Back by overwhelming demand! Prepare to embark on a mesmerising journey through the cosmos beneath a breath-taking starlit canopy! Join us, in collaboration with UK Astronomy, for an unparalleled opportunity to delve deep into the mysteries of our solar system and its celestial wonders, all against the backdrop of Stowe’s enchanting surroundings. Our evening commences with an enthralling talk that unravels the enigmatic tales of our solar system. Discover the captivating stories behind the planets that have fascinated humanity for centuries, setting the stage for a night of unparalleled stargazing. As twilight descends upon us, we’ll venture outdoors to the South Front, where telescopes to be shared amongst the group, await your eager gaze. Amidst a group of fellow stargazers, you’ll navigate the vastness of the night sky, guided by seasoned experts from UK Astronomy. They will help you track distant planets and constellations, bringing you closer to the cosmos than ever before. Full of knowledge, ask them any burning questions you have during the night.

Step into the enchanting world of history with our specially crafted toddler session at Stowe House. Join us for a delightful adventure as we invite our littlest explorers to discover the wonders of the past in a playful and interactive setting. With carefully curated activities designed for tiny hands and curious minds, toddlers will embark on a journey through time. From storytelling to hands-on sensory play, to music and games, our toddler session promises giggles, discoveries, and a whole lot of joy. It’s a playdate with the past that your little one won’t forget!

Join us for an enchanting evening in the magnificent State Music Room of the Mansion House at Stowe, as Dialogue Viols (Peter Wendland & Jacqui Robertson-Wade) bring to life the elegance and intimacy of French Baroque music. This recital features works by celebrated composers including, Boismortier, Saint-Colombe, Couperin and others, performed on original 7 string bass viols as well as extracts from their highly acclaimed Boismortier recording, on the exquisite pardessus de viole. Immerse yourself in the rich textures and expressive beauty of a repertoire that once graced the salons of 18th-century France, all within the grandeur of one of Englands most historic settings.

We are very pleased to announce thatScouting for Girls will be joining us for our Eve of Speech Day Concert, taking place on Friday 22nd May 2026 in the marquee on the South Front of Stowe School. Formed in London in 2005, Scouting for Girls is the trio of childhood friends Roy Stride (lead vocals, guitar & piano), Greg Churchouse (bass, backing vocals) and Pete Ellard (drums). Their self-titled debut album, released in 2007, was a major UK success: it reached No.1 on the UK Albums Chart in January 2008. Since then they have sold over two million albums, had four Brit Award nominations, an Ivor Novello nomination, four top ten singles and most recently sold-out two nights at the London Palladium. The band is known for their catchy, feel-good pop-rock anthems think big choruses, piano hooks, and a live show built for fun. Among their biggest hits are "This Ain't a Love Song," "She's So Lovely" and "Heartbeat." With multiple albums, millions of records sold across the UK, and a fan-friendly reputation for joyous live performances, they have become one of the UKs enduring pop-rock acts. We are so pleased to welcome them to Stowe for what will no doubt be a high energy, fun, nostalgic concert with plenty of sing along choruses! The timings of the evening are approximately: 5.30pm Picnic area opens 6.15pm Marquee opens 6.30-7.15pm Support act (Stoics) 7.30-8.30pm Support act (Firing Line) 9.00-10.00pm Scouting for Girls 10pm End You are welcome to bring a picnic and drinks and make an evening of it, or you can purchase food and drink from the available vendors. We will have a range of savoury street food options, dessert vans, hot drinks and outdoor bars! Please note we will not be providing chairs in our picnic area for dining so please bring these with you.

Ophelia Field, author of The Kit-Cat Club, and Vanbrugh biographer Rory Fraser discuss the Club’s under-appreciated centrality to Vanbrugh’s eclectic career and to British culture. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly. Vanbrugh joined publisher Jacob Tonson’s Kit-Cat Club soon after The Relapse debuted on the London stage in late 1696, remained a member until the Club dissolved in the 1720s, and retained a deep fondness for its fellowship and friendships until the end of his life. Several key steps in his surprising career depended upon the patronage of Kit-Cat aristocrats, and this was no accident. Field, author of The Favourite: Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, published her group biography of the Kit-Cats in 2008 – the first in-depth modern study of the Club – and argued that its far-reaching role in British politics and culture had been previously overlooked. Fraser’s forthcoming biography of Vanbrugh will extend this argument, showing how important it was for Vanbrugh to count himself among the Kit-Cat wits, and to pursue the patriotic cultural mission he shared with its other creative members. Tying the story of the Club’s evolution and Vanbrugh’s involvement over several decades to the Stowe landscape, as developed by Kit-Cat member Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham, this authors-in-conversation event will surface historical connections, conundrums and heated rivalries. Key Information The event will proceed with a 45 minute talk followed by audience questions Booking essential Your free ticket includes a welcome drink on arrival

