Croome, Worcestershire | Great British walks

? Click here for step by step directions? Click here for our interactive map of all the walksDistance 3.5 miles (5.5km) Classification Easy Duration 1 hour 30 minutes Begins Croome visitor centre OS grid reference SO888451Walk in a nutshellAn easy tour of Capability Brown's first landscape garden, sticking close to the banks of the invented "Croome river", this is a magnificent introduction to what his revolutionary style was all about. You'll find the paths are mostly firm and smooth with occasional bridges and stiles, so it should be a very undemanding jaunt for most walkers.Why it's specialTastefully man-made rivers and lakes, livestock grazing at the steps of pseudo-ancient monuments, rolling lawns that reach up to the house: the glory and the fantastic eccentricity of landscape gardening comes alive at Croome. At the centre of it all is Croome Court, now open to visitors, and one of the few houses that Brown himself designed. It is an excellent example of the Palladian style, based on imitating the 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, who was himself imitating the architecture of ancient Rome.Keep your eyes peeled forBrown's approach was to draw the visitor's attention towards inspiring views by carefully positioning various follies and "eye-catchers" ? such as the Panorama Tower (pictured) ? around the landscape. Look out for the Park Seat, designed as a viewing station by Robert Adam in 1766. It offers a wonderful vista across the rest of the park on clear days. Pirton and Dunstall Castles are extraordinary too ? sham ruins of imaginary buildings, which are now authentically dilapidated.Recover afterwardsIn the park there is a choice of either the 1940s-style canteen at the RAF visitor centre, which serves meals, snacks, and afternoon tea, or the tearoom in Croome Court's old tapestry room, where you can get tea and cakes. Otherwise there are several traditional pubs nearby. The Walter de Cantelupe in Kempsey is great for a pint and packet of crisps.If it's tipping downThe unassuming Malvern Museum features various displays of local history. Alternatively, Greyfriars is a restored late-medieval merchant's house slap-bang in the centre of Worcester. Built in 1480, it narrowly escaped demolition after the second world war. Take a peak at the delightful walled garden if the rain lets up.How to get therePershore train station is 7 miles away. From there (or from Worcester) you can get the 382 bus alighting at Ladywood Road/Rebecca Road crossroads (2 miles from Croome). From 3 June to 16 September you can catch the 381 bus direct to Croome from Worcester bus station or Pershore train station.Step by step1 Follow the path through the "wild walk" shrubbery and on through the gate. Just before the church turn left through the churchyard. Exit through the gate on the other side and continue straight on to the road.2 Turn right and follow the road to the London Arch. On the bend you will see a gate and stile. Cross the stile and follow the concrete path until it ends.3 Keep walking past a line of oak trees on your left.4 Walk along the ridge and, just before you reach a wooden gate, turn right and follow the fence line downhill, until you see the Park Seat on your left. Continue downhill, go through the gate and ahead until you reach the river, then turn left.5 Follow the path around the end of the river and across a wooden bridge.6 Continue walking with the water on your right. Go through the gate then to the right along the footpath.7 Continue along the river, round the bend, past a footbridge across the river and along the garden edge.8 You'll see the end of the lake. At this point leave the field and turn right on to the lane. Follow the lane until you can see the stone Pier Gates on your right. Go through the pedestrian gate, and follow the carriage drive ahead.9 Passing over the Dry Arch bridge, head through the gate and follow the path towards the court. Continue round the edge of the field and up the hill, back to the church.Walking holidaysArchitectureguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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