Walking trail
Deer Park walk at Stowe
Enjoy the open and peaceful setting of the deer park. Green spotted woodpeckers and other wildlife can be seen in the parkland of rolling hills, fields and groves of trees.
Spot the longhorn cows and sheep that are living lawnmowers in this pastoral scene, helping to control fast-growing grasses and plants so that the meadows are rich with swathes of wildflowers in the summer.
Map
Start:
Stowe Parkland car park, Stowe, grid ref: SP670377
1
Start your walk from the parkland visitor car park beside Home Farm. Walk up the hill on the gravel track towards the main track, where you will see a view of the north front of Stowe House.
Dead oak tree
This dead oak tree provides invaluable habitats for invertebrates. Standing dead woods are also important for other wildlife such as green woodpeckers, which have a characteristic dip-dip flight and can often been seen pecking on trees and feeding on insects on the mounds of mole hills in the parkland.
2
Turn left at the main track and walk up the main tarmac track. At the top of the track, look out for signs of badgers latrines and deer prints, as they are frequent night-time visitors of Stowe.
Stowe House
From the parkland there is a wonderful view of the North Front of Stowe House with its ornate columns, colonnades and magnificent neoclassical architecture that was very fashionable in the 18th century. Stowe House is considered to be the most stunning temple in the gardens. Created by Lord Cobham, Stowe House was built to resemble a palace for the great and rich.
3
At the bridleway crossroad, go through the gates on the left and walk across a small field towards another small gate. Go through the gate and immediately turn left to follow the track up to General Wolfe's Obelisk, which is a tall and proud monument that commemorates the victorious achievements of General Wolfe who was killed in action at the battle of Quebec.
Sheep in the parkland
The imagery of idealised and peaceful scenes of nature and pastoral landscape were very popular in the 18th century. Today the sheep and long-horn cows graze the parkland, maintaining the tranquil atmosphere and pastoral peace in a perfect parkland.
4
At General Wolfe's Obelisk, enjoy the view of the parkland and trees that are planted in a regimental formation to conjure images of General Wolfe's successful army in battle. Follow the main grass path towards the ridings, go through a gate and continue following the grass path as it descend down the field towards the stream at point 5.
5
At the stream, follow the waymarker and turn left to follow the grass path towards the Haymanger Pond. From here you can see a lovely view of the ridings and horses, towards the direction of Stowe Corner at Silverstone.
6
At the Haymanger Pond, follow the boundary of the field. Go through the gate and continue to the remains of the Walled Garden.
7
At the Walled Garden, continue on the grass path back down towards the parkland visitor car park by Home Farm.
8
For an extension to your walk and a close-up look at the Conduit House from Home Farm, retrace your steps and follow the path along the valley bottom which will lead you towards the Conduit House.
Conduit House
Once the centrepiece to a grove of trees, this monument helped to create the image of a perfect pastoral scene. Up until the 1950s the vaulted well beneath supplied spring water to Stowe House.
End:
Stowe Parkland car park, Stowe, grid ref: SP670377
