Repton walks at Stoneleigh Abbey

 

In 1809, Humphry Repton, famous landscape gardener, made his suggestions for alterations to the land surrounding Stoneleigh Abbey.  His hand-painted Red Book provided Reverend Thomas Leigh, owner of Stoneleigh Abbey at the time, with ample ideas for improvement.

Now, works have begun at Stoneleigh to restore the grounds as Repton intended.  Featuring spectacular views of the house from across the River Avon, the Repton Walk takes you into the woodland, where bluebells, snowdrops, deer, and many other native species thrive.  It was the preference of Repton that the alterations to the estate should enhance natural beauty rather than tame it, you can now experience an idyllic woodland setting unlike the manicured lawns at some other country houses.

Over the coming years, you will be able to watch the landscape transform as bridges are restored and reinstated, the Pump House is repaired and returned to working order, and a series of walks are reinstated and reopened for the you to enjoy.  Repairs will be made to the fences along the drive, and the ancient oak tree near the visitor car park, dated to be nearly a thousand years old, will be given a more stately setting befitting its majesty.

Parts of the project which have already been completed include the restoration of the gazebo on the river near the Orangery, the reinstatement of the reflective lake, repairs to the weirs upstream and restoration of the Georgian sluices. None of this work would have been possible with out the help, support, advise and fundings from  HLF and Natural England.

The Repton Walk provides you with a unique opportunity to appreciate the changes to the landscape as the works and the seasons progress.