Stanway House & Fountain
Stanway House & Fountain
Stanway House & Fountain
4.5
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
About
This beautiful manor house is complemented by a restored 18th-century water garden and magnificent fountain, one of the world’s tallest garden fountains reaching more than 300 feet high.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
104 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
1
CJH
12 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
House fantastic, water wheel driven mill fantastic, fountain fantastic BUT the cafe lot it all down. £20 for 3 tea bag teas and 3 slices of cake! Trouble is £20 cannot be divided by 3. When I questioned it, I was told they charge £2.50 for the cup of tea and insisted each piece of cake was £3.50 even though it had a £2.50 price tag on it! Even worse the next customer was charged £15 for 3 teas and 3 cakes....work that one out. So go and enjoy the house and fountain but DON'T be tempted by the cafe
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dot H
Ipswich, UK201 contributions
Jul 2021
We were lucky enough to visit Stanway with a private group tour. Very informative and enthusiastic guide made the visit very enjoyable. Delightful grounds and of course the very impressive fountain. We also had lunch in the grounds (ploughmans, followed by delicious homemade cakes). Well worth visiting if you get the chance
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
demoncodger
Bromsgrove, UK368 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
In his introduction and welcome, the owner the Earl of Wemyss. describes Stanway as the friendliest of houses with a magical atmosphere and with a sense of time that stood still. We found it to be all of that and thoroughly enjoyed our visit on a pleasant sunny afternoon.
Seeing the beautifully kept lawns that surround the superb Cotswold stone manor house, I am not sure that we were quite prepared for the state of the interior which could politely be described as homely or probably more accurately, somewhat shabby. However, that made it all the more interesting as a very much lived in home. To prove it, we passed one open door with a notice inviting visitors to come in which we duly obeyed to find Lord Wemyss (the 13th Earl no less) working at his desk complete with dog and secretary also in the room! We had stumbled upon the office but he clearly didn't mind our intrusion into what in most similar places would have been very much a 'Visitors Keep Out or Else' area. That seemed to sum up the friendliness of the place which was echoed by the stewards we encountered in several of the rooms.
The excellent audio tour, with an informative and at times amusing commentary by his lordship, is essential if you really want to learn about the house, its contents and the family history and is well worth taking the extra time to listen. The water garden, still under restoration, complete with the highest gravity fed fountain in the world is something to linger over. The fountain is fired for a couple of half hour spells during the afternoon and is truly spectacular.
Don't miss the beautifully restored water mill a short walk away through the woods where milled flour is on sale. It costs extra but if you are members of the Historic Houses Association, entry to everything is free on production of your membership card.
We rounded off our afternoon at Stanway with a visit to the tearoom for an excellent cup of tea and a slice of delicious Victoria Sponge and then a look round the magnificent tithe barn which also doubles as visitor reception.
Stanway is not a stately home in the usual sense but, in many ways, more interesting and provided us with a different, but very enjoyable, afternoon out which we intend to revisit before too long.
Seeing the beautifully kept lawns that surround the superb Cotswold stone manor house, I am not sure that we were quite prepared for the state of the interior which could politely be described as homely or probably more accurately, somewhat shabby. However, that made it all the more interesting as a very much lived in home. To prove it, we passed one open door with a notice inviting visitors to come in which we duly obeyed to find Lord Wemyss (the 13th Earl no less) working at his desk complete with dog and secretary also in the room! We had stumbled upon the office but he clearly didn't mind our intrusion into what in most similar places would have been very much a 'Visitors Keep Out or Else' area. That seemed to sum up the friendliness of the place which was echoed by the stewards we encountered in several of the rooms.
The excellent audio tour, with an informative and at times amusing commentary by his lordship, is essential if you really want to learn about the house, its contents and the family history and is well worth taking the extra time to listen. The water garden, still under restoration, complete with the highest gravity fed fountain in the world is something to linger over. The fountain is fired for a couple of half hour spells during the afternoon and is truly spectacular.
