The early Capability of Mr. Brown

[Birma]

Like many people we have an interesting historical site near to our house that, despite its close proximty (about 5 minutes drive) and familarity, we have never visited. It is a one time stately home and landscaped gardens and park, now run by the National Trust; Croome Park. On Sunday we made our first visit. The garden and park were the first designed by the famous (in the UK) 18th century landscape designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, and the first and only grand house he designed. It has been restored in the last 15 years after leading an interesting life in the 20th century when it was at different times a RAF hospital, a Catholic Boys school, and a Hari Krishna centre.

The family were kind enough to let me bring the Nex 5 with the 18-55 kit lens for a few pictures.


Croome Park - Under the cedar tree by Birm, on Flickr
There are many mature, large cedar trees in the gounds.


Croome Park - Church by Birm, on Flickr
A medieval church was demolished and replaced with this one - different sort of planning regulations they had then! I bet this wasn't as inconvenient as the entire village that was moved as it was spoiling the view .

[Birma]

Croome Park - Lake by Birm, on Flickr
There is an artificial lake and river. You can just see the big house in the background.


Croome Park - Cedar Tree by Birm, on Flickr
I found the trees and church on the hill the most interesting of the photographic opportunities.

(I hope I am not at risk from the National Trust lawyers through posting the pictures from their private property here. I saw that Paul had posted some in the last 12 months and so I assumed it was ok.)

[Dr. Harout]

Beautiful and splendid shots Birma.
Since the first and the last have the same view, I prefer the first.

[gio67]

I don't think you have to worry about the national trust, they would be proud of those photos,
I like the last better doc, just shows you how diverse even looking at pictures is

[Birma]

Thanks Doc and Gio67!

I liked the sky detail in the last, and also the glorious blue sky in the first .

[Greg Beetham]

Lots of big open spaces there Birma, one could easily envisage a golf course there, nice scenes and the church is great but I didn’t get to see the manor house properly, only one shot where it’s off in the distance behind the trees, so I’m left feeling a little deprived….sort of. Otoh I do like that scene with the water and trees just the same.
Greg

[Birma]

Thanks Greg - I have uploaded a few more images of the buildings - they are not always my favourite subject, as I prefer the trees and big views, but I did catch a couple.


Croome Park - Ice House by Birm, on Flickr
hehehe, not the main residence - one of the out buildings - it looked like a replica Iron Age Celtic round house when I first saw it, but actually it is an 18th century freezer, or where they stored the ice anyway.



Croome Park - Rotunda by Birm, on Flickr
Still not the 'big house', just one of the mainy follies in the grounds. There are a couple of mock ruined castles further off on the estate which I must visit - things that the idle rich found to do with their money!

[Birma]

Croome Park - Croome Court by Birm, on Flickr
Finally - this is the main residence, the Court itself. This was just a quick grab shot as we went past.


Croome Park - Round Tree by Birm, on Flickr
Another tree that I liked.

[aster]

Very much enjoying your most recent outing dear Birma. : ))

I like the vastness of the landscape in the estate but I love the second batch of your series most for the accompanying little amusing stories as well as the interesting architectural elements; the ice-age-alike ice-keeper is my favourite where a couple of little girls are also playing in front of the entrance which makes it all the more contrasty with all those colourful firls they're wearing.

The clarity of the shots and the fine details also caught my attention. That camera and the lens are good.

If you've got the energy, we've got the interest....for many more!


Yildiz

[cosmonaut1959]

Great pictures it looks like a nice place to hang out. The pictures are well composed.

[Birma]

Thank you Yildiz and Cosmonaut

[david antony]

You've done Lancelot proud Birma. Just brilliant.

[Greg Beetham]

Thanks for those Birma, you said once you found the rainforest interesting; well for me one of the really interesting things in the UK is the old buildings, a round stone slab ‘freezer’ with a thatched roof for example, now that is interesting; and the ‘Court’ looks grand as well…and I like your cone shaped tree inside the fence with the open space too. Good photos all.
Greg

[sury]

Nice sets Birma. Enjoyed the narratives as well. Felt like going on a tour. Thanks for the "virtual" tour.

Sury

[caporip]

Isnt the church administered by the Church conservation trust? It seems familiar somehow.

Great shots and a credit to to Capability although whenever someone mentions him I cant help but think of Terry Pratchett's character based on him - "Bloody Stupid" Johnson