The garden at Stourhead, designed by the banker Henry Hoare II (1705-85), is a superb example of British landscape gardening. He was inspired by his travels and the work of Claude Lorraine and Nicolas Poussin, who presented nature by playing with shade to obtain admirable results. The flower-decked planted areas are studded with follies: temples, Alfred Tower, cottage... The residence also has a Regency library and gallery with an extensive collection of paintings.