The Stourhead Estate

Henry Hoare commissioned Colin Campbell to design Stourhead House in 1721, soon after purchasing the manor of Stourton. It was one of the first houses built in the Paladian style. The gardens were designed by his son Henry "the Magnificent". They started the fashion for landscape gardens, later popularised by Capability Brown and others.

In 1946 three thousand acres of Stourhead Estate, comprising Stourhead House and Garden and four working farms (including Coldcot Farm), were given to the National Trust by Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare, Bart. The rest of the estate, know as Stourhead (Western) Estate is still owned by Nick Hoare, one of the Farm Shop partners.

For links to other aspects of the estate see the home page.