The Viper Barn and Courtyard

Start your visit in the newly renovated Viper Barn where William encountered the Viper which inspired him to write his mock-heroic poem ‘The Colubriad’.

Don’t miss: The stone carving from the ‘Lace Factory’ in the Courtyard and the view across the gardens to the spire of Olney Church.

‘Close by the threshold of a door nailed fast Three kittens sat; each kitten looked aghast; I passing swift and inattentive by, At the three kittens cast a careless eye, Not much concerned to know what they did there, Not deeming kittens worth a poet’s care. But presently a loud and furious hiss Caused me to stop and to exclaim, ‘What’s this?’ When lo! upon the threshold met my view, With head erect, and eyes of fiery hue, A viper, …’ 

– ‘The Colubriad, by William Cowper