Boxing Day - Stourhead

Boxing Day and the usual slow start! However, we did have plans for going out walking and Andrew suggested driving down to Stourhead, a National Trust property although we could park near King Alfred's Tower and walk for free through the forest estate.

 It was a brilliant day, cloudless and reasonably warm and the car park was quite full but still space for us. We set off down hill with delightful surroundings.

 

Stourhead ornamental lake panorama

 Eventually we reached the main area closer to the entrance where there are walks around the artificial lake. There are also the usual features of a large estate: grotto, several temples, ornamental bridge and several former lodges and other buildings.

Pantheon from opposite side of lake

We sat overlooking the lake on the steps of the Pantheon (the garden's largest building) for our lunch. Andrew had also packed a thermos with a hot drink.

We continued, passing a small building that opens for hot drinks in the winter, and then through the grotto. After that we came to the collection of houses around the church and pub. In the courtyard, a side of Morris dancers was just completing a session.

Grotto

On again and we were now heading uphill back to the car park. We first walked through the walled garden and then passed in front of the main house which is closed to visitors in the winter - not that we wanted to go in anyway!

Stourhead Mansion

The mansion, one of the first to be built in the Palladian style was opened in the mid Eighteenth century. It belomged to the Hoare family, wealthy bankers.

Obelisk

The last section followed the Fir Walk, a wide grassed route - part way along we passed a tall obelisk which is also said to indicated the head of the River Stour.

Finally we arrived back at the road and drove back to Devizes.