Survey of the High Roads of England and Wales. Part the First. / Comprising the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. etc.

by Edward S. Mogg

Stirling, —— Esq. [62]. (see [Thorn Croft])

Stinsford House, [109].

Stockton House, [207].

Stoke Park, [175], the seat of John Penn, Esq. one of the most charming residences in this part of the country. The house is built with brick, and covered with stucco: it consists of a large square centre, with two wings. The north front is ornamented with a colonnade, and approached by a flight of steps leading to the marble hall. The south front, 196 feet in length, is also adorned with a colonnade, above which is a projecting portico, sustaining an ornamental pediment. This mansion combines exterior magnificence with internal elegance and convenience, and is enriched with some good pictures. The park, though rather flat, commands some fine views, and is laid out with considerable taste.

Stoke Place, [26].

Stone Castle, [3], the seat of R. Talbot, Esq. originally a castellated dwelling; but a small square tower, now standing at the east end of the present mansion, is the only part that has any appearance of a fortress.

Stone Quarry House, [57].

Stour Head House, [172], the seat of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. The mansion was erected about the year 1721, by Henry Hoare, Esq. ancestor of the present possessor. Various alterations have subsequently been made, among which the erection of two wings, in 1798, are the most considerable, the one of which is appropriated to a picture gallery, and the other to a library; and, together with the other apartments, contain an exceedingly valuable and choice collection of paintings, drawings, books, and curiosities.

The pleasure grounds of Stour Head have an exalted claim to our attention, being replete with sylvan beauties, and picturesque varieties. The scenery, naturally grand and diversified, consisting of ridges of hills, deep narrow vallies, and rivulets, has been most judiciously cultivated. The sides and summits of the eminences are clothed with wood; one of the vallies is filled with water, by means of an artificial dam; and the woods and groves are enlivened throughout with walks, temples, seats, &c. From the house a close avenue of laurel hedges leads to the brow of a precipice, beneath which is seen the village church, and a few neat cottages in a dale; beyond it another hill rises equally rapid, covered with wood. From this spot a path, winding through a fine plantation, conducts to a spacious lake, which, though formed by art, presents a beautifully wild and diversified appearance, in some places, forming narrow creeks, and at other parts spreading its expansive bosom “to the garish eye of day.” In many parts it is enveloped in hanging woods, through which several temples appearing, greatly increase the beauty of the coup-d’œil. The description here given can convey but a very faint idea of the numerous beauties contained in these extensive and truly delightful gardens.

Within the grounds is an encampment of a circular form, consisting of a double ditch and vallum, with entrances towards the east and west: it occupies the entire ridge of a hill, and from the precipitous nature of the ground on all sides, must have been of considerable strength. The area within the outer ditch embraces an extent of seven acres, and its circuit is upwards of three furlongs. Near this entrenchment rises the Stour river, contiguous to the springs of which the ground ascends, rising westward to the summit of a considerable eminence, called King’s Settle, on which stands a lofty tower, built in honour of Alfred the Great, by Henry Hoare, Esq. grandfather to the present proprietor of Stour Head. Its form is triangular, with round towers at each corner, and it is one hundred and sixty feet high: a flight of steps on the inside leads to the top, which commands a most extensive and richly diversified prospect. Over the entrance is a statue of the Saxon Prince, with a tablet underneath, bearing the following inscription: “Alfred the Great, A. D. 879, on this summit erected his standard against Danish Invaders. To him we owe the origin of Juries, and the Creation of a Naval Force. Alfred, the light of a benighted Age, was a Philosopher and a Christian, the Father of his People, and Founder of the English Monarchy and Liberties.” Westward of this tower is an immense tumulus, denominated Jack’s Castle, which, when opened, was found to contain some burnt bones, with a small lance head of brass, and an axe, made of Sienite stone. The latter in a very perfect state.