📍 severn stoke
Croome
Sweeping 18th-century parkland with a wild play area, an RAF Cold War museum and Capability Brown's restored landscape near the Malvern Hills
✦ We visited
We visited on a sunny weekday and had the wild play area almost to ourselves until lunchtime. The RAF Museum held the older children for longer than expected. The walk around the lake with younger ones took around an hour and was completely peaceful.
Croome is a vast 18th-century landscape park created by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown for the 6th Earl of Coventry and now cared for by the National Trust. The grounds cover around 700 acres and take in formal gardens, lakeside walks, temples, bridges and a restored pleasure garden. For families, the two play areas are the main draw: the wild play zone has a giant bird's nest, mud kitchens, a trim trail and space for den building, and the Outdoors Hub has activity sheets and explorer tools for younger visitors.
The other major attraction for older children is the RAF Cold War Museum, housed in a low grass-covered building inside the park. It tells the story of Croome's role as a top-secret signals station during the Cold War and includes aircraft, interactive exhibits and declassified documents that give the history a genuine atmosphere of tension and secrecy. The Church of St Mary Magdalene, also designed by Capability Brown and sitting within the grounds, is well worth a look.
The parkland rewards a long wander whatever the season. Brown's ha-ha, the serpentine lake and the collection of eye-catcher buildings give each section of the walk a different character. Gravel paths are mostly manageable with buggies though some areas can be muddy after rain. Allow at least half a day for the park alone and a full day if you plan to visit both the house and the RAF Museum.
Good for: outdoors, history, sensory. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
Is Croome good for young children?
Yes. The wild play area has a mud kitchen, trim trail and a giant bird's nest that works well for toddlers and children up to about eight or nine. The parkland is open enough that younger children can run freely, and the lake walk with a buggy is manageable on the main paths.
What is the RAF Museum at Croome?
The RAF Cold War Museum at Croome is housed in a former top-secret signals station inside the park. It includes aircraft, interactive exhibits and declassified documents about the site's role during the Cold War. It is best suited to children aged eight and above, though younger visitors enjoy seeing the aircraft.
Is there parking at Croome?
Yes, there is an on-site car park. Parking is free for National Trust members; non-members pay to park. Check the National Trust website for current parking charges before you visit.
