S t o w e  G a r d e n s

T h e  F a n e  o f  P a s t o r a l  P o e t r y

The trail through the woods in the Grecian Valley leads to a clearing where the Fane of Pastoral Poetry is now situated.

The Fane of Pastoral Poetry originally stood within another part of the gardens at Home park, where the monument to Queen Caroline now stands today. It was designed and built by James Gibbs and was removed to this location by Lord Temple in 1764 as part of his remodelling program. From the early 1730's it was surrounded by several of the busts now to be found in the Temple of British Worthies, and was also known as the Temple of Worthies. Gilbert West, Lord Cobham's nephew, wrote a poem in 1732 to celebrate Stowe, and the fane is mentioned within it..

"Where yon high firs display their darksome green, And mournful yews compose a solemn scene, Around thy building, Gibbs, a sacred band Of princes, patriots, bards, and sages stand. Men, who by merit purchas'd lasting praise, worthy each british poet's noblest lays. Or bold in arms for liberty they stood, And greatly perish'd for their country's good. Or nobly warm'd with more than mortal fire, e qual'd to Rome and Greece the british lyre. Or human life by useful arts refin'd, acknowledg'd benefactors of mankind."

A grouping of statues, including a statue of Thalia, the muse of Pastoral Poetry was placed nearby, along with statues of a faun and shepherds and shepherdesses. This became known as the "circle of the dancing faun", but was sadly lost around 1800. The fane was restored in 2002. The roof was replaced, benches were installed within the structure, and herms (the head of a greek god on a square pillar), were placed around the four exterior corners.

Below: The distant Wolfe's Obelisk as framed through the Fane of Pastoral Poetry.

Below: The Fane and Bridgeman's Ha-Ha.

 

 

 

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