A walk in Croome's pleasure grounds
In 1824 William Dean, the Botanic Gardener at Croome, published a book catchily titled 'An historical and descriptive account of Croome D'Abitot, the seat of the Right Hon. the Earl of Coventry'. This book is known as the Hortus Croomensis. Within the book is a descriptive walk through the 'Pleasure Grounds'. This trail is a recreation of that walk. Originally a circular route starting at the rear of the house, which included a few areas that sadly no longer exist, today's walk starts from our Visitor Centre about halfway round the original circuit.
Total steps: 9
Total steps: 9
Start point
National Trust Croome Visitor Centre, near High Green, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW
Step 1
From the RAF Visitor Centre turn left into the Wilderness Walk and walk out to the church (at one time you would have been able to turn right and visit the arboretum and the flower gardens but sadly they no longer exist).
Step 2
From the church turn right and go through the gate into the Evergreen Shrubbery. Follow the path as it meanders through the shrubs. After a short distance you will reach four white plinths which mark the spots where statues of the Four Seasons once stood. Continuing on you will reach the Greenhouse Shrubbery which leads you to the Temple Greenhouse. From the Temple Greenhouse follow the path past the statue of the Druid and on under the Dry Arch Bridge towards the lake.
Step 3
Turn left across the rope bridge. (In William Dean's day there would have been a boat at this point to cross the 'river'). Then follow the path around the lake, cross the first of two bridges to the Island Pavilion and then the second bridge to continue around the lake to the Grotto and the statue of Sabrina. Carry on along the path around the lake and go back through the Dry Arch Bridge.
Step 4
Pass under the Dry Arch Bridge and turn immediately right up to the path above, turn left and follow the path to the house.
Step 5
Walk around the house to the rear entrance – it is from here the original walk started (you can detour to take a look at the Chinese Bridge if you wish). Standing on the steps looking out across the parkland, take the path to the left and eventually through the iron gate into the Home Shrubbery. Originally the path would have gone through what are now the private gardens you see to your left, where there was a dairy, a hot house and an aviary.
Step 6
Follow the path up the slope to the Rotunda. Keep an eye out on the left for our best example of a Ginkgo Tree (Ginkgo biloba) or maiden-hair tree.
Step 7
From the Rotunda follow the path through the shrubbery, keeping the wall of the Walled Gardens on your left. You will pass a monument on your left dedicated to George William, Earl of Coventry. Just before you reach the road you will see the entrance into the privately owned Walled Garden, which is open on selected weekends.
Step 8
Follow the path, crossing a tarmac road, into the Church Shrubbery, passing the bird hide to your right. Continue along the path and turn right at the crossroads to the Ice House. Once you have seen the Ice House return to the path and turn right towards the Church.
Step 9
Walk around the front of the church and follow the path through the gate into the Wilderness Walk and return to the Visitor Centre.
End point
National Trust Croome, Visitor Centre, near High Green, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW
Trail map
More near here
Park Seat circular walk at Croome
Enjoy this scenic 2.5-mile circular walk around the 'Capability' Brown-designed landscape in the parkland at Croome.
Conservation walk at Croome
A 4-mile circular walk around the parkland at Croome exploring the areas, follies and monuments that have been restored since conservation began in 1996.
An accessible walk at Croome
Explore Croome's parkland with the whole family on this buggy and wheelchair friendly walk, taking in the main highlights of the estate.
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