Grand Opening of New Welcome and Discovery Centre
Free access to Stowe House and National Trust Stowe Gardens for the Grand Opening of a new Welcome and Discovery Centre. (#summeratstowe)
On Sunday 9th August a new ‘Welcome and Discovery Centre’ at Stowe House will opening to visitors for the first time with a Grand Opening celebration!
The expanded and redesigned centre, which has been under development since Heritage Lottery Funding was received in 2013, will open to the public in August. The Stowe House Preservation Trust manages restoration and public access to the House so that people can come and discover the wonderful history that has played out at the site over the last 300 years. They recognised that a fresh approach was necessary to achieve their aim of opening up the stories of Stowe to everyone.
‘Here at Stowe House we are opening up our intriguing, creative and sometimes scandalous, history to our visitors. We are committed to offering access to everyone and have spent the last 2 years improving the way we tell the stories of Stowe. Our new Welcome and Discovery Centre has been built especially for the whole family to enjoy. The House is now fully family friendly with fantastic talking portraits, an exhibition (which highlights how people have been inspired by Stowe throughout its long history - right up to present day), brilliant tours with enthusiastic Tour Guides, fantastic free family fun during the holidays and pre-bookable family events. Later in the autumn we will also have a range of iPod guides available which explore Stowe’s stories in more detail. We hope you all come along on Sunday 9th August to join in the fun and explore the House – entry to House and Gardens is free!’ Ruth Peters Visitor Services Manager, Stowe House
To celebrate the Grand Opening, Stowe will offer free entry to all visitors. Between the exhibition and tours, we’ll have story tellers, family activities and crafts. You can explore our trails, or enjoy a game of croquet on the lawn. Rain or shine, the National Trust will host a lovely Afternoon Tea in the Tent on the beautiful South Front lawn. Throughout the day, you are invited to enjoy the delightfully immersive experience of the Welcome and Discovery Centre.
The new Welcome and Discovery Centre is fully accessible; this has been a primary goal of Stowe House. The Discovery Centre was built in the previously unseen wine cellar. It exhibits modern artworks inspired by Stowe alongside original research and objects, artefacts and furniture. In addition, guests can receive tours from the knowledgeable guides, or select from a variety of iPod tours. Two unique guided tours provide different experiences, there is a short Tale of Stowe or The Full Story to choose from. The iPod tours, which are due to arrive in the autumn, cater both to families with young children and adults who prefer to wander the House and State Rooms at their own pace.
The new, state-of-the-art Welcome Centre ushers Stowe into the new millennium with modern and accessible style. Visitors are invited to experience Stowe in all of its many forms, through the eyes of those who shaped its history. The Welcome and Discovery Centre allows each person to find their own memorable moment in Stowe’s history, unique among English country houses.
Come for the Grand Opening, stay for the summer!
School’s out for summer, but this house is just getting started! You won’t find hushed voices and velvet ropes at Stowe - come out and explore a country house like you’ve never done before. Whether you’re interested in art, theatre, music, play, or just exploring, Stowe’s got something to break up the long summer days.
Throughout the summer holidays, you can explore the House at your own pace with a self-guided tour; feel free to sit on the sofas and take a peek at the books! The House is open from 11-5 Sunday-Friday throughout August (closed on Saturdays).
If you want a truly thrilling view, why not book into one of our Roof-Top Twilight Tours? Beginning with wine and canapés, this tour winds through some of the historic state rooms, before going up four stories onto the roof of the main mansion. Book yours tickets on the website www.stowehouse.org
This House isn’t just for adults: every day that the House is open, our Learning Space will host trails, activities, and crafts. There is plenty of room to stretch in this historic house – we are a hands-on, fun day out. Kids enter the House for free, so bring the whole clan.
For an extra special treat, drop the children off at one of our pre-bookable Wednesday sessions. These sessions are completely free, but each week has a new theme to make sure the little ones are inspired. From lost treasures to ancient Egypt, you never know what you might find at Stowe! These weekly sessions run every Wednesday until September, but space is limited, so book in advance. Book today by telephoning 01280 818171.
If you’ve spent the day being inspired by the beautiful views and architecture of Stowe House, then let us entertain you with equally fine theatre performances. On Saturday 1stAugust, after a week of intense rehearsal and training with West End professionals, a group of talented young people will perform the famous and universally-acclaimed Les Miserables. Don’t miss the chance to see this stirring musical live! For more information and booking contact thearts@stowe.co.uk
On August 6, Susan Porrett and Viv Mclean return to the magnificent surroundings of Stowe House in a collaboration of words and music to tell the dramatic tale of Chopin and his stormy relationship with George Sand. If you haven’t heard this story before, why not experience it in the fitting setting of Stowe? For more information and booking contact thearts@stowe.co.uk
Make your own art! From August 3-14, Toby Wright, Ambassador for The Florence Academy of Art, returns to Stowe to lead portrait and landscape painting classes in the beautiful grounds of Stowe Toby’s approach to individual advice and guidance means that students of all levels are welcome. Places are booking up fast. For more information and booking contact thearts@stowe.co.uk
