I spent a lovely afternoon the day before yesterday exploring the complexities of Stowe’s garden monuments with Richard Wheeler who for a long time was in charge of them and knows every inch of their history.
We started with the two garden pavilions at the entrance to the estate:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_1154168882523686408173426.jpg?w=1024)
The Rotunda:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_1203408931714584243203610.jpg?w=768)
The Temple of Venus designed by Kent in 1731:
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_1403561778614543931375400.jpg?w=1024)
Past the School, with its main façade designed by Thomas Pitt:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_1428354543051165466000542.jpg?w=1024)
To the Temple of British Worthies:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_144933971230199034367645.jpg?w=1024)
The Gothic Temple:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_1458067222456956662691946.jpg?w=1024)
And the Queen’s Temple:-
![](https://charlessaumarezsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611_145828359829422950960691.jpg?w=1024)
It gave me a much better understanding of the layout of the estate – far from straightforward – and the many garden monuments.
I live with an old Stoic and he is peturbed not to see the steps in your photograph of the North Front, this detracts from the wonderful proportions.
Good point – it must be due to a rise in the playing field in front of the house which masks the steps. Charles