Stourhead
Overview
Stourhead is a 1,072-hectare (2,650-acre) estate located at the source of the River Stour near Mere, Wiltshire, England. The estate includes a Palladian mansion, the village of Stourton, gardens, farmland, and woodland. Stourhead has been in the ownership of the National Trust since 1946.
History
The Stourhead estate was purchased by wealthy banker Henry Hoare I, son of Sir Richard Hoare, in 1717. The original manor house was demolished and a new house, one of the first of its kind, was constructed in its place. The house was designed by Colen Campbell and completed in 1725. In the following decades, the house was further extended to designs by other architects.
Architecture
The Stourhead mansion is one of the first and finest examples of Palladian architecture in England. The design is inspired by the works of Italian architect Andrea Palladio, and is noted for its symmetry and the use of classical proportions. The mansion's interiors are equally impressive, with a series of grand rooms decorated with paintings and antique furniture.
Gardens
The world-famous gardens at Stourhead were laid out by Henry Hoare II, known as 'the Magnificent'. The gardens were designed in a classical 18th-century design set around a large lake, with temples, grottoes, bridges, and exotic trees. The gardens are considered a masterpiece of the English landscape garden style.
Stourton Village
The village of Stourton, which is included in the Stourhead estate, is a typical English village with a pub, village shop, and St. Peter's church. The village was originally built to house the estate's workers, and many of the cottages are now let out as National Trust holiday cottages.
Ownership and Management
Stourhead has been owned by the National Trust since 1946. The estate, which was given to the Trust by Sir Henry Hoare, was one of the first major gifts of its kind. The National Trust maintains the property and opens the house, gardens, and parts of the estate to the public.
In Popular Culture
Stourhead has been used as a filming location for several films and television series, including the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.