Last updated on 23 December 09

Coombe Country Park

Photograph © Coombe Country Park
Photograph © Coombe Country Park
Photograph © Coombe Country Park

Gardenvisit Editorial

A house (now a hotel), on the remains of a Cistercian Abbey, with park and garden. Lancelot Brown designed the parks landscape and lake whilst W A Nesfield designed the terrace garden. The lake and garden were restored by Paul Edwards, who wrote a book on English Garden Ornament. Work is currently underway to restore Brown's historic site lines and recreate the fantastic views of his serpentine lake. Coombe Country Park also has a fantastic wildflower meadow, which is open March to September every year.

History

The origins of the park date back over 750 years when Cistercian monks began buying land to build their abbey. Over the years the estate has changed many hands and the once wooden abbey has been converted into the stone structure you can see today.

The estate has historical links with the infamous gunpowder plot, royalty and even Britain's most famous landscape architect Capability Brown. The abbey is currently used as an exclusive hotel but provides a striking scenic background to the beautiful formal gardens and arboretum. You can find out more about the parks history by visiting the history room in the Visitor Centre.

Address - Brinklow Road, Binley, nr Coventry, Warwickshire, England, CV3 2AB
Opening times - All year, Daily, Open 7.30am to dusk
Admission - Entrance is free to the park. A pay and display car park is in operation.
Website - Visit the Coombe Country Park website