Winter Walks - Captivating Croome

Having recently visited Broadway Tower, the 18th Century folly commissioned by William George, the 6th Earl of Coventry, we decided that this week's outing should be a revisit to the Earl's former seat, the magnificent Neo-Palladian mansion of Croome Court.

After he inherited the family estate in 1744, George William (1722 - 1809) employed landscape gardener Lancelot "Capability" Brown and architect Robert Adam, the pioneer of Neo-Classical taste in Britain, to transform the old family home into a place of artistry and beauty. The project was finally completed in 1751.

Croome was ‘Capability’ Brown’s first large scale commission and is often described as his 'first and most favourite child'.

The icehouse

The Rotunda

During the Second World War, Croome Court was requisitioned by the Ministry of Works and leased for a year to the Dutch Government as a possible refuge for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to escape the Nazi occupation.  Part of the Croome estate was also requisitioned and developed into RAF Defford.  In May 1942, the Telecommunications Flying Unit transferred its aircraft to RAF Defford and by 1945 there were approximately 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft on the station.  The current Croome Visitor Centre and restaurant is housed in the Second World War hospital.

Made from coade, a hardwearing artificial stone, the Sphynxes were installed by architect Robert Wyatt in 1800

In 1948, after the Coventry family fell onto hard times they sold the Court along with 38 acres of land to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.  The mansion became St Joseph's School for disadvantaged boys, run by nuns from 1950 until 1979.

In 1979 Croome was bought by Hare Krishna devotees (reputedly funded by George Harrison) and served as a commune for fifteen years. It was then sold to a succession of property developers but the cost of the upkeep spiralled out of control. 

Sabrina at The Grotto, like the Sphynxes, also made with Coade stone

In 1996 The National Trust acquired the overgrown parkland, embarking on the huge task of restoration then, in 2007, the Croome Heritage Trust bought Croome Court and leased it to the Trust enabling it to open to the public in 2009. The property was repaired to make it watertight and structurally sound and is now in the process of being restored. The National Trust is gradually acquiring some of the original furniture and artworks sold by the Coventry family in an attempt to clear their debts and the house is no longer the empty shell it was when we first visited.

These packing crates contain the original bookcases, newly delivered from the V&A museum and ready for construction sometime this year. Most of the fireplaces are by Robert Adam, miraculously still intact after Croome's chequered history.

Dressed for the Antarctic! Jon's wearing the charity shopped coat he bought the previous day. I've had my Handbag mittens, which are attached to a string worn around the neck, since my first day at school in 1971. My Mum bought them from Baggage & General, Van Allan's accessories department, she liked to buy things I'd grow into! 

The black and white photograph by renowned photographer, Tim Barrow, is Ted, the rebellious 11th Earl of Coventry, who became Britain's first surf champion and died in dubious circumstances (see HERE) in Hawaii in 1997 at the age of 39.

To the left of Croome Court stands the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Croome D'Abitot.

The original church was demolished by William George and replaced by the one that stands today, designed by Robert Adam and completed in 1763. The opulent monuments of the former Barons and Earls of Coventry were brought from the old church, the earliest - in black and white marble - shows the 1st Lord, who died in 1639, reclining under a canopy. 

After almost three hours of walking, exploring and chatting to volunteers & visitors alike, we returned to the warmth of Patrice for a car picnic before the 50-minute journey back home. We do love our winter walks. 

See you soon!