Don't miss the beautifully restored water mill a short walk away through the woods where milled flour is on sale. It costs extra but if you are members of the Historic Houses Association, entry to everything is free on production of your membership card.
We rounded off our afternoon at Stanway with a visit to the tearoom for an excellent cup of tea and a slice of delicious Victoria Sponge and then a look round the magnificent tithe barn which also doubles as visitor reception.
Stanway is not a stately home in the usual sense but, in many ways, more interesting and provided us with a different, but very enjoyable, afternoon out which we intend to revisit before too long.
Written June 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saysomething77
Naples, FL39 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
This is a step back in time before visiting historic houses went commercial. The house is open for two days a week in the afternoon, so like like other reviewers I would advise that you check the website. The car park is free, in a level field just across the road from the front gate.
You pay entrance at a table set out on the drive, with a lovely lady advising you where the best place to see the fountain. She didn't try to sell you a booklet on the venue, of gift aid your life away. The man in front of us was on crutches and I was very impressed how she helped him.
I did ring to ask about queues to the venue, but there is only a delay when there is a coach party.
The garden has tiered lawns and you can walk in the woods to the mill about 200 metres away. we walked up the hill to the lake, where paths had been mowed through the wild meadow areas.
The fountain was spectacular, very impressive and lovely to watch, The rainbow spectrum on the water in the sunshine was a delight.
We when to the cafe in the old stable block and enjoyed tea and cake for 3 people for under £6.00. There were tables set out in the courtyard for you to enjoy your tea in the sunshine.
The cakes where homemade and the ladies in the cafe where so helpful. They sell Stanway beer which is also made here, the lady serving us told us in the barn next door .
I had a very enjoyable afternoon here.
You pay entrance at a table set out on the drive, with a lovely lady advising you where the best place to see the fountain. She didn't try to sell you a booklet on the venue, of gift aid your life away. The man in front of us was on crutches and I was very impressed how she helped him.
I did ring to ask about queues to the venue, but there is only a delay when there is a coach party.
The garden has tiered lawns and you can walk in the woods to the mill about 200 metres away. we walked up the hill to the lake, where paths had been mowed through the wild meadow areas.
The fountain was spectacular, very impressive and lovely to watch, The rainbow spectrum on the water in the sunshine was a delight.
We when to the cafe in the old stable block and enjoyed tea and cake for 3 people for under £6.00. There were tables set out in the courtyard for you to enjoy your tea in the sunshine.
The cakes where homemade and the ladies in the cafe where so helpful. They sell Stanway beer which is also made here, the lady serving us told us in the barn next door .
I had a very enjoyable afternoon here.
Written August 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christinedavidson39
Bristol, UK83 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
I had walked past the house when doing the Cotswold Way and had always wanted to return to look round so when we booked to stay a week in Chipping Campden, we decided to visit the house and gardens which didn't open until 2.00pm so there was a long queue to get in . There was no map of the site, no signs showing us where to go. We were just left to wander round .We eventually found the fountain which is worth seeing, and the we explored and found the watermill. It is worth going to as long as you are fit enough to go up and down very narrow rickety stairs. There is nothing to see in the so called gardens and the tour of the house inside was the worst I have ever seen in this country. I have heard of shabby chic but this was just shabby . I would be ashamed if it was my house and people were paying a lot of money to see it and who ever lives there has an obsession with Hitler with books all over on display . Do not waste your money by visiting
Written June 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dekalbill
DeKalb, IL581 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Yes, the fountain and gardens at the Stanton House are nice and unusual, but the tour of the house was awkward. Rooms were "lived in" and I felt like an intruder in a messy, in need of repair rooms. Plan a visit based on limited days it is open.
Written July 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sy1950
Memphis, TN82 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
This was not the best managed property. Large crowd of people in house and not enough handsets for everyone. If they don't have enough handsets they should have printed material in each room like most other stately homes have.
the fountain was nice, but not really worth a special trip.
the fountain was nice, but not really worth a special trip.
