The construction of Bowood House was begun in 1720 by the Bridgeman family.
In 1754 the house was purchased by the 2nd Earl of Shelburne and was completed shortly afterwards.
The house seen today, however, is only a section of the original building.
After 200 years of prosperity the house had expanded to such an extent that in 1955, in order to preserve the estate as a whole, a large part of the house was demolished.
What remains is a perfectly proportioned Georgian house.
Today Bowood is the home of the Earl of Shelburne, son of the 8th Marquess of Lansdowne, who is the first in his family to make the house his permanent home.
The family has been committed to public service and from the time of 1st Marquess of Lansdowne in the 18th century they have produced a succession of great men including a Viceroy of India, a Governor General of Canada, a Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Prime Minister.
The Lords Lansdowne have also been keen collectors of fine art and sculpture.
In Robert Adam's Diocletian wing the former orangery now houses a collection of paintings and busts and a sculpture gallery which includes some of the famous Lansdowne Marbles. Also in the wing is the laboratory where Joseph Priestley, the tutor of the 1st Lord Lansdowne's sons, discovered oxygen in 1774.
Later John Ingenhouse discovered the process of photosynthesis at Bowood and was involved in pioneering work on a smallpox vaccine.
Other exhibitions in the house include items from the 5th Lord Lansdowne's time in India, Georgian costumes and a Victorian Room. The family's magnificent collection of jewels is also on display.
The house is surrounded by 2,000 acres of gardens and grounds landscaped by 'Capability' Brown between 1762 and 1768.
Among the features in the grounds are a formal terraced garden, Doric Temple, grotto, cascade, arboretum, pinetum and now a large adventure playground.
From late April to early June the Rhododendron Walks are open to the public.
2008:19 Mar-4 Nov: House: 11:00-17:30; Grounds 11:00-18:00; Closes an hour earlier after the autumn clock change. Times may vary on weekdays, outside school holidays. Rhododendron Walks: 11:00-18:00 daily from late Apr-early June. contact to check dates.
Tel: 01249 812102 Bowood House Website
