James Donald Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss and March, lives at Stanway House with his wife, Amanda Feilding. His family has lived there since the 16th century, when Thomas Cromwell persuaded Tewkesbury Abbey, who owned the estate, to give the lands to Richard Tracy.  It’s thought that Tracy’s son commissioned works on the house in 1580 and the Jacobean gateway was added in 1630.

The Stanway Water Garden was then built in the 1720s for John Tracy. The gardens were designed by Charles Bridgeman, who was the Royal Gardener from 1727 and who invented the English style of gardening. The canal, and partially restored cascade, are very typical of his work. The water theme continues with the Tithe Barn Pond, which is surrounded by terraced lawns and trees. In the middle of the Canal you’ll find a single-jet fountain which shoots water up to 300 feet; it’s the tallest fountain in Britain and the tallest gravity fountain in the world. It was designed by Paul Edwards and was opened in 2004. The house is often open in the summer and you can arrange private tours at other times.

Don't miss our interview with Lord Wemyss.