Oral History - Croome Before The National Trust

Croome Before the National Trust is a project undertaken by the Friends, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The main aim of this Oral History Project is to record Croome's relatively little known history in the twentieth century  before the National Trust began the restoration of the Park in 1996.

Much is known about Lancelot “Capability” Brown, Robert Adam, James Wyatt and the 6th Earl of Coventry and their creation of Croome in the eighteenth century, but, until now, those who worked in the Court and on the Estate in the first half of the twentieth century have not had their voices heard nor their experiences recorded. Similarly, RAF Defford, adjacent to Croome, was home to large numbers of personnel from the three services during the Second World War who played a vital role in the development of RADAR; they, too, have a hitherto untold story to tell.

These and other voices from the post-war history of Croome can now be heard as they tell us how they lived, worked and played. An audio-visual presentation in the restored RAF building at Croome, a display and two Audioposts in the basement of the Court and an illustrated booklet all help to make Croome’s more recent history before the National Trust much better known.

Powerpoint presentations to interested groups in the area can be arranged. We now have a team of ten working on this project and memories, information and images continue to be gathered to expand this invaluable archive in the future.

Having received two substantial donations we are now embarking on producing a CD called “Croome Voices”, which will include many excerpts from interviews.

Copies of the ‘Croome Before the National Trust’ booklet are available from the National Trust shop, priced £2.00

The Friends of Croome Park would love to hear from anyone else with Memories or stories of Croome. If you can help, please contact

Eileen Clement (email: croome-oral-history@hotmail.co.uk)