Building record 0420802028 - ROTUNDA, Home Park, Stowe Landscape Gardens

Plan Form - Circular.
Brief description in c.1862 (B5) and in early 20th century (B6).
Description, location plan & photo (B7).
Grade I. Circular structure with open Ionic collonade. 1721 by Vanbrugh. Dome added by Borra before 1763 (B14).
A watching brief was carried out whilst restoration work was carried out on the building (i.e. the lifting of steps, cleaning stonework and removal of the lead roof). The domed roof consisted of a series of semi-circular rafters radiating out from a central crown. Dendrochronology gives a date of 1752 for the upper part of these rafters which corresponds precisely with records in the accounts of Stowe. The feet of the rafters had been repaired in the 19th century. It was discovered that this timber actually dated to 1799 and 1811. The iron sheeting had an engraved inscription ' John Turpin 1898'. (B18, B34).
The National Trust Survey of Stowe undertaken in 1989 noted that the buidling originally contained a statue of Venus and was called the Temple of Venus, and later it contained a statue of Bacchus. The building's purpose was to form a second focus for Bridgeman's new formal gardens (B19).
Included in English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register. In 1999 described as priority F: 'Repair scheme in progress' (B37).