Written August 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandalian
Yorkshire, UK503 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Visiting this place one is left wondering whether the owners really want visitors. Perhaps they don't really but when one is charging people to enter the least they can do is provide a better set of signs which include "private" on a ramshackle gate which is actually the entrance and then a complete lack of signs to identify the route to the main attraction. The refreshment facilities are in a dingy stable with minimal conversion and whilst the elderly ladies staffing it can no doubt bake a cake they do not appear to understand the need to provide wider choice in soft drinks (Ie other than 100% sugar Coca Cola) not to mention the need for them to be cold on a hot day. Perhaps the aristocrats have failed to provide the necessary fridge facilities. The gardens or what might be described as the formal gardens are a disgraceful example of a lack of effective gardening being mainly overgrown and full of weeds.
That leaves the main attraction IE the Fountain which is billed as reaching 300 feet in height. Well judging by the scaling I was able to do from photographing it with people in close proximity I would be very surprised if it reached 100 feet. I imagine that water levels at the top of the collapsed former water terrace are low at this time of year. Overall this is a poorly run attraction in need of considerable investment.
That leaves the main attraction IE the Fountain which is billed as reaching 300 feet in height. Well judging by the scaling I was able to do from photographing it with people in close proximity I would be very surprised if it reached 100 feet. I imagine that water levels at the top of the collapsed former water terrace are low at this time of year. Overall this is a poorly run attraction in need of considerable investment.
Written August 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mozartonholiday
England, UK133 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Visited on a sunny Thursday in August. The house and gardens are open on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in the summer. Make sure you check opening times before making a visit. Arrived just in time to see the fountain in its full glory. Lovely grounds to walk around with a few places to sit and admire the views. We didn't go into the mill but it looked like it would be worth a visit on another occasion. Remember this is a home that is loved and lived in and therefore it is not a hugely commercial venture with gift shops and restaurants. Enjoy it for what it is!
Written September 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
don c
Salem, SC81 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
5 pounds per adult. House needs lots of repair but some interesting items to see. Owner lives there full time and has limited visitation times. The 2nd tallest fountain in Europe is worth the visit. Gardens are overgrown.
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
398JohnT398
Liverpool, UK19 contributions
Are dogs allowed please.
Marilyn0909
Caernarfon, UK201 contributions
Hi, The owner has a dog that goes around with him so I should think that dogs would be allowed in the gardens - and so you'd see the fountain. As for the House, I'm not sure so would advise you to phone. Hope this helps. M
Can I walk here from the railway station,
Tony G
Cricklade, UK864 contributions
Simple answer is technically Yes. It's about a mile. But, a number of points. By station I presume you mean Toddington. If so this is part of the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam enthusiasts railway and not part of the national network. That said it would be possible to visit from Cheltenham if you could get to the racecourse and walk across to the station which is at the end of the line, catch a train up to Toddington then walk. There is the next issue. The B4077 which you would logically take eastwards is a country main road that crosses the Cotswolds. It has no footpath, is very busy and rises up the edge of the hills. So not a pleasant stroll at the best of times. I'm not sure whether there is a footpath running through the fields that links to the Cotswold Way national trail that runs by Stanway as I've never tried to walk to the House. Lastly Stanway is a minor country house. The main attraction is undoubtedly the spectacular fountain but the gardens are not particularly memorable nor large. Also you cannot go inside the house.
So..... it's all possible but honestly why would you? However don't let me put you off completely if you are the adventurous type, you just need to understand what you are attempting. Good luck.
megryan442000
Gloucester, UK2 contributions
I plan to visit to see the gardens and fountain, but do need to know if there are toilets close by.
Lorraine D
Winchcombe, UK41 contributions
Toilets on site
Jane B
Cheltenham, UK6 contributions
Do you do civil weddings
Lorraine D
Winchcombe, UK41 contributions
No they only do wedding receptions
Lee T
Leicester, UK4 contributions
I feel a burning need to know what kind of person would write such a nasty review about such a beautiful place. christinedavidson39
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Claim your listingStanway House & Fountain - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Stanway House & Fountain
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