The London Link

Stowe House, an old country house is located near the abandoned village of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. It is now a private school, but is open to the public during the school holidays along with the magnificent gardens and park.

The house was built in the late 17th century with the help of the great architect Christopher Wren who seems to have participated in the construction of most of the buildings in the second half of the 1600s. The palace was later modified,perhaps during the 1700s although the latest changes they were made in 1779. All the famous architects of the time such as John Nash, James Gibbs and Robert Adam worked to improve the building.

The palace belonged to members of the Temple family who made money and became members of the small aristocracy thanks to the sheep and wool trade. They bought the house and land here at the end of the 1500s but only a century later they decided to rebuild a home.

The Temple family produced several counts, viscounts and barons and their humble abode became a reference point for the nobility of half of Europe. The parties in this house were famous because they could last for days and days.

Now even if you manage to visit the villa, you will only see a limited number of rooms but it is worth going there only for the magnificent gardens which are managed by the National Trust, also during the course of the year there are always seasonal or artistic events. The gardens have several structures and statues and will keep you busy for a whole day.

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