Stourhead is a massive estate located at the source of the river Stour. The Stourton family lived there for 500 years until they sold it. In the 1720’s the new owners, the Hoare Family, built a huge Palladian mansion with adjoining classical gardens. They were obsessed with all things classical, collecting classical art to decorate their mansion, and building classical temples and grottos throughout their grounds.
The classical facade of Iford Manor and its’ gardens were designed by garden architect Harold Peto, who lived there in the early 1900’s. He created Italianate style courtyards and arcades along the terraced hillside behind the Manor, showcasing an extensive collection of artifacts brought back from his travels to Italy.
