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Croome Court - Worcestershire.

 

The principal building at Croome was the home of the Coventry family since the 16th century, though the building in its current form was started in 1751.

The Long Gallery in the House served as the school’s refectory with food brought up from a kitchen in the basement by means of a ‘dumb-waiter’. When the nuns weren't looking, some of the boys used the dumb waiter as a lift to the ground floor with contraband biscuits. The boys used the field on the north side of the court as their sports ground, storing their outdoor shoes in purpose-built wooden racks in the basement. The school continued at Croome until July 1979

 

 

 In the grounds of Croome Court is Dunstall Castle a Grade II* listed Dunstall Castle was designed by Robert Adam in 1766. Adam deliberately designed it as a whimsical folly with elements of both a castle and a church. Inside the central tower, a steep spiral staircase leads to a platform with views to the 'Capability' Brown designed landscape, Croome Court and the surrounding countryside.

 

Unbeknown to many at the time, the Croome estate housed RAF Defford during the Second World War. Much of the land required for RAF Defford was requisitioned from the Earl of Coventry in 1940, with the station’s technical area being built on the eastern part of Croome park. The laying of the runways necessitated the closure of a public road and extended across Defford Common.

Various communal and domestic sites, including the Station Sick Quarters, were clustered around Croome Court to house over 2,000 service personnel and scientists who tested radar at this secret airbase to meet new enemy threats.

 

Prices:

> National Trust Member: £37.00 *Free Entry with Valid National Trust Membership*

> Non-Member £37.00 *Admission/Entry Payable on day*

 

Prices for non national trust members is £14.25 per adult

 

Joining Points – Route Code B ( NEW ROUTE CODE)

 

07:30 – Weoley Castle Square

07:32 – Selly Oak

07:36 – Bournville Green

07:40 – Cotteridge Church

07:44 – Bunbury Road

07:50 – Northfield High Street

07:56 – Longbridge (Technology Park)

08:02 – Rubery Great Park

08:10 – Woodgate Shops (Wood Lane)

08:12 – Woodgate Service Station

08:14 – Kent Road, Manor Vets

08:16 – Kent Road, Stag & Three Horseshoes

08:22 – Blackheath

08:30 – Halesowen

 

 

See 'Pick-up Points' above for map of exact pick-up locations and times.

 

What's Included?

Executive Return Coach Travel and Carvery.

 

 

Special thanks National Trust for the use of  their images.

These digital images are the property of National Trust Images and are protected by copyright law.

NT website Croome website