S t o w e  G a r d e n s

T h e   G r e c i an  V a l l e y

 

Landscaped by Lancelot "Capability" Brown and Lord Cobham from 1740, in a manner to idealize a natural landscape, this long grassy valley was the final part of the gardens to be completed. It is partly artificial, as Brown who was the head gardener at the time, began excavating and moving huge quantities of earth to create this valley. He had originally intended it to contain a lake at the northeastern end. This would have been fed by a spring via an artificial valley river. However, due to the insufficient amount of water in the springs, this idea had to be abandoned. Instead, belts of trees of varying heights were carefully arranged to conceal twisting, shady walks to delight the visitor as they made their way on to the Fane of Pastoral Poetry, situated at the Northern East corner of the valley. Other plans for a triumphal arch and an oval amphitheater, with a circumference of possibly 500ft, to stand in the valley were also abandoned, although the outlines of the theatre remain visible today.

Below: The Temple of Concord and Victory viewed from the woodland path.

 

 

 

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