Stourhead House

Stourhead House, near Warminster in Wiltshire, is a Neo-Palladian mansion at the centre of the Stourhead estate in southwest England. Historic England ranks it Grade I, the highest listing category. The house is looked after by the National Trust, and touring its rooms is one of the main reasons visitors come to Stourhead.

What is the story behind the house?

The Hoare family, London bankers, bought the estate in 1714. The old Stourton House was pulled down around 1720, and the new house went up a little to the northwest. Colen Campbell, a leading champion of Palladian style in Britain, drew up the plans, and Nathaniel Ireson oversaw the building work between roughly 1721 and 1724. The layout and elevation echo Villa Emo, a Veneto villa by Andrea Palladio.

In 1796–1800 Richard Colt Hoare added two flanking pavilions, housing a library and a picture gallery. A portico on the east side followed in 1840. In 1902 a fire gutted the central block, which was rebuilt over 1902–06 by Doran Webb and Sir Aston Webb. The estate began passing to the National Trust in 1946.

What will you see?

The mansion sits within an eighteenth-century landscape park of lake and temples, and the walk through the gardens gives you the classic view of the house from the west. Inside, the rooms hold the Hoare family's furniture and paintings, while the library and gallery wings show off the collecting tastes of the late Georgian era. The estate as a whole covers about 1,072 hectares, reaching into Somerset, and Alfred's Tower, a brick lookout, stands on its edge.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The address is High Street, Stourton, Warminster, BA12 6QD, close to the town of Mere. Driving is the easiest option, as public transport in this part of Wiltshire is thin. The house generally opens seasonally (from mid-March in 2026), and in winter the Trust runs guided "Behind Closed Doors" visits. Hours and prices change each year, so check the National Trust website or call 01747 842025 before you set out. A ticket covers both house and gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Stourhead House? Yes. The National Trust opens it to visitors, mainly in the main season. In winter only booked guided tours run.

Who designed it? Colen Campbell, a Neo-Palladian architect. Nathaniel Ireson was the builder.

Is the house still as originally built? Partly. The central block was rebuilt after the 1902 fire, and the side pavilions (1796–1800) and the 1840 portico are later additions.

How long should you allow? Set aside most of a day for the house and gardens, especially if you plan to walk out to Alfred's Tower.