One of several verdant lakes in the grounds of Stowe House Estate near Buckinghamshire.

Commentary.

 

Landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown,

this estate is crowned by a Neo-Greco-Roman mansion,

now used as part of Stowe Public School.

Brown ensured that from the house

a number of Classical structures

would provide, eye-line, focal points within the Park Landscape.

These include the scaled-down copies of Greek Temples,

Obelisks, Columns with statues and a Corinthian Arch,

centred on the house, nearly a mile to the south-east.

The lakes and valleys provide slopes and water, to further enhance the vistas and present a variety of eco-systems.

Copse woodland and mature trees lining vast, sweeping lawns.

Wood-fringed lakes, streams and waterfalls.

Wild meadow land, farm-land and a maze of interconnecting drives and paths.

 

Swans with their cygnets briefly swam out into the open, but lily-covered, expanse of water.

Mum and Dad ushered them back into the safety

of the nest amongst the reeds, rushes and Water-Irises.

The adults then swam out to forage for food before returning to the nest.

Although far from natural, the Estate has matured

and provides a very pleasant and relaxing environment,

managed in recent times by the National Trust.

 

Done