After an absolutely brilliant few days at Longleat, it was time for us to head West to Cheddar Caravan Club Site. Having previously stayed at Cheddar, we knew it would be the perfect location for some rest, relaxation and rambling – not to mention the brilliant ‘local’ too.
On the way however, we thought it would be a crime to miss out on a visit to Stourhead House and Gardens (National Trust). Stourhead, a palladian house with famous landscaped gardens, first opened in the 1740s. While the house was closed today, the immense gardens, with the lake at the centre, offers a fantastic opportunity for a morning of fresh air and discovery.
In line with numerous other properties and gardens this year, Stourhead also had an illumination installation, although this was at a further cost for National Trust members. However, we loved the woven willow sculptures to accompany the Twelve Days of Christmas. These were positioned around the lakeside walking route, which was accessible for all levels of mobility.
The landscaped gardens at Stourhead were designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out in a classical 18th century design from 1741-1780. He, and the following generations of his family, developed the gardens for others to enjoy and to mirror their journeys across the world. While the lake provides the centre piece of the garden, there are also temples, a Pantheon and even a magical grotto to explore and enjoy.
The garden is a truly peaceful place to sit and absorb history and the trees and flowering bushes provided so much colour – even in December. I can only imagine the beauty that would be seen in spring or autumn.
Considering we had no idea what to expect, Stourhead provided a wonderful morning. There is a farm shop just outside the car park and adequate parking for motorhomes, vans and coaches. I would recommend arriving early though as it was much much busier as we made our way away from the lake.
This is not a midlife crisis... 