Stanway House & Fountain

A Jacobean Jewel in the Cotswolds

Stanway House stands as one of the most beautiful examples of a Jacobean manor in England, its honey-coloured Guiting stone glowing warmly in the Cotswold light. Built and expanded over centuries, the house has been home to the Tracy family and their descendants, the Earls of Wemyss, for more than 500 years, and it remains a lived-in family home rather than a museum. This gives the interiors a relaxed, authentic feel, with fine antique furniture, William Morris wallpaper, and historic rooms such as the great hall, drawing room, and old library. The house’s architecture reflects its long history, from its medieval roots to its Stuart-era south front and later additions, all arranged in an elegant L-plan around a central courtyard.

The World’s Tallest Gravity Fountain

The gardens at Stanway are dominated by one of the most impressive water features in the country: a single-jet fountain that rises 300 feet (about 91 metres) into the air, making it the tallest gravity-fed fountain in the world. Set in a formal canal on a terrace above the house, the fountain is the centrepiece of an 18th-century water garden that was likely designed by Charles Bridgeman, one of Britain’s greatest landscape gardeners. The garden unfolds in a series of terraced lawns, a rare grasswork, and a pyramid that once marked the head of a long cascade. The fountain operates at set times each afternoon, creating a dramatic spectacle that draws visitors from across the region.

Water Garden, Mill and Ancient Barn

Beyond the fountain, the water garden includes a restored canal, several ponds, and sections of the original cascade, with plans to fully restore the upper cascade and its pools. A short walk leads to the fully restored watermill, which still works as a flour mill and offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional rural industry. Nearby stands the 14th-century tithe barn, built for Tewkesbury Abbey and later restored by Sir Philip Stott. Its massive rafters and undulating stone-slate roof give it a sense of grandeur and age, and it now serves as a striking backdrop to the lower garden and pond. Together, these elements create a landscape that feels both historic and harmonious.

A Lived-In Estate with English Charm

What sets Stanway apart is its atmosphere of quiet, lived-in elegance. The house is not polished to perfection; instead, it shows the marks of generations of family life, from slightly worn carpets to personal touches in the rooms. Guides and stewards are present but unobtrusive, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The estate also includes parkland, specimen trees, and avenues that frame views across the Severn Vale, enhancing the sense of a carefully managed, almost magical English landscape. Dogs are welcome on leads, and the grounds are particularly pleasant on warm days, with plenty of shade and open space for children to enjoy.

Visiting the House and Grounds

Stanway is open to the public on selected afternoons in summer, with separate admission for the house and fountain & gardens. Afternoon cream teas, homemade cakes, and locally produced ice cream are available in the tea room, often enjoyed by the pond near the tithe barn. The site is popular with couples, families, and garden enthusiasts, and it is especially rewarding for those interested in historic houses, landscape design, and traditional craftsmanship. Whether you come for the fountain’s spectacle, the house’s interiors, or the peaceful Cotswold setting, Stanway offers a memorable and distinctly English experience.