|
 |
Croome Park
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
One of the great landscape gardens in England, the first major project undertaken by 18th century landscape garden master Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. The garden was built from 1750 for the 6th Earl of Coventry, and is sprinkled with classical buildings designed by James Wyatt, Robert Adam, and Brown himself. Brown designed the park to create perfect 'pictures' from the windows of Croome House. Brown's work at Croome set the style for the next several decades of English country house and garden design, and as such it must be regarded as one of the landmarks in country house history.
The Earl and Brown struck up a firm friendship, and the Earl supported him in establishing his career. When Briown died in 1783, on his back from visiting the Earl, the latter erected a monument to him at Croome Park, overlooking the beautiful landscape they had forged together.
The major focal point of the park is a serpentine lake, enlarged to form at pool at one end, with two small islands in the middle. Brown is supposed to have designed the lake to echo the course of the River Severn nearby. Due to the boggy nature of the land here, Brown was forced to line the lake with clay to keep it watertight. There is a Chinese bridge, and a late 18th century grotto which was originally studded with semi-precious stones to create a glittering, shimmering interior. Closer to the house is a walled kitchen garden.
The largest building in the park is Temple Greenhouse, designed by Robert Adam in 1760. It was made to provide a home for the Earl's collection of exotic plants. The interior was kept warm through the winter months by fires lit in a brick bothy behind the building. Hot air from the bothy was drawn into the Greenhouse through empty spaces under the floor, much like a Roman hypocaust.
A short distance away is the parish church, with monuments to members of the Earl's family. It was also built by Capability Brown, who demolished the old medieval church on the site. The church is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, possibly as a tribute to the Earl's wife, Maria, acclaimed as one of the great beauties of her time.
There are miles of walks through the park. A new visitor centre has been created from old World War II RAF buildings. There you can see a special 'batcam', showing live video of roosting bats that have made Croome their home.
The house at Croome Park was closed for many years. It has undergone restoration and is now partially open to visitors. The house was also designed by Capability Brown, and features interiors by Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam. The house is in Palladian style, which was the vogue in Britain in the mid 18th century.
An article in a 1792 edition of Gentleman's Magazine said of Croome Park, 'Never did I see a more beautiful spot, nor any kept in such perfect order ...'
Croome D'Abitot,
Worcestershire,
England, WR8 9DW
About Croome Park
Attraction Type: Garden
Website: Croome Park
Email: croomepark@nationaltrust.org.uk
National Trust
Location
map
Croome Park Photos
OS SO888451
Heritage Rating:  ?
Photos of Croome Park
Gatehouse to Croome Park |
Classical temple |
Water garden |
See all Croome Park Photos
Nearest Accommodation to Croome Park
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 The Poop Deck -
3.6
miles from Croome Park
Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £295 |
 The Byre -
4.5
miles from Croome Park
Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £150 |
 The Orangery -
4.5
miles from Croome Park
Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £275 |
|
More
Self Catering near Croome Park
More Hotels near Croome Park
More
bed and breakfasts near Croome Park
Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Upton Upon Severn
Tourist Information Centre
4 High Street
Upton Upon Severn
Worcestershire
England
WR8 0HB
Tel: 01684 594200
Fax: 01684 594185
Email: upton.tic@malvernhills.gov.uk
Map
OS Maps
+
Get an
OS map centred on Croome D'Abitot
+
Related information
+ Search Britain
Express for more Information about Croome Park
or Croome D'Abitot
or Worcestershire
+
|
|
|
+Great British Heritage Pass+
|
|
Free entry to almost 600 top UK attractions
Visit castles,
gardens, abbeys, stately homes, Roman forts, museums, mills, historic
buildings, lighthouses, townhouses, museums, windmills, nature reserves,
stone circles, medieval tithe barns, industrial heritage sites,
dovecotes, battlefields, tunnels, cathedrals, bridges, and royal
palaces. Whew!
Great British Heritage Pass |
|
|
