Stourhead is not so much a garden than a splendid piece of private landscaped Wiltshire countryside set around a huge lake, the result of damming the various springs and streams that make up the source of the river Stour.
It is one of the most famous examples of English gardens built to the 18th century craze of ‘English Landscape’ design, the complete opposite of the previously popular style of formal gardens.
Stourhead is an Arcadian design begun by prominent banker Henry Hoare in 1741, a combination of art and nature incorporating ever-changing vistas around a man-made lake, complete with temples to Apollo and Flora, a striking rock bridge, a water cascade, a pantheon, a thatched cottage, and of course a grotto (on the latter the Italians have much to answer for).
The idea behind the Arcadian movement was to create an idealised version of classical antiquity in a space that flowed, perfect for strolling . . not unlike the Japanese stroll gardens that became popular there a century earlier (though no-one seems to put that particular two-and-two together !)
The Hoare family lavished huge expense on a splendid new mansion house in the emerging Palladian style - then came the grounds, starting with the lake, then the adornments of miniature temples and grottos scattered around its perimeter.
Exotic trees and shrubs were then planted along the many woodland paths for the family guests to enjoy while 'taking the airs' on their country perambulations.
If you wanted to display your wealth and culture to all of of England's 18th century society, then Stourhead provided the blueprint.
Today, Stourhead may not appeal to fans of pretty and colourful gardens, and provided you can forgive some of the outlandishly ostentatious touches, like the Temple of Apollo . . . then it does provide an excellent day out for the whole family to stroll in easily accessible and very scenic countryside.
Superb woodland walks open up to reveal breathtaking vistas across the lake - every facet providing a new perspective only achievable in an estate of this magnitude.
The plantings, mainly trees and shrubs, are extensive and one reviewer even described it as 'living art'.
We may not go that far, but it is a splendid example of man tinkering with nature to good effect.
There are some formal gardens and working, walled vegetable gardens, but these play a small part in the whole and are not of particular note.
While fans of interiors can tour the house to marvel at the art and furniture collections of this family of 'English Medicis'.