national trust stowe

Loved this day out, warm welcome, gardens were beautiful, plenty of sights to see and places to walk too. Shame there was only one spot to go to the toilet in the gardens but this did not spoil out day out. What would be fantastic is if there was a guide to take us around or head sets to tell us more about the history. I took my partner out for our 5 year anniversary and the friendly, knowledgable manager of the shop delivered the flowers into the restaurant and also gave us a fascinating talk about Stowe itself. She deserves recognition for her knowledge, hospitality skills, and the shop she manages as it is well kept and thought out, lovely. Will defiantly come back thank you

Having been to Stowe many times before the entrance was relocated we moved away and this was our first return since then. We arrived on a blustery February day to find a very nice new visitor centre where, it would appear, no money has been spared. The cafe is pleasant and larger than the one it replaced, as is the gift shop.Had we known that we would be faced with a half mile walk simply to get into the park, we wouldn't have bothered. With us was a pregnant woman, a 14 month old and an 8 year old - it would have been fine had we parked at the old location since you're then into the park immediately but, frankly, we gave up before actually reaching the park which, itself, involves a very long walk before another half mile trek back to the entrance.I don't doubt that, on a nice summer's day, Stowe is still a fantastic destination and I acknowledge that they lay on little buggies but that wouldn't have worked for us with all the baby paraphernalia. However, in laying on all the new facilities, they've actually made access to the place more difficult.

Our arrival on a cool and relatively dull early March Sunday morning was cheered by the superb approach road to the car park, dominated by a huge arch reminiscent of Marble Arch. The friendly lady who checked our membership cards also boded well.We initially had a look around the buildings that used to be a lodge where visitors to the park stayed many years ago. I was then particularly impressed by the large modern building that housed the toilets, shop and restaurant. We ate there later and had a superb and very large jacket potato each with cheese, salad and coleslaw. The walk down to the park is a few hundred yards, and then you have to show your membership cards again before entering the park though a gate. Wow!As far as the eye could see were large follies consisting of monuments, statuary, arches, pavilions, a grotto, etc etc. A large lake dominated, crossed by a lovely bridge. The public school (£10500 a term!) dominated the skyline. Very posh that!We walked around the whole area and were very impressed, the occasional glimpse of sunshine making everything even better.Excellent trip!

We visited here for the first time ever yesterday and will definitely be back again. All of the staff that we encountered were happy, welcoming and polite and made our visit extra special. There is a visitor centre with large shop, cafe and toilets just a short walk from the car park (NT members with car stickers park free; £2.00 all day otherwise) and make sure you get a map of the grounds.You could spend hours walking around the grounds looking at all of the hidden buildings and structures and the lake is beautiful. There are sometimes buggies running which take you the first 10 minutes walk down to the grounds but they weren't very regular so we didn't get to try one. It's about 20-30 minutes walk to the house itself which I would also recommend visiting, although this isn't free (it's reduced entry) for NT members.

Excellent day out with lots to see. Beautiful views and interesting buildings in the gardens. The house is worth visiting too while you're there. The visitor centre is nice and serves food and drinks, but on a warm day, a picnic in the grounds would be far nicer. We will be visiting again.

I picked a beautiful day to visit so had the opportunity to make the most of some of the lake walks. Would have been better if I'd been offered a map but then I also didn't think to ask.

Yet another marvellous National Trust property, which joined their portfolio only in the late 1980s.The House remains private (it's now a well-known and prestigious public school with a stunning classical frontage, and the architecturally more boring school buildings are tucked away behind). It can be visited at various times, for an admission charge.Visited with a family member in Summer of 2013. There was no time to visit the house, that can be done another time, as we spent all 4 hours or so wandering these extensive grounds, with wonderful views, tranquil lakes, and a huge collection of temples, follies and other monuments scattered around them. I found them all interesting, including a brooding Gothic Temple, a superbly-restored 'Temple of British Worthies' and a Palladian Bridge (one of only 3 that I know of in this Country, others being at Wilton and Prior Park).We were prepared to walk, and walk, and walk for what seemed miles in order to take everything in and though quite worn out by the end it had been so worthwhile.There is an excellent visitor centre.Huge amounts have been spent on restoring many of the monuments, and there was still work to be done on some of them when we visited.

A full day needed to tour these exstensive gardens full of follys and dramatic landscapes, brilliantly done, food not to good though , take a packed picnic

This is a lovely park to visit with plenty of walks which you will not be able to cover in one day.There is an awful lot to discover and hidden nooks and crannies as well.There is also a restaurant/cafe and a gift shop at the entrance. Prices are typically National Trust ( dont expect a cheap meal )We have visited Stowe loads of times and there has to be one big criticism and that is where the new visitor centre is situated. My wife is not a good walker. From where you enter the park you then have a 1/2 mile walk down a path ( it is nice and tree lined ), before you enter the main part of Stowe. There is a buggy can take you down, but to me this just isnt as good, Beforehand, at the previous entrance, you were straight into it without facing a walk first of all. Consequently my wife has now hardly ever seen the other end ( which is possibly the most interesting part )I would love to be able to give Stowe 5 stars but my wife just cannot enjoy it the same after the alterations, and I dont think enough thought seems to have been given about the change.

A wonderful place to walk, relax and take amazing photographs of picturesque scenery and landscape garden. New visitor centre with well run cafe

This was a great place for walking. Beautiful gardens and grounds and the map is very good and easy to follow for a few good walks. The café had nice looking cakes and other food. Be warned that they stop serving hot food at 2:30! We got there at 2:35 and were disappointed but we still had nice sandwiches.

Beautiful landscape so great for walking and the restaurant is excellent with cheerful, helpful staff

As l live quite close to Stowe l have visited it on a number of occasions, in various seasons and it is always a rewarding experience.I dont walk too well and both the individual buggies, which can be driven round the whole estate, and the larger buggy which covers the 500 metres to the gate, are great boons.Always worth checking to see if Stowe House, now a public school, is open to the public. Not part of the NT but an interesting experience with a well informed guide.Enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens.The reason that l didnt give 5 stars is because there is quite a walk from car park to the gardens unless a buggy is used.Ps. The New lnn, just by the carpark, is an interesting bonus and the cafe is bright and welcoming.

A great day or afternoon out, even at this time of year. Lots of trails to follow. Good tea room and gift shop. Lovely and helpful staff

We have been guilty of not visiting before despite living close byThe grounds are stunning and we didn't realise you can follow different length walks one took three hours we didn't do that one excellent visitor centre and cafe funded through national lottery heritage grant we took our dog and had a great time