Croome: A Creation of Genius

Croome was the Worcestershire seat of the Earls of Coventry. During the eighteenth century it was remodelled by the 6th Earl, one of the most remarkable patrons and collectors of his generation. Croome's role in launching the careers of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and Robert Adam is now widely acknowledged. This new study examines Lord Coventry's role in this remarkable collaborative enterprise. His obsessive personality, charismatic leadership and aesthetic ambition drove the project forward for over 50 years in the relentless pursuit of perfection. The seventeenth-century brick house was transformed to become the centrepiece of the designed landscape, and a fashionable and elegant setting for his important collections, with a flair and originality that resonated throughout the cultural life of Georgian Britain. A perfect souvenir for visitors to Croome, and a fascinating read for all those interested in the art, landscaping and architecture of Georgian Britain.

Catherine Gordon is an architectural historian based in Worcestershire and author of various books on the region's history and buildings.