Stowe Garden was one of the greatest landscape gardens of the 18th century. It was constructed of follies, bridges with man-made lakes, and beautiful temples. This garden and its temples were not only appealing to the eye but also the soul of the visitor. Charles Bridgeman, James Gibbs, and William Kent were architects/ landscapers who have contributed to the beautiful work at Stowe.
Charles Bridgeman was one of the main figures to change the style of landscape gardening to freer style with more structural and wilderness elements (Robinson 17). An English garden designer much influenced by the French style (Robinson 17). He was very good at approaching landscape in terms of formal, transitional, and progressive (Robinson 17). Charles played 'a crucial role' in the transition from the geometric layouts of the late 1600's and early 1700's with designs of William Kent and Lancelot Brown (Tatter). Charles was responsible for the first phase of Lord Cobhams garden, and designed the first ornament structures at Stowe. Bridgeman also worked on garden designs at Rousham House in Oxfordshire from a beautiful outdoor theater to magnificent fountains around the place (Robinson 20). As the author in the book, "Temples of Delight"," said "His work is now considered as being the work to wonder at ". .
James Gibbs was also another main architect who was a part of the Stowe Garden. He was Born in 1682 and Died in 1754 (Meades). He was a Scottish, a Tory, and a catholic (Meades). He was born in Scotland, studied architecture in Rome, and practiced mainly in England (Hunt 20). He was known as one of Britain's most influential architects. His most important works were St Martin-in-the-Fields, in London, and the cylindrical, domed Radcliffe Camera at Oxford University (Robinson76). .
James Gibbs was introduced to Lord Cobham by Bridgeman, and as responsible for the designs of a few of the pavilions in the east part of the Stowe Garden, and the most famous one was the Gothic temple (Robinson 77).
