Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

106  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

a Stourhead

Stourhead is among the finest examples of 18th-century
landscape gardening in Britain. The garden was begun in the
1740s by Henry Hoare (1705–85), who inherited the estate and
transformed it into a breathtaking work of art. He created the
lake, surrounding it with rare trees and plants, and Neo-Classical
Italianate temples, grottoes and bridges. The Palladian-style
house, built by Colen Campbell, dates from 1721–5.
Pantheon
Modelled on the Pantheon
Visitors feeding giraffes at the famous in Rome, this elegant temple
safari park at Longleat was designed by architect
p Longleat Henry Flitcroft (1679–1769)
in 1753. It was intended as
Warminster, Wiltshire. Map A2. a visual centrepoint for the
Tel 01985 844400. 3 Frome, then garden and a place for the
taxi. Open House & Safari Park: mid- Hoare family to entertain
Feb–Mar & Nov–Dec: Fri–Mon; Apr– their guests.
Oct: daily; times vary, check website
for details. & 8 7 0 - =
∑ longleat.co.uk
The architectural historian John
Summerson coined the term
“prodigy house” to describe
the exuberance and grandeur
of Elizabethan architecture
that is so well represented
at Longleat. The house was
started in 1540, when John
Thynne bought the ruins of
a priory on the site for £53.
Over the centuries, subsequent
owners have added their own
touches. These include the
Breakfast Room and Lower KEY
Dining Room (dating from
the 1870s and modelled on 1 The reception has a helpful
the Venetian Doge's Palace) visitor information centre.
and erotic murals painted by 2 Pelargonium House
the present owner, the 7th contains a collection of over
Marquess of Bath. Today, the 100 species of the pelargonium
Great Hall is the only remaining plant and its cultivars.
room from Thynne’s time. 3 Stourton village was
In 1949, the 6th Marquess incor porated into Hoare’s
was the first landowner in overall design.
Britain to open his stately 4 The Temple of Flora
home to the public. In 1966, (1744) is dedicated to the
a large part of the estate, Roman goddess of flowers.
landscaped by “Capability” 5 The Grotto is an artificial
Brown (see p25), was turned cave with a pool and a life-size
into the world's first safari park statue of the guard ian of the
outside Africa, where lions, River Stour, sculpted by John
tigers, baboons, giraffes and Cheere in 1748.
many other wild animals roam 6 Gothic Cottage (1806)
freely. This, along with further
additions such as enclosures for 7 Iron Bridge
smaller animals, a large hedge 8 A walk of 3 km (2 miles) . Temple of Apollo
maze, a “Jungle Express” mini- around the lake provides Inspired by Italian originals
train and an Adventure Castle, artistically contrived vistas. and dedicated to the sun god
have made Longleat one of 9 Turf Bridge Apollo, this circular temple was
England's most popular estates. designed by Henry Flitcroft.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp176–7 and pp186–8

106-107_EW_ESC.indd 106 10/03/17 6:53 pm