Jane Austen fans: how to get to Stourhead Garden

Many in the writing community hold a special love for the 2005 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The film, directed by Joe Wright, gives viewers the cozy, romantic vibes of a regency era love story with the witty dialogue and deep characters that Austen’s works have come to be known for. But perhaps one of the most romantic elements of the film are the locations scattered across the United Kingdom that brought the movie to life.

Fans of the iconic love story between feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennett and the mysterious Mr. Darcy will not want to miss out on an opportunity to visit Stourhead Gardens just outside the small English town of Gillingham. This filming location was used as the setting for Darcy’s disastrous but swoon-worthy first proposal to Elizabeth, captured at the Temple of Apollo in the middle of a rainstorm.

The location itself can be a little tricky to get to for tourists and sight-seers without a car—which is why in today’s article, I’m going to tell you exactly how my husband and I did it earlier this summer when we traveled across the UK with nothing but our backpacks.

Choosing dates and times

Before purchasing any sort of tickets or mapping out an itinerary, you’ll want to check the Stourhead Gardens website and familiarize yourself with the days and times they are open. It would be so unfortunate to travel all that way only to realize that the Gardens closed earlier than you expected! The day we went to visit, the gardens closed at about 4:30 PM local time.

The property is managed by the UK’s National Trust, and there is an admission price to view the various structures on site. Purchase your tickets ahead of time to ensure they don’t sell out. The website will have the most up-to-date information on pricing.

Getting there from London

We were staying in London and caught a train from London Waterloo Station to Gillingham Dorset Station (a ride of roughly 2 hours, and which we paid around ￡140 for). Please make note on your itinerary that you need to travel to the Gillingham DORSET Station, which is west of London—there are two towns named Gillingham in England, the other being along the eastern English coast.

Once you reach Gillingham Dorset, you’ll want to catch a taxi. They frequent the pickup area outside the station until the final trains depart, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one. We paid ￡20 for the ride out, and another ￡20 for the ride back. It’s a good idea to have some cash on you for this trip in particular, since there is little to no cell phone service at Stourhead Gardens so cell phone payments won’t work.

Exploring the gardens

The Stourhead Gardens property includes a few different structures, including Stourhead House, which can be toured anytime during opening hours. There’s a 5.5-mile walking trail that forms a loop around the lake; I’d save at least half a day to walk it slowly and explore each area. While it is well-maintained, some areas of the trail are naturally steeper, including sets of historic stone stairs that take you down by the shores of the lake.

The Temple of Apollo is the structure that was used in the filming of the infamous Pride and Prejudice scene. When you enter the gardens, you’ll bear to the left of the lake, working clockwise, to visit the temple first. If you walk the trail counter-clockwise, this stop will be towards the end of your venture.

Getting back to London

Being without cell phone service tends to cause some anxiety for visitors in a foreign country, but luckily the estate at Stourhead has a local pub on location that is usually open later than the Gardens themselves. My husband and I asked the bartender to call the taxi for us (the pub has a good relationship with the drivers) and we were back to catch the train to London within 15 minutes. The last train to London will usually depart before 9:00 PM.

If nothing else, keep a mindful eye on the time. It is easy to get lost in the romantic atmosphere of Stourhead. On our trip, we found ourselves walking around the lake in the rain for over three hours without even realizing it. The Gardens are an absolutely stunning estate. Just promise me that when you get there, you’ll remember the famous exchange:

“‘Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you… I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony…’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.’

‘[…] From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.’”

—Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Again, be sure to refer to the Stourhead Gardens website for the most accurate information when you plan your trip. Safe travels!

Hannah L. Ackerman