28. Stourhead Garden

Where: Stourton, England
When: August 17, 2013
With: Emma and Jad

Continuing our day trip from London, and leaving Wells Cathedral, the next stop was the town of Stourton, home to a grand estate and garden called Stourhead. 

The weather wasn't great, so while the gardens are the main attraction, we tried to wait out the rain by first visiting the estate. The estate was one of the first of its kind, built by the Hoare family in the 1700s. 

The rooms were all decorated as though they were still lived in. The library was gorgeous, filled with hundreds of antique books, and the main sitting room was staged similar to how it would have been when famous opera singers would come in to perform for the family. It displayed the collection of antiques the family collected over 200 years of living in the estate. 

The most notable pieces of furniture in the house were these incredibly intricate storage chests, filled with secret compartments and covered in marble. The family had several, all of varying sizes. It made you wonder what the family was hiding!

The family's art collection was quite impressive, filling one room with paintings from floor to ceiling. Some of the paintings actually doubled as window shutters. 

After a loop around the house, the time had come to brave the outdoors. While Emma and I came prepared with jackets, scarves and umbrellas, Jad apparently still thought he was in Lebanon and was only wearing a polo. Donning Emma's scarf as a kerchief and my umbrella, he was bundled enough to allow us a quick trip around the grounds. 

The gardens are the main attraction of this estate, and it doesn't take long to see why. The garden was carefully constructed, with winding pathways that descend through the grounds meant to depict Aeneas' journey into the underworld. Stone sculptures of Greek temples are meant to set the tone for the journey.

The only way to end a chilly English day? With a spot of afternoon tea, obviously! And lots of clotted cream. Clearly. 

Stourhead was gorgeous, and it's a shame the weather wasn't nicer or I could have stayed there wandering the grounds all day. It was a quick way to knock two things off the list, but I am happy to report that I wasn't the only one who checked something off their bucket list. Jad got to pump gas for the first time ever. 

A great first day to kick off my last month in England!