Croome Park - A Great Family Day Out
Croome Park, in Worcestershire was Lancelot “Capability” Brown's first completed landscape design. Commissioned by the 6th Early of Coventry, Croome Court was the centrepiece of the landscaping project with the garden shaped into what it is today in 1750. The classical Neo-Palladian architecture here was designed and created by Robert Adam, James Wyatt and Lancelot Brown himself. Their combined works have pushed the envelope on what garden and park designs should look like for many a future endeavours.
One of the reasons you and your kids would love Croome Park is its stunning, serpentine lake which forms a pool on one end and small islands near its middle. “Capability” Brown wanted the lake to act as a facsimile of the course of the nearby River Severn, though due to the land here he had to line the shores of the lake with clay, keeping it watertight. One may enjoy a lovely picnic on its shores, among the green trees and the picture-perfect exteriors of everything around. There is also a Chinese bridge and grotto made in the 18th century which was studded in semi-precious gemstones to give it a glittering, interesting interior. If you feel like exploring this place further, the traditional walled kitchen garden is also quite impressive.
The main building in the park to catch your eye will most likely be the Temple Greenhouse, the work of Robert Adam during 1760. Its interior was warmed up in the cold winter months through fires lit inside the adjacent brick bothy. The hot air coming from said fires was being drawn in the greenhouse itself through spacing under the floor, imitating the way a Roman hypocaust works.
You will have a chance to visit the nearby parish church, which still holds monuments to the members of the Earl's family. This church was also the work of “Capability” Brown, who sadly had to demolish the medieval church at this site before he could get to work. The church we see today is named after St. Mary Magdalene. It is rumoured this was done as a tribute to the Earl's wife, as she was known as a true beauty in her day and age.
There is something else however, something that spans far beyond 18th century construction that will catch the attention of your kids. It is a playground and restored buildings, commemorating WWII and Britain's daring resistance in one of the world's greatest conflicts. RAF Defford was a remote location and top secret base for the Vickers Wellington bombers used by the No.23 Operation Training Unit (OTU) during the 1940s, built around here on land given by the Earl.
As part of a major restoration scheme across the entire site at Croome Park, The National Trust enlisted the help of Image Playgrounds to undertake a completely unique, specifically designed project.
Your kids will have a chance to enjoy the beautifully-made playground, featuring a “crashed” fighter jet used as a slide, a bunker and control tower as well as a climbing wall in what looks to be a fun representation of a basic boot camp - an interesting deviation from the usual park and school playground equipment Image design and install.
Images: Croome park collection | glossom
About the author: Ruby Rogers is a 33 years old passionate blogger. She has been traveling since she was a little child. She lives in Gloucester, UK with her husband and two daughters, and loves planning family trips and exploring new places. You can read more useful tips for family vacations on: http://www.vacationhomes.net/vacation-rentals/united-kingdom/a11179.htm
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