Join us this summer for a popular daytime night’s sky experience! We’re excited to welcome back two family-friendly shows inside an inflatable planetarium within Stowe House. We Are Aliens – For families – children ages 6+ Explore how our understanding of life on Earth guides the exploration of alien life elsewhere in the Universe. During the show you visit Mars, Europa, and distant Exoplanets to help answer the ultimate question: are we alone? An immersive experience that perfectly balances science, education, and family entertainment. Narrated by Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley from Harry Potter.) The show will last approximately 45 minutes. Shows will run on the hour at 10.00am, 12.00pm & 3.00pm An Incredible Introduction to our Night Sky – For ages 6+ An easy to understand and informative, presenter-led tour of our night sky by award-winning UK Astronomy founder Ross Hockham. With a breathtaking look at our night sky projected all around you, Ross will guide you through our neighbouring constellations and the solar system, as well as venturing into deep space. This is an interactive talk with time for questions. Suitable for families. The show will last approximately 45 minutes. Shows will run on the hour at 11.00am, 2.00pm & 4.00pm

A Rooftop View Like No Other: The Red Arrows at Stowe House You heard us right. This year, we’re exploring the possibility of an extraordinary VIP experience: a rooftop tour of Stowe House, paired with a breathtaking view of a Red Arrows flight display. From the rooftop, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views across Stowe’s historic landscape gardens and out across five counties beyond — an unrivalled vantage point as the Red Arrows take to the skies over our neighbour, Silverstone Race Circuit, during the British Grand Prix weekend. This is a rare chance to witness one of Britain’s most iconic aerial displays without the crowds, traffic, or motorsport focus of the Grand Prix itself. Simply an elevated, elegant way to experience the spectacle. As with all aviation events, this opportunity is weather-dependent. Closer to the time, we’ll closely monitor forecasts and official Red Arrows display confirmations. If conditions align, a very limited number of tickets will be released. This will be an adult only event. Please note: due to the nature of this event, short-notice cancellations may occur as a result of weather conditions. Join our waiting list now to be the first to know if tickets go on sale. Places will be strictly limited and released on a first-come, first-served basis — so pencil the date in and be ready.

Make the most of the summer views and create your own multi-layered summer-inspired lino print in a one-day artist-led workshop with expert printmaker Alexandra Buckle. In this artist-led workshop, you will create a multi-layered lino print based on images or photographs that inspire you. Alexandra Buckle is a former Royal Academy Exhibitor and Artfinder bestseller. She has exhibited in both Bucks and Oxfordshire Arts Weeks. Many of her pieces are inspired by local woodland areas, such as Stowe Gardens, Evenley Wood Garden, Stoke Woods, Waddesdon and Claydon. She is particularly drawn to interesting colour combinations and scenes with dramatic light. She has been teaching the art of lino cutting to all abilities since 2013, from beginners to artists wanting to try out a new technique. Find out more about Alexandra Buckle and her art on her website. What You Need to Know: - Remember to bring along your own packed lunch (tea, coffee and cake will be available). - We will provide all the printing materials. - Please bring along a few images you would like to work from to the session.

