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!