Spring through the lens at Stowe

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 garden and park.

Seasonal highlights

Stowe comes to life in spring, from the thousands of bulbs shooting through to bloom to the countless young animals being born, there's lots to enjoy on a spring saunter in the gardens and park. It's the season to be brave and throw aside the winter coat and embrace April showers - no matter what month it is. We'll be open daily this spring, 10am-5pm.

 

A view across the Octagon Lake towards Stowe House
A golden palace stretches across the horizon with a view of a lawn and lake
A view across the Octagon Lake towards Stowe House

Captured on camera

A sea of blue forget me nots covers the ground at Stowe, Buckinghamshire
The tall stems and delicate lilac flowers of coral root at Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Trees frame a view towards Lord Cobham's Pillar at Stowe, Buckinghamshire
A white egret stood in a tree at Stowe, Buckinghamshire
The cuckoo flower in the orchard at Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Snowy Mespilus at Stowe with the white bridge in the background
A bumble bee on a pink almond blossom at Stowe, Buckinghamshire

One not to forget

Stop by the Labyrinth to find this beautiful sea of forget me nots. Look out for bumble bees and butterflies enjoying the nectar and pollen.

A rare find

Look out for the bank of coral root plants in Lamport garden. Rare in the wild and only found in the Chilterns and the Weald. It is similar to Lady's smock only taller with a lilac pink flower.

Picture perfect view

Blossom is still blooming around the garden. Here a lovely cherry blossom tree is helping to frame the view towards the majestic Lord Cobham's Pillar.

Look up in the trees

Our resident little egrets are nesting on the island on Octagon Lake, sit for a while on one of the benches around the lake on your next visit and see if you can spot them flying in and out of the trees.

A sign that spring has arrived

Cuckooflowers, also commonly known as 'Lady's smock', have been spotted in the historic orchard at Stowe, on the edge of the Grecian Valley. They are thought to coincide with the arrival of the first cuckoo - a sure sign that spring has arrived at last.

Snow in the spring

Snowy mespilus flowering with lady's smock down by the water's edge near the White bridge. Thank you to Ian P who captured this lovely photo on a recent visit.

Wildlife thrives on blossom

Blossom is an important food for insects coming out of hibernation. This bumble bee was enjoying the pollen on the almond blossom in the New Inn courtyard. Take a moment on your daily walks to look out for birds, butterflies and bees enjoying the blossom trees near you - #BlossomWatch.

Spring colour

Over the past few years we've been busily planting bulbs. Altogether, a whopping 338,200 bulbs were planted – some of which now can be enjoyed.

Here are just a few spring blooms to encourage your curiosity and look out for as the season develops:

  • As you stroll down the historic entrance to the gardens, look to the outer paths for a new meadow of bluebells. The best ones can be found in the dell opposite the Sleeping Wood

  • Scilla bloom up by the Grotto within the Elysian Fields, famously designed by artist, architect and landscape gardener William Kent

  • Turk’s Head Tulips are an eighteenth-century spring bulb and can be found by the Temple of Concord and Victory

  • Old varieties of daffodils look splendid between Grenville’s Column and Stowe House

  • Discover Wood and Blue anemones in the Sleeping Wood

  • Snakeshead fritillaries were added to existing spots down Gurnet's Walk by the sleeping wood. This'll make a rare delicate meadow as often this flower pops up in lonely occurrences

  • A bright display of Tulips will surround the Chinese House

" I love Stowe in the spring. Wildflowers start to bloom, including forget-me-not, celandine and buttercups. Keep your eyes open for pollinating insects such as bees and early butterflies. The yellow brimstone is said to have inspired the name ‘butterfly’ because of its wing colour. Around Concord and Victory and in the Elysian Fields the beds start to come alive with flower amongst the newly emerged foliage. The beds around Pebble Alcove contain many cherries with their delicate pink flowers, and throughout the garden the white candlestick flowers of the Cherry Laurel impress. The orchard along Laurel Terrace has numerous ancient trees and is one of my favourite places to spend a while. The blossom of the apple trees is stunning, as well as the soundscape of bees and bird song. "

Blossom

Walk along the winding paths and take in the monumental scale of the trees as they start bursting into life with fresh leaves. Carefully crafted views frame the monuments and provide glimpses of the lakes as you meander through the gardens. When you least expect it, they'll be a sudden burst of blossom! Tree species are interspersed to create light and shade at Stowe, unlike formal gardens where you might see an en masse of colour. These selected bursts of a singular moment allow you to enjoy the spectacle of the season against the backdrop of the temples. Keep an eye out on our social media channels and share your photos of #blossomwatch. 

Pink apple blossom

Blossom became a symbol of hope 

Blossom is one of the first signs that spring is well and truly on the way, and it was a welcome sight last March as the pandemic took hold. Many of you took part in #BlossomWatch, which we launched to encourage people to share images of blossom across the country. These pictures sparked joy for many, especially those unable to get to green spaces where the trees were in bloom. From the pinker hues to the cloudy white, these delicate blossoms were a joyful sight and a reminder that warmer days were on their way. Find out how you can get involved this year.

White spring blossom is on branches revealing a statue at Stowe Play Video
Video

Spring is...

Relax and refresh body and mind on a blossom spotted walk at Stowe. What does spring mean to you?

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Through the lens

A photographer's dream, it's easy to find an inspiring view when you visit Stowe. From monumental temples to nature's beauty, share your snaps with us on Instagram.

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