THE landmark Pantheon at Stourhead has reopened to visitors after nine months of vital repairs.

Alan Power, Stourhead’s head gardener, said: “The garden is showing definite signs of autumn, with strong pockets of colour arriving.

“To really appreciate the change that happens in autumn, you should visit a few times, to experience just how the garden develops throughout the season, and how the landscape changes.”

The Pantheon, perhaps the most important feature in the worldfamous landscape gardens, has undergone a nine-month programme of much-needed conservation repairs.

Extensive work has been carried out on the portico roof, stonework and steps – thanks to a grant of more than £260,000 from the SITA Trust. Designed by the famous architect Henry Flitcroft and modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, the structure was built in the mid-18th century.

Alan added: “The Pantheon is now looking fantastic and ready for the spectacular autumn show of colour. It’s set to be the centrepiece of the garden again for many years to come, and will delight future generations.”

Mild temperatures have resulted in a more gradual change in the garden this year, with the autumn spectacle looking set to last from late October into November.

With the colour working its way across Stourhead, the first to turn red are the silver maples and birch trees. And any cold snap will encourage more and more trees to rapidly change colour. An added bonus is the sweet smell of candy floss wafting from the Katsura trees.

To get a daily update on how the autumn colours are developing at Stourhead call the special seasonal ‘leaf line’ on 01747 841152.

This ‘leaf line’ has regular recorded messages from Alan on the latest autumn colour, and there are further updates on Facebook – facebook.com/stourheadnationaltrust.