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Published: January 27th 2013
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Stourhead Gardens and in the back the "Temple of Apollo". Today, we should visit in the morning the Stourhead Gardens. In the afternoon we should visited Shaftesbury. Because we were travelling in a group, our day program was known before. However, it sounded a little bit boring. However, the Stourhead Gardens was not boring at all!
We left early today, after breakfast. However, it was starting to rain (not that hard), even when we arrived. Typically English weather. After buying the tickets, we could enter the gardens. Now it stopped to rain, at least for a while. The garden is known about its temples bridges and tunnels, which you also could visit. Even for disabled people there was a hike trail. And you also could choose a small and large hike trail. We choose to hike the largest trail, of 2 miles (3 km). However, the park (garden) was very beautiful. It didn't look at a garden at all, so probably I will call it park over again. Also, during the rain the park began to "smell", for example the wood, the plants and the stones used in the tunnels and stairs. First, the trail brought us to the "Old Stourhead House", a villa. This villa was build by Henry
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A cave in the Stourhead Gardens Hoare I in 1717. The Stourhead Gardens, build from 1740 by Henry the Magnificent (Henry Hoare II), was the garden of this villa. Then, the tour lead us to the Ice Cave, which was covered by a tunnel. In this cave, smashed ice from the lake was placed. Here in, flesh and deserts could be stored, even during the summer. Putting deserts and flesh during summertime on table, shown high family honor during that time. Also, we saw the Obelisk, build in 1839 (replicate from 1746). The hike trail lead us around the lake, covered with flowers, shrubs and trees. However, it started to rain, this time very hard. Luckily, we had an umbrella. Hardcore as we are, we keep going on the trail. We visited “The Gretto” (a tunnel/cave) with different art statues. The cave was made of natural stones. You could enter by climbing up a stone stairs. Because of the rain, the stones were slippery, so you had to take care that you didn't fell. The park was indeed adorned with art, caves/tunnels and temples. Also, you could visit an old authentic (English) house, nice. We keep walking, through the beautiful park (garden), with a lot of
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Golden Hill (Shaftesbury) diversity in the flowers and trees. Then, we saw the "Temple of Apollo", inspired on Roman buildings. However, not only the famous "Gothic" style of England was present in this park, you also could see the Roman influences. By the temple, we met a park manager. He was surprised that there were visitors during this bad weather. After a look inside, we went further. The park manager warned us to be cautious. The temple stood on a hill, and you only could go down, walking on the slippery stones. It was very easy to fall.
At the end of the tour, we ordered a cup of tea, filled in a survey. We also talked to other park managers, before we walked back to the bus. Then, the rain stopped.
Arrived in Shaftesbury, it started to rain. However, it was time for lunch, so we decided to took a lunch: Cream tea. At cream tea: scones were served with cream butter and (strawberry) jam. Of course, with a pot of tea. However, it took very long before the cream tea was served, at least 3 quarters. And we had limited time (one disadvange when traveling in a group: limited
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The Valley of Shaftesbury at time). So, we weren't happy about the long waiting time. It wasn’t that busy. After the cream tea, and sky was clear, we first walked through the Golden Castle. Here, you had a great view over the valley; typical British; Pastures in different colors (dark green/ light green/yellow green) parted by scrubs, with hills, and here and there a house. Lovely.
Then, we visit the well known Golden Hill. I think everybody has saw this famous street, opposite by the city wall, in England. Really, I think I could live here. The architecture of English houses are, in my opinion, very beautiful. Living in that kind of house, would be no drama for me. I think I would like it.
However, there was limited time, so we couldn't spend so much time as we hoped. If our lunch was served earlier, we had more time. Well, it could be worse.
Then our tour driver brought us back to our hotel.
We had time for shopping in England, and time for diner. I ordered a starter of a mozzarella-tomato salad, the main was penne pasta with tomato sauce, and the desert was a lemon device. Lovely.
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Another cave Again, at the end of the evening, we visited the pub, together with some people of our group. Sadly, the Abbot Ale was sold out. Here, I ordered "The Railway" beer. A little bit bitter and less fruity. I prefer the Abbot Ale. But The Railway wasn’t bad! It was a good replacement!
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