Visitors approaching along the avenue in their carriages could see the arch from about a mile away. But the house didn’t come into view until they got quite close to the arch. Once through it, the vista opened up.

They’d see the house in its Capability Brown designed setting, but not for long; Stowe Avenue ends here and the drive then took carriages to the left, along a tree lined avenue.

Visitors would see tantalising glimpses of the house as they went up the drive, then their carriage would swing round onto Oxford Avenue, a short while later they’d see the impressive North Front and main entrance.

Instead of the four engaged columns seen on the rear, on the front face there are four large pilasters (part columns). Only about a quarter of each square column protrudes from the front wall, but on the rear the engaged columns have about three-quarters of their diameter showing.
On each side of the arch are two quadrant walls, and at the end of each wall is an urn on top of a single column

You can get to see the Corinthian Arch close up as I did, though bear in mind that it is somebody’s home. To reach it I parked down the hill at Chackmore then walked a third of a mile or so up the avenue. But I think you can park near the National Trust cafe for free and it’s a shorter, more level walk.

There is a small house in each side of the arch. Except for one tiny, hard to spot window for each house on the inside of the arch, all their windows are in the end walls, out of sight of visitors. At least one house is presently occupied.

The visitor’s first view of the great house.

A close look at the finely carved acanthus leaves on the front face.