Stowe House Opens To The Public

Stowe House, the huge Grade I listed 18th century house on the border of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, has been opened up to the public this August. The rare opportunity to see inside the world-famous historic building, which houses a public school.

Stowe House is on English Heritage’s list of buildings at risk, and is also the register of the World Monuments Fund as a top 100 endangered sites of world significance. The Stowe House Preservation Trust have been undertaking an epic restoration programme of the interior, which has taken over 25 years and cost £26 million.

Nothants Live reports that guided tours will be available to take visitors behind the scenes, to see such masterpieces as the Gothic Library. This was designed by the architect Sir John Soane, and features a beautiful fan vaulted ceiling.

The exquisite plasterwork ceiling in the Large Library is thought to date from 1794, and includes an elaborate decorative theme of mythical creatures, symbols, natural forms, and sections that are gilded with gold. The Japan room, commissioned by Lady Anna Eliza Bridges, will also be open to the public.

There also the grand State Rooms, the awe-inspiring Marble Saloon, which features a stunning plasterwork frieze and unique ornate domed roof.

Outside of term time, Stowe House is available as a venue to hire for weddings, conferences, and other events. It has 880 acres of gardens which are managed by the National Trust, and has over 200,000 visitors every year. There is also a 9-hole golf course within the site.

The historic house has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood productions such as The Crown, Bridgerton, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, X-Men: First Class and Stardust.

If you would like some information on lath & plaster restoration work, please get in touch today.