SO8644 : Gallops at Kinnersley
taken 5 months ago, near to High Green, Worcestershire, England
The Panorama is one of the ‘eye-catchers’ or follies built for the 6th Earl of Coventry, who over a period of more than half a century commissioned Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’, Robert Adam and James Wyatt to work on Croome Court and its park. The Panorama Tower is one of three (the others being Dunstall Castle and Pirton Castle) follies which stand just outside the National Trust owned Croome Landscape Park. The Panorama Tower was one of the last follies at Croome to be built. Originally it was designed by Robert Adam, but never built during his lifetime. In was built between 1805-12, based on Adam’s design, it was James Wyatt who remodelled it in 1801. Built in Bath stone this two storey building is surrounded on the ground floor with four pairs of Tuscan columns. Within, a spiral cantilever stair leads to a domed round chamber on the upper floor, with a door giving access to a round viewing platform surrounded by a balustrade. The tower stands on Knight’s Hill and from the viewing platform there are fine views over the surrounding countryside. The view includes the highest points in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Shropshire. This Grade I listed building was acquired by the National Trust in 2009, along with Dunstall Castle and Pirton Castle, and all three have since undergone much needed restoration. The tower is normally open for visitors once or twice a month through the summer. Check the NT Croome website.