Croome Court is a stately home and was the ancestral home of the Coventry family who became Earls of Coventry. The grounds are owned by the National Trust, while the house itself is leased to the National Trust.
The core of the house dates back to the early 17th century, but its external shell was added in the mid 18th century. John Adam was commissioned to undertake later work on the interior.
The estate was the first commission awarded to Lancelot “Capability” Brown; the core of the original 18th-century parkland has been restored by the National Trust.
The estate has the largest 18th-century walled garden in Europe, but this is owned privately and is only open to the public on certain days. It will not be open on the date of this visit.
The walk will take us on a circular route around the estate, taking in a number of its follies, ornate bridges, the Temple Greenhouse, the Grotto, various statuary and the church, whose interior was also designed by John Adam.
Entrance for non NT members to the house and grounds at Croome Court costs £18.
Visitors arriving by bicycle have free entry!
There should be time after the walk to visit the house. There is also a display of the role that the estate played in the Second World War as part of RAF Defford.