Vice, Virtue or Liberty: the Paths of Stowe Gardens
The grounds at Stowe are some of the most interesting that I have come across in the many historic places in the care of the National Trust. Not only does Stowe have the features you'd expect of a grand estate - lakes, trees, flowers - there are also many pathways that lead to temples, monuments and bridges. These all hold intriguing meanings and symbolism, revealing a glimpse of aristocratic Georgian England.
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| Temple of Friendship (Path of Liberty) (with Queens Temple in the distance (Path of Virtue)) |
Vice, Virtue or Liberty
What makes this place truly different to other historic houses is the choice of pathways that lead you through different areas of the grounds, revealing the beautiful structures and views. Visitors can choose between 3 paths - Vice, Virtue and Liberty. This design reveals the previous owners' beliefs about the politics and morality of aristocratic Georgian psyche.
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| Queens Temple, Gothic Temple, Palladian Bridge |
It was under the ownership of Viscount Cobham in the 1700s that the grounds saw the most development. Preferring to work with 'fashionable forward-thinkers', Cobham employed many designers and architects to enhance the grounds, with each gardener experimenting with styles for which they would become famous.
The temples and monuments were created during this period, and while some did not survive, many still stand in all their splendour today.
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| Palladian Bridge (Path of Liberty) |
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| Palladian Bridge (Path of Liberty) |
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| Temple of Ancient Virtue (Path of Virtue) |
The Path of Vice includes temples that allude to stories of 'seductive women, sordid goings-on and partying to excess'.
The Path of Virtue is an area of the gardens that represents 'heaven on earth'. These temples present good values, such as the 'Temple of British Worthies' showing who Cobham considered the 'great and the good' of British history.
The Path of Liberty represents the political aspirations of Cobham. The temples along this walk show Britain’s military dominance in the eighteenth century.
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| Chinese House (dated back to 1738) |
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| Apollo and the 9 Muses (Path of Virtue) |
Stowe Today
Stowe's gardens are a great legacy of the Georgians, but they exist today thanks to the National Trusts' employees, who help to conserve and restore. Most recently afters years of research, statues of the 9 muses were recreated and returned to their last known location in the grounds.
The find out more about Stowe, including booking entry tickets and what to expect in terms of social distancing when you arrive, click here.
Click here to find out about the 9 Muses Project.
Click here for a map of the different paths at Stowe.
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| Temple of Friendship (Path of Liberty) (with Queens Temple in the distance (Path of Virtue)) |