Restoration
Our aim – to turn back time to witness Stowe at its hey-day, 1840s
Stowe Through the Ages: 300 Years of Change
Stowe is a truly remarkable place, steeped in history and brimming with stories waiting to be discovered. To understand its present, we must first uncover its past. Once one of Britain’s earliest tourist attractions, complete with the very first printed guidebook, Stowe has always been a place of curiosity and inspiration. Now, we invite you to turn a digital page and journey with us through time—from its early beginnings and the dazzling rise (and dramatic fall) of England’s richest family to its modern-day survival and evolution.
But the story doesn’t end there. Dive into the next chapter to explore over 25 years of painstaking restoration and learn how we’re working to return Stowe to its former glory. As a charity, we rely on support to safeguard this extraordinary place for generations to come—whether through donations, attending specialist tours, or simply spreading the word. Your involvement is key to keeping Stowe’s story alive.
Founding
After Stowe School was formed in 1923 subsequently after the sale of the Stowe estate, the governors focused on providing facilities for the pupils. As time went on, the repairs required for the house continued to mount up and in 1990 the Stowe House Fund was launched. With the aid of grants, repairs were made to the State Dining Room roof, the West Pavilion, the Marble Saloon oculus and Aurelian Room. It became evident after time that a full restoration was needed, yet the school could not take on such a large task as an educational charity. In 1997 our charity, the Stowe House Preservation Trust was founded.
Our mission is to restore and preserve Stowe House for the benefit of the nation and the public. We own the house on a ninety-nine year lease. The School remains our tenant.
Restoration Begins
Within three years we began physical work on the fabric of the house – the largest restoration of any eighteenth-century historic house in the United Kingdom and possibly the world. The significance of this work was indicated by the fact that Stowe House is on the English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk and in 2002 was placed on the World Monuments Fund’s list of the hundred most endangered sites.
To date, the Trust has spent £26 million on multiple phases of work. Take a look through our before and after images to see how the projects have unfolded through the years.
Restoration Highlights
North Front restoration work began in 2002
2013 - The Medici Lions returned after spending 91 years in Blackpool
Meticulous restoration started in 2019 on the State Dining Room ceiling
Water tanks were removed from the roof above the Marble Saloon
The walls and ceiling in the State Dining Room devoid of flamboyant colour before the room was restored.
The State Drawing Room after restoration had been completed
An aerial image of the scaffolding which covered the roof
The Blue Room before it's restoration
The coffers on the Marble Saloon dome were in need of conservation
A bronze replica of the Laocoön statue returned to the North Hall
The Egyptian Hall before and after restoration
Eight statues were copied from a museum in Berlin and made for the empty niches in the Marble Saloon
The painting of Fame and Victory after conservation
Archaeological finds from beneath the floorboards during restoration.
The ceiling in the State Library lacked it's gilding and had significant damage
Netting was used to prevent water damaged plaster falling in the State Library
The State Library now shines with magnificence after it's conservation
A stark contrast between the before and after of State Dining Room
The bronze statue of Mercury is prepared for assembly
Mercury takes pride of place in the North Hall
The State Music Room undergoes conservation work in 2012
The Music Room is adorned with delicately themed wall paintings and looks splendid after restoration
Our team collect the 'Restoration for a Georgian Country House' award given by the Georgian Group in 2023.
Statues were copied and returned to empty niches on the South Front Portico
North Front restoration work began in 2002
2013 - The Medici Lions returned after spending 91 years in Blackpool
Meticulous restoration started in 2019 on the State Dining Room ceiling
Water tanks were removed from the roof above the Marble Saloon
The walls and ceiling in the State Dining Room devoid of flamboyant colour before the room was restored.
The State Drawing Room after restoration had been completed
An aerial image of the scaffolding which covered the roof
The Blue Room before it's restoration
The coffers on the Marble Saloon dome were in need of conservation
A bronze replica of the Laocoön statue returned to the North Hall
The Egyptian Hall before and after restoration
Eight statues were copied from a museum in Berlin and made for the empty niches in the Marble Saloon
The painting of Fame and Victory after conservation
Archaeological finds from beneath the floorboards during restoration.
The ceiling in the State Library lacked it's gilding and had significant damage
Netting was used to prevent water damaged plaster falling in the State Library
The State Library now shines with magnificence after it's conservation
A stark contrast between the before and after of State Dining Room
The bronze statue of Mercury is prepared for assembly
Mercury takes pride of place in the North Hall
The State Music Room undergoes conservation work in 2012
The Music Room is adorned with delicately themed wall paintings and looks splendid after restoration
Our team collect the 'Restoration for a Georgian Country House' award given by the Georgian Group in 2023.
Statues were copied and returned to empty niches on the South Front Portico
Our Latest Project - The State Dining Room
We’re pleased to announce the opening of the State Dining Room to visitors once again after restoration was completed in June 2023. This magnificent room has been transformed into a richly decorated space brimming with colour and dazzling with gilding to echo the 1740s when the room was in its heyday.
Read all about our latest project which concludes the final phase of planned restoration of the State Rooms in this detailed restoration article.
Restoring the State Dining Room
Welcoming Visitors
As visitor numbers grew, a permanent space was required to welcome guests with facilities for ticket sales, refreshments and shopping. The ground-level cellar which had historically been a drinks cellar and servant dining quarters, then later a sixth-form common room for pupils became available and was transformed into what you see today. Opened in 2015, the Discovery Centre brings to life the history of Stowe with interactive displays and museum pieces from the collection whilst visitors can relax in a friendly environment and prepare to explore the State Rooms.
Alongside the centre, a learning space was created to welcome school groups and host creative community workshops and events.
The Future
With the completion of our initial restoration phase, our charity has successfully restored the Western Suite of the State Rooms. The unexpected discovery of 18th-century wall paintings on the East Grand Staircase, along with potential access to adjoining rooms, means there may be even more to restore and share with the public than we first imagined. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media, and be part of our next chapter.
Tales of Stowe’s Transformation
To survive the changing times, Stowe had to transform from an aristocratic home into a public boarding school. Back then, much of the estate was in desperate need of repair. But don’t just take our word for it—why not take a look? These visual articles shows the monumental restoration work undertaken since 1923 by various organisations working alongside each other to bring one of England’s finest country house estates back to its former glory. Dive in and explore our projects in more detail!
Gifted to the National Trust in 1989, Stowe’s gardens underwent a £10 million restoration. Overgrown landscapes were cleared, temples restored, and lost statues recreated. Read all about in this visual article.
Let's Go Through A Time Machine