

Stowe Gardens, extensive landscaped gardens and parkland in Buckinghamshire.
Address: Stowe Gardens, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5EQ.
Dog-friendly Stowe Gardens, named after the small village of Stowe in Buckinghamshire, was a country estate of the Temple family. John Temple, who made his fortune on sheep farming, purchased the original estate in 1589. Subsequent generations of the family substantially changed and dramatically enhanced the property. And it is not surprising, because the transformation of Stowe Gardens is linked with the names of eminent architects and gardeners like John Vanbrugh, James Gibbs, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent, and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
The gardens were originally formal but were gradually transformed into a naturally landscaped park. Lakes and ponds were created by hand, trees and shrubs were planted, and temples and monuments were erected. The gardens abound with a variety of temples, like the Temple of Venus, the Temple of Ancient Virtue, the Temple of Concord and Victory, the Queen’s Temple, the Gothic Temple. There is a humorous reference to the motto of the wealthy and influential Temple family: ‘How beautiful are the Temples!’. We also liked the stunning view of the Stowe house across the Octagon Lake, that was initially created as a formal octagon pool.
This is a real paradise for dog lovers and their furry companions – 250 acres of historic landscaped gardens and 700 acres of surrounding parkland to explore!
Interesting fact: Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown started his career at Stowe Gardens in 1740. In 1741, he was appointed as the head gardener and worked in Stowe until 1751, before he became a very fashionable and wealthy independent landscape gardener. He also married in Stowe in the local church and started his family.
Starting the 1920s, a new era for the estate began. After a sequence of rises and falls in owners’ fortunes, the estate was sold in 1923 and Stowe School was founded. Since 1989, Stowe Gardens have been gifted to the National Trust, whilst Stowe School is under the care of the Stowe House Preservation Trust.




Dogs at Stowe Gardens
Stowe Gardens is a three pawprint rated place. This means that dogs are allowed almost everywhere, apart from the café. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in Stowe house.
You can also join monthly dog walks. Meet a walk leader at the garden entrance at 10:30 am on the third Wednesday of every month. The walk will take approximately an hour and a half.
Opening times
10:00 – 16:00 (Garden), every day.
11:00 – 15:00 (Park), every day.
Admission fee
£15.00 for adults, £7.50 for children
or free for the National Trust members.
Parking
Free for visitors.
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens