Stourhead

We regularly go to Stourhead. It belongs to the National Trust. There is a Manor House on the site, but Stourhead is best known for its lovely grounds.

It is beautiful at most times of the year, but my favourite time is Autumn when the trees look fantastic in their Autumn colours.

It is a pleasant place to wander through the trees or along the lake, within the grounds. There is a duck pond and, beyond this pond, over a style, are fields stretching over a hill. This leads to a Folly, standing almost on its own. Opposite these fields there is a wood.

It is very popular, especially the cafe, which is always busy, serving main meals and snacks such as scones. This is not far from the car park and the overflow car park. Stourhead has a farm shop as well. There is also a gift shop and a small room leading off the shop, with flowers, plants and other garden items such bird baths and watering cans. There are plants on sale outside alongside the gift shop.

To reach the gardens it is necessary to go through the entrance where the National Trust staff check members’ cards or take entrance money.

The way down to the gardens is down a fairly steep hill on a tarmac path. Before going into the main garden entrance to the actual gardens there is a typically English pub, an art gallery, some holiday cottages and a church. We did once see a wedding party leave the church. We could even hear the celebration bells ringing from across the lake.

We would like to see the place when the snow has fallen, as they have photographs on display showing various parts in this winter scene, and it looks magical.