Feature: A glimpse into prestigious Stowe School
But Stowe School isn’t exactly a normal school.
The annual boarding fees are in excess of £30,000 and alumni include entrepreneur Richard Branson, supermarket supremo Lord Sainsbury, British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg, actor David Niven and jazz singer George Melly.
Thousands of visitors got a glimpse into this privileged world at the grand opening of the new Welcome and Discovery Centre at Stowe House on Sunday, when entry was free to the house and the National Trust gardens.
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Hide AdVisitor services manager Ruth Peters said: “Its been a huge success.
“On a normal Sunday we have a few hundred, and today we have had more than 3,500.
“The key message today is to tell visitors that we are open to the public.
“We’ve been going for 15 years, but not in a big way. This is our splash.
“We are very family friendly and interactive.”
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Hide AdDuring term time access to the house, which is used by Stowe School for 750 pupils, is by guided tour only.
But during holiday times visitors are free to visit the state rooms at their leisure.
The new centre, created in the former wine cellars, tells the story of the history of the house, first as an enormous and elaborate home for a family, then its transformation into a school.
Stowe has been visited by everyone from Queen Victoria to the Beatles, and the house has been affiliated with four prime ministers.
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Hide AdIts history is fascinating. The Temple-Grenvilles, once the richest family in England, became the greatest debtors in the world.
Stowe, their greatest creation, was abandoned and its beautiful treasure sold.
In 1923 it was restored from the brink of demolition by the founders of Stowe School.
And in 1997 the Stowe House Preservation Trust was created to manage a restoration plan.
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Hide AdThe charm of Stowe House is that is it a fully functioning working property, but this can affect opening times.
Throughout August it is open 11am-5pm Sunday-Friday (closed Saturdays).
Full details of times and entry prices can be found at www.stowe.co.uk/house/visiting-stowe/opening-times