George Clarke Prize winner, Dr Ralph St Clair Wade reconsiders the origins and significance of the Gothic Library at Stowe, one of the earliest interiors of the Gothic Revival. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly. Join us as last year’s winner of the George Clarke Prize, Dr Ralph St Clair Wade, presents his latest research on the Gothic Library at Stowe. The George Clarke Prize is a biennial award granted by the Hall Bequest Trust for original research into the history, architecture and landscape of Stowe House. The prize encourages new scholarship based on the estate’s extensive archive of more than 350,000 papers based at the Huntington Library (California), with winners presenting their findings through lectures and publications. The Gothic Library at Stowe House, Buckinghamshire is a rare survival. Commissioned by the 1st Marquess of Buckingham, the Library is significant as the only Gothic interior designed by the distinguished classicist Sir John Soane (1753–1837). In itself, it is one of the earliest interiors of the Gothic Revival. But why the departure from Stowe’s famous classicism? This talk takes a fresh look at the room’s accepted origin story and considers the role of Mary, Marchioness of Buckingham (1758–1812), and her Catholic chaplain, Charles O’Connor.

Garden and landscape historian Richard Wheeler explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s influence on the early development of Stowe’s landscape gardens and the legacy of his ideas. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly, exploring shared themes from the individual perspectives of our speakers and reflecting the continuing debate that makes Stowe so compelling. Sir John Vanbrugh’s influence on the early development of the landscape gardens at Stowe between 1719 and 1726 can also be seen in the wider circle of landscapes created for leading military figures of the age, including the Duke of Marlborough at Blenheim. These gardens reflected a shared ideal that combined military achievement with learning and philosophical reflection. Although little now survives of Vanbrugh’s original scheme at Stowe beyond the main garden axes, the thinking behind his design helped shape the landscape that followed. Later architects and garden designers adapted and expanded the gardens over time, adding their own buildings and monuments while working within the framework Vanbrugh had established. This lecture explores Vanbrugh’s garden legacy at Stowe and considers the architects and designers who developed and reinterpreted his work in the decades that followed.

Sir John Vanbrugh was one of the most remarkable figures of the early eighteenth century: architect, playwright, soldier and even spy. This exhibition explores his life, his architectural achievements, and his connection to Stowe House. Free with admission to Stowe House – please note that tickets are released exactly one month in advance. Vanbrugh was responsible for some of Britain’s most dramatic buildings, including Castle Howard, Blenheim Palace and Seaton Delaval Hall. His work at Stowe began when Sir Richard Temple, a fellow member of the influential Kit-Cat Club, commissioned him to transform the house and help shape the gardens. Through historic illustrations, newly commissioned photographs and original plans, the exhibition written by historian Rory Fraser reveals how Vanbrugh helped turn Stowe into one of the great aristocratic houses of its age. Visitors can also discover the Vanbrugh-designed features that still survive in the famous Stowe gardens today.

Architect Francis Terry presents new research into Sir John Vanbrugh’s architectural contribution to Stowe House, reconsidering the scale and ambition of his designs and their later alteration. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly, exploring shared themes from the individual perspectives of our speakers and reflecting the continuing debate that makes Stowe so compelling. This lecture will explain the ideas and influences on a series of recently completed drawings by architect Francis Terry, that investigate and reconstruct Sir John Vanbrugh’s contribution to the architecture of Stowe House. Vanbrugh’s involvement has long been obscured by limited surviving documentation and by extensive later alterations to the building. Working from a drawing of Stowe by Vanbrugh’s frequent collaborator, Charles Bridgeman, the early plans by William Cleere, and the Rigaud views of 1739, the lecture will explore how Vanbrugh sought to alter and adapt the existing late seventeenth-century house. The lecture will also re-examine Vanbrugh’s likely intentions for the North and South fronts, including towers, porticos, and colonnades that were later simplified or altered—possibly by James Gibbs following Vanbrugh’s death. Particular attention will be given to the ‘houses of office’ on the east and west ends, the only part clearly identified as Vanbrugh’s work. This study offers new insights into how much Vanbrugh’s bold Baroque vision was modified or erased within a few decades, as architectural taste shifted toward a more restrained Georgian classicism.

Michael Bevington explores Sir John Vanbrugh’s role in shaping Stowe, examining the architectural and landscape ideas that defined its early development. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly, exploring shared themes from the individual perspectives of our speakers and reflecting the continuing debate that makes Stowe so compelling. This lecture reviews Sir John Vanbrugh’s time and work at Stowe, examining the archaeological evidence for his buildings both at Stowe House and within the garden. It considers how Lord Cobham drew upon the talents of Vanbrugh and Charles Bridgeman to shape a new landscape vision that reflected his political and philosophical outlook.