Stourhead, Palladian mansion in Wiltshire, England.
Stourhead is a large estate with an 18th-century mansion in Wiltshire, England. Around the building stretch open grounds, woodlands, farmland, and a man-made lake that forms the heart of the site.
Henry Hoare I acquired the property in 1717 and hired architect Colen Campbell to build a new house, completed between 1721 and 1725. A serious fire destroyed the interior in 1902, after which the building was rebuilt following the original plans.
The estate takes its name from the River Stour, which rises at the edge of the property and flows through the designed gardens. Visitors today can walk through the rooms and see the collection of paintings assembled over generations.
The estate is open throughout the year, with opening hours that can vary depending on the season. Visitors should plan time for a walk through the extensive grounds and wear comfortable shoes.
The mansion was designed after the model of Andrea Palladio and ranks among the earliest examples of this building style in England. The rebuilding after the fire followed the original 18th-century design as closely as possible.
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