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Stowe Gardens
Gardening on the grandest scale in this Georgian landscape garden and park
Stowe Gardens, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5EQ
Important notice
Please note our indoor cafe will be closed from November 27 - mid December for refurbishment. A takeaway service will be in place from our kiosks during this time.
Opening times for 1 December 2023
Asset Opening time Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Café 10:00 - 16:00 Park 10:00 - 16:00 Parlour Rooms and Bookshop 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 11:00 - 16:00 Please note our indoor cafe and courtyard seating will be closed from November 27 - mid December for refurbishment. A takeaway service will be in place from our kiosks during this time. Thank you for your patience whilst we make important improvements.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £14.30 £13.00 Child £7.20 £6.50 Family £35.80 £32.50 1 Adult, up to 4 Children £21.50 £19.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Available for functions
Please email us for more details.
Guided tour
Guided tours are advertised on site daily.
Book shop
Second-hand bookshop is in the Old Dairy within the Parlour Rooms.
Kiosk
Visitor information kiosk available.
Cafe
Hot meals served between 12 noon-3pm.
Licenced for civil weddings
Please email us for more details.
Car park
Free parking for members and non-members. Plenty of accessible parking available.
Plant shop
Plant shop is attached to the main shop.
Coffee shop
Shop
Our shop is open daily from 11am.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on leads throughout the garden, parkland, shop and Parlour Rooms. Assistance dogs only are allowed in the café. You are very welcome to make use of our water bowls around site. Please pick up after your dog and place it in the doggy bins provided. Monthly dog walks available.
Toilet
Toilets available at New Inn and the entrance to the garden (including accessible toilet). Baby change facilities available at New Inn. Additional accessible toilet located in the corridor outside the cafe. New Inn and cafe corridor toilets are fitted with automatic hand-dryers.
Gardens are partly accessible, with uneven and hard gravel paths, hoggin and grass paths, and some steep slopes. 800m walk from the car park to the garden (free shuttle service available). Accessible car parking. Dogs on leads welcome – assistance dogs only in the café. Accessible toilets available.
Accessible route and/or map
Our team can speak through the best routes to get around the gardens.
Powered mobility vehicle available
You can hire our single or double mini-crossers or manual wheelchair for free; to book please call or email us. You are welcome to bring your own all terrain vehicle if you have one.
Accessible toilet
Toilets available at New Inn and the entrance to the garden (including accessible toilet). Baby change facilities available at New Inn. Additional accessible toilet located in the corridor outside the cafe. New Inn and cafe corridor toilets are fitted with automatic hand-dryers.
Ramped access/slopes
Available for special events.
Designated parking
Free parking for members and non-members. Plenty of accessible parking available.
Seating available
Seating is available at regular intervals along the visitor route. Picnic benches available in the picnic area to the left of the New Inn. Indoor and outdoor seating available for the café.
Induction loop
Induction loops supported in the café, shop and Bell Gate kiosk.
Stairclimber
Available for special events.
Level access to food outlet
Large-handled cutlery available on request.
Steps/uneven terrain
The gardens include uneven and hard gravel paths, hoggin and grass pathways, steep slopes, and are hilly in places. There are some steps within our Parlour Rooms at New Inn.
Level access to shop
Transfer available
Please be aware that there is an approx. 800m walk from the car park to the garden. Our shuttle buggies are available upon request if you require assistance getting to and from the garden. Please speak to a member of the team on arrival to make use of the buggy service.
Level access/terrain
The gardens include uneven and hard gravel paths, hoggin and grass pathways, steep slopes, and are hilly in places.
Virtual tour
Enjoy Stowe Gardens from the comfort of your own home: https://tourmkr.com/F1KTi5IcLP/36998734p&332.39h&106.26t
Narrow corridors
There are some narrow corridors within our Parlour Rooms at New Inn.
Wheelchairs available
You can hire our single or double mini-crossers or manual wheelchair for free; to book please call or email us. You are welcome to bring your own all terrain vehicle if you have one.
By road
3 miles north-west of Buckingham town, just off the A422 Buckingham to Banbury Road. From M40 take exits 9 to 11, from M1 exits 13 or 15a. Stowe is signposted with brown tourist information signs from local routes. Entry to National Trust Stowe Gardens is via Stowe Avenue only. Turn right in front of the Corinthian Arch and approach car park slowly. Check your route before you travel.
Parking: Parking is free for members and non-members
Sat Nav: MK18 5EQ
On foot
1½ miles from Buckingham, take a stroll up Stowe Avenue for monumental views to arrive at The New Inn.
By train
There are a number of train stations nearby: Bicester North 9 miles; Milton Keynes Central 14 miles. Taxis are available at all stations. Direct connections from London Marylebone and Euston stations both with only a 50 minute journey.
By bus
Stagecoach X5 bus runs Oxford to Cambridge stops in Buckingham town, 1.5 miles from Stowe. The Arriva X60 bus runs from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes, stopping in Buckingham town, 1.5 miles from Stowe. On arrival at Buckingham High Street, walk uphill and on to West Street, continuing on the A422 until you reach a right turn for Stowe Avenue. Follow the 1.5 mile avenue until you reach the New Inn.
By bicycle
1½ miles from Buckingham, take a ride up Stowe Avenue for spectacular views to arrive at The New Inn where you'll find cycle racks located in the middle of the car park on the left next to the visitor path.
Planning your visit
Article
Accessibility at Stowe Gardens
Find out about visiting Stowe Gardens with accessibility needs, including best routes, access statement and free entry for carers.
