Photo: Bowood House by Benjamin Fawcett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Bowood House stands near Derry Hill in Wiltshire on an estate the Fitzmaurice family has held since 1754.
The surviving wing is Grade I listed and contains interiors by Robert Adam.
Its parkland was designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and ranks among his best-preserved landscapes.
The house and gardens operate as a visitor attraction, with a hotel and golf resort on the wider estate.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The estate became the seat of the Earls of Shelburne in 1754. In 1784 the title was raised to Marquess of Lansdowne, a peerage still held by the family today under the ninth Marquess, Charles Petty-Fitzmaurice. The original house was considerably larger, but the greater part was demolished in 1956, leaving the present range as a surviving wing of the Georgian mansion.
Architecture
The Grade I listed house dates mainly from the eighteenth century, with interiors by Robert Adam. Much of the original building was demolished in 1956, so what remains today is one wing of a larger Georgian house.
Worth knowing
Benjamin Franklin and Mirabeau, an early figure of the French Revolution, numbered among past guests, reflecting the political circles the Earls of Shelburne moved in.
Gardens & grounds
The park was designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of his landscaping in existence.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Chippenham Rail Station (4.1 miles)
Open late March to early November; check official website for dates.
Nearby properties
Fox Talbot Museum
View Fox Talbot Museum on heritage mapCorsham Court
View Corsham Court on heritage mapWindmill Hill
View Windmill Hill on heritage mapAlexander Keiller Museum
View Alexander Keiller Museum on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Bowood House there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 museum.
Within 10 miles of Bowood House there are 14 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings, 4 archaeological sites and 2 museums, across National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Bowood House there are 55 historic properties, including 24 historic buildings, 10 historic houses and 8 archaeological sites, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A Capability Brown landscape intact around a Georgian house that lost half its bulk in 1956.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Wiltshire, England
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