade chocolates, plan your Valentine's moments building up to the special day with a visit to Stowe.

Under the Hawthorn at Stowe

In the autumn of 2019, we opened the door to the Grecian Valley at Stowe for visitors to uncover how the designed landscape has inspired our predecessors and still draws creative responses today. There were opportunities to take in the restored statues and monuments on walks, guided tours, try a new digital app and read Poet-in-Residence Dan Simpson's collection of poems for Stowe.

Take part in the £125 Stowe challenge

In 2020 we're celebrating 125 years of the National Trust and to mark this special birthday, we're aiming to raise £15,000 to support a number of special projects at Stowe. And we need your help.

"Aren't we worthy?" part of Women and Power

In 2018, a century on from women achieving the vote, we explored the stories of women at Stowe. You helped to choose great British women to sit in a modern day Temple of British Worthies. The local community played an integral part in creating an exhibition - "Aren't we worthy?" Take a look at how the project began and its legacy.

Stowe secret places walk

Remember those magical childhood tales of hidden, secret gardens, which you crept into through a creaky, wooden door mantled with ivy...

• Moderate
• 2 hours
• 3.2 miles (5.1km)

Stowe advent calendar walk

This trail covers Stowe's monumental landscape advent calendar, available 1 December - 4 January.

• Easy
• 2 hours 30 mins
• 6.0 miles (9.65km)

Deer Park walk at Stowe

Walk through the rolling hills, fields and woodland of trees in the deer park, where green spotted woodpeckers and other wildlife can be enjoyed.

• Moderate
• 1 hour
• 2.5 miles (4.0km)

Lakeside walk at Stowe

Enjoy a peaceful family-friendly walk around the lakes at Stowe, looking at beautiful temples, spotting wildlife and enjoying views as you walk along. Recently upgraded paths through the wooded area allow pushchair and wheelchair access.

• Easy
• 1 hour
• 1.2 miles (1.9km)

'Stowedrop' walk

Enjoy crisp, chilly New Year's walks at Stowe and you might spot the first signs of Spring, in the form of delicate white snowdrops, or 'Stowedrops' as we like to call them.

• Easy
• 1 hour 3 mins
• 3.5 miles (5.6km)