PDF
Article
Visiting Stowe Gardens with your dog
Stowe Gardens is a three pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome on leads across the garden and parkland. Find out more about what to be aware of when walking your dog and the facilities available.
Article
Christmas at Stowe
Join us at Stowe this Christmas to make memories as you reconnect with family and friends at festive events and activities.
Venue hire
Article
Venue hire at Stowe Gardens
Find out more about hiring Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire for weddings, photoshoots, filming and private/corporate events.
Highlights
Garden
18th-century landscape garden with expanses of grass, framed by trees, temples, monuments and shrubs, and reflected in tranquil stretches of water. 250 acres open for exploration. Whether you come for walking, socialising, creative pursuits, quality time, well-being, dog walking, having a picnic, or running wild, Stowe Gardens is what you make it.
Parkland
Grand avenues, secluded woods and monuments dot the parkland with areas created by 'Capability' Brown. 750 acres of wonderful walks, bridleways and wildlife watching. You'll also glimpse a few historic highlights in the landscape.
House
Filled with rooms imitating ancient worlds and classical ruins, the house reflects the flamboyant characters of its creators. Stowe House is not owned by the National Trust. Please visit their website for details on opening: www.stowe.co.uk/house
Things to see and do
Standing with Giants
Visitors to Stowe between 19 October 2023 and 4 January 2024 will be able to walk amongst the silhouettes of 200 life-size soldiers in the historic landscape gardens. This large-scale art installation will be a moving statement of commemoration, remembrance and honour, offering visitors space to reflect and connect with the natural landscape around Octagon Lake.
Article
Things to do in Stowe's landscape garden
Discover the stories behind the paths of vice, virtue and liberty that run throughout Stowe Gardens and the individual beauty and significance of each area.
Article
Exploring the parkland at Stowe
There’s more to Stowe than the famous Georgian landscape garden. Discover more views and monuments in the 1,000 acres of parkland surrounding Stowe's garden.
Article
Christmas at Stowe
Join us at Stowe this Christmas to make memories as you reconnect with family and friends at festive events and activities.
Article
Visiting Stowe House
At the heart of Stowe's garden is Stowe House, which is not owned by the National Trust. Discover how you can visit for refreshments and tours at certain times.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Stowe Gardens
Pop into the shop and plant centre for the perfect gift or plant for your garden and enjoy hot or cold drinks and food made fresh at Stowe Gardens every morning.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Horse riding at Stowe Gardens
Exploring Stowe Gardens on horseback is a great way to experience the landscape, sightlines and views designed to reveal the buildings, statues and monuments located across the grounds.
Top trails
Trail
Stowe parkland walk
Explore the rolling hills, fields and groves of Stowe's peaceful parkland, taking in a pond, a monument to a famous soldier, an ornate temple and the local wildlife.
Trail
Lakeside walk at Stowe Gardens
A 1.2-mile family-friendly walk along the lakeside path at Stowe Gardens, taking in the temples and pebble alcoves along the way.
Upcoming events
Event
A Winter’s Tail – Seasonal Wildlife Trail at Stowe Gardens
What will you find on this seasonal wildlife trail? Match tails to their owners, spot giant bird sculptures, find clues, solve puzzles and look out for the elusive fox tail!
Event
Standing with Giants at Stowe Gardens
Large-scale art installation at Stowe Gardens near Buckingham, 19 October - 4 January 2024.
Event
Christmas Shopping Event at Stowe Shop
Join us for our Christmas Shopping Event at Stowe Shop! We'll have mulled wine and mince pies, food and drink samples and a special gift wrap station.
Event
Wreath Making Workshop
Join us for a wreath making workshop in the beautiful Parlour Rooms at Stowe.
Event
Wildlife at Stowe – Photography Exhibition
A special exhibition of images featuring Stowe’s fabulous wildlife, by resident photographer, David Humphries.
Event
Snowdrop Season at Stowe Gardens
Spreading throughout the garden at Stowe, snowdrops can last until the end of February (weather dependant).
About Stowe Gardens
The scale and beauty of Stowe have attracted visitors for over 300 years. Picture-perfect views, winding paths, lakeside walks and temples create a timeless landscape, reflecting the changing seasons. Full of hidden meaning, the gardens were created as an earthly paradise and still cast their spell today.
The sheer size and space is perfect for those who love the outdoors and enjoy walking. A scenic walk from New Inn takes you into the gardens where another world awaits. Stowe is great to explore all day long when you venture out to the far reaches of the garden and parkland.
Come back time and time again to discover new routes in the garden or take a vigorous ramble in the parkland where more monuments wait to be explored, and see new views you won't find in the garden.
History
Article
History of Stowe
Unravel layers of history with a broad look at Stowe throughout the centuries, as well as the people who made it into the grand Georgian estate you can see today.
Article
The history of Stowe’s statuary and buildings
Find out how the buildings, monuments and statues located throughout the garden and parkland at Stowe contain much significance in their positioning and the stories they tell.
Article
The gardeners that made Stowe
Discover how five people shaped the layout, design and structures we still enjoy today. Over less than 30 years this world-renowned garden took shape during their tenure.
Our work
Project
Project
Conservation projects at Stowe
Read about some of the conservation projects that have taken place at Stowe, from major landscape and infrastructure works to delicate paintwork stabilisation.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Stowe Gardens
Find out about how you can volunteer your time at Stowe Gardens and the many different opportunities for individuals or companies to get involved.