Update on £800,000 revamp of National Trust 'paradise' lake

Stourhead, at the southern edge of Wiltshire, has seen £800,000 of conservation work on the historic dam get underway.

This conservation work is being carried out to maintain the buttress that holds the man-made lake at the world-famous site.

The dam was built over 275 years ago to flood the landscape to create a lake as a part of Henry Hoare’s vision of ‘Paradise Valley’. The lake is a defining feature of this world-famous landscape garden.  

According to the National Trust, recent monitoring has shown that the dam is increasingly allowing water through its embankment wall.

To prevent long-term damage and safeguard the landscape, specialist contractors have arrived to carry out essential repairs which include installing 4.5m long piles into the dam, spanning approximately 50m of a 220m dam. 

Nigel Hellier, National Trust project manager said: “The lake at Stourhead is the heart of the garden’s design and a vital part of its heritage. Holding around 178,000m³ of water, equivalent to more than 70 Olympic swimming pools, the dam is under constant pressure.

“A small leak can become a bigger problem, so these repairs are essential to maintaining the integrity and beauty of this historic landscape.” 

While a small section of the lake walk near the dam is closed during the works, the majority of paths remain open, and visitors will be able to see the conservation works taking place.

The National Trust has started £800,000 of conservation work on the historic dam at Stourhead. (Image: National Trust)

To ensure visitors can continue to enjoy the garden, two new walking routes have been introduced: Aeneas’s Walk, which takes in the Temple of Flora, Grotto and Pantheon; and Apollo’s Walk, from the Temple of Apollo.

 The house will also be open for bookable ‘Behind closed doors’ tours and whilst the work is ongoing, Stourhead will be offering a reduced entry fee of £15 per adult. National Trust members visit free. Works on the dam are expected to be complete prior to the Easter holidays. 

Tim Parker, head gardener at Stourhead said: “Stourhead is not Stourhead without it's magnificent garden lake, thus amplifying Henry Hoare's Paradise Valley, this was his final but most impactful stroke of the brush on the canvas of his living work of art situated in Wiltshire.

Looking across the lake towards the Pantheon with autumn colours, at Stourhead, Wiltshire (Image: National Trust)

“This repair work is essential to the long-term security and integrity of this world-renowned landscape and standout example of the Georgian landscape garden movement.

“The project team have carefully worked up a long-term solution that will enable the dam and lake to function for many years to come in a long history of maintenance and care. It is exciting to be a part of and witness this continuing history of Stourhead. Most importantly that a key component of the garden is maintained into the future.” 

Philip Niemand, General Manager for the National Trust at Stourhead: “Approximately £800,000 will be invested into this project which is about so much more than repairing a dam. It’s about safeguarding a masterpiece of Georgian design for everyone to enjoy, now and for the future.

“This is a rare opportunity for our visitors to witness conservation in action and to see the care and commitment that goes into protecting one of the nation’s most treasured landscapes.”