The Pantheon

The Pantheon is a Grade I listed temple located in Stourhead Gardens, built between 1753 and 1754 by architect Henry Flitcroft for Henry Hoare. Constructed from limestone ashlar, it features a tetrastyle in antis Corinthian portico supported by a six-step stylobate. The portico includes flanking semi-circular niches with eared architraves and pediments, housing lead statues of Bacchus and Venus Callipygos, likely created by John Cheere. The structure has a modillioned entablature and pediment, with the right returns displaying empty pedimented niches.

At the rear, the portico narrows into a vestibule with blind external walls, leading to an octagonal temple that also has blind walls and a drum topped by a lead dome. The rear wall retains the roofline and a corbelled stack from a former room that contained a stove, which allowed warm air to circulate into the temple through a grille.

Inside the portico, there are double doors with six fielded panels set in a moulded architrave with a pediment, opening into the vestibule. This vestibule features semi-circular niches with urns on pedestals and a groin vaulted ceiling. Two steps lead up to wrought iron gates designed by Benjamin Smith of Westminster, set in a semi-circular arched opening that leads into the temple.

The interior of the circular temple boasts a coffered ceiling with a frieze of bucrania and garlands, along with a modillioned cornice. The dome is illuminated by a stained glass circular window. The walls are lined with seven egg and dart moulded niches, with the niche opposite the entrance housing Rysbrack's renowned statue of Hercules from 1747. To the left of Hercules is Rysbrack's statue of Flora, alongside a lead statue of Diana and St Susanna. To the right of Hercules are an antique marble statue of Livia Augusta as Ceres, and plaster statues of Meleager by John Cheere and Isis. Above the niches and door are eight plaster relief panels depicting classical scenes by Benjamin Carter.

Originally named the Temple of Hercules, The Pantheon was constructed to showcase Rysbrack's statue and is considered a significant feature of the Gardens, serving as a focal point for views across the lake from various vantage points.