Please note this map is intended as a guide only and is not drawn to scale

1. Start your walk just past the Grotto, as you walk towardsConcord and Victory look right to see the beautiful copper beech and sweet chestnut trees lining the valley edge. On your left you will see maples and spindles which create gorgeous tones of orange and red along with the bright fl ashes of pink from the spindle berries.

2. Head up to the Temple of Concord and Victory. Take a moment to look at the columns around you. In 1997 the National Trust restored some of these, can you see which ones? Make sure you walk up to the top step and enjoy the breath-taking views. This is my favourite bit of the Grecian Valley; you can take in the brilliant autumn colour throughout the valley and the perfectly framed views of Lord Cobham’s Pillar to the right and General Wolfe’s Obelisk out in the parkland to the left. This view is particularly good on a misty day.

3. As you head back down the steps and past Concord and Victory the beds will be full of rose hips and a few sumacs too. You might also be able to spot some bladder nuts.

4. Follow the gravel path around the Heroic walk and as you head round the corner look out for the fl ash of yellow from the rudbekia.

5. As you continue on, in between the Gladiator statue and theCircle of the Dancing Faun, you pass numerous larch trees on the edge of the valley which turn a beautiful orange. Thenearby buttery yellow field maples are also stunning.

6. At the Fane of Pastoral Poetry stand on the footpath andlook through the temple to see parkland views perfectlyframed. You can see here the newly restored statue,Pastoral Poetry, and new planting areas. This planting willdevelop and compliment the elegance of the statue.

7. This is the American area of the Grecian Valley and hereyou will see gorgeous red oak trees and liquidambars andmaples, all of which produce amazing autumn colour.

8. Head down Laurel Terrace and look out for our orchard onyour left hand side. This was the location of the originalStowe orchard and part of the walled garden which oncesurrounded it can still be seen. Two of the original rows oftrees remain along with a newly planted row. We have over100 varieties of apple growing at Stowe across the site.Keep an eye out for the bug hotel that helps withpollination.

9. At the end of this pathyou can stop nextto the holly tree toenjoy three amazingviews; across thevalley to the statue ofHercules and Antaeus,ahead to the Templeof Concord andVictory and left to theQueen’s Temple.

Distance: 1.3km (plus 1.5km to reach the start of the walk)

1.

2.

3. 4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Temple pf Concord and Victory

Grotto

Queen’s Temple

Fane of Pastoral Poetry

Circle of the Dancing Faun

Grecian Valley

A walk with Gardener SophieThe Grecian Valley is a highlight of the autumn colour here at Stowe. Our Gardener, Sophie, (pictured below) will take you on a walk through this area of the garden and point out her personal highlights and points of interest.

Photography © National Trust Images / Andrew Butler, John Miller, Arnhel de Serra

NTS_Autumn walks leaflets A4.indd 1 29/08/2018 18:02