Compton Verney > Park
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Our Park is rich in history and has a multitude of activities for you to enjoy and explore throughout the year whatever the weather.

The Park at Compton Verney that you see today is the result of an 11-year restoration project that is still ongoing to restore the landscape to the one that Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown designed in 1768.

Top 10 things to do in the Park

  1. Spot bird and wildlife on a nature walk around the ‘Capability’ Brown paths
  2. Have a picnic with family and friends
  3. See baby birds on the lake from our new bird hide
  4. Explore a vision of the future at The Clearing, on the shores of the lake
  5. Have fun in our Forest School and outdoor activities every Thursday
  6. Take a moment to unwind and enjoy the bird song
  7. Discover new horizons with our orienteering courses
  8. Go on a tour and learn all about the Park
  9. Get fit with a jog, walk or Tai Chi session in the Park
  10. Spend the afternoon cloud gazing

Dogs at Compton Verney
Dogs on leads allowed in the Old Town Meadow only. In the Gallery and main park, assistance dogs only. Please call for details 01926 645 500.

The Compton Verney Landscape Restoration Project

This £3.7m capital and revenue scheme is supported by a £2.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund together with significant contributions from a whole range of other funders.

The project will preserve, restore and celebrate our outstanding  ‘Capability’ Brown landscape, Grade I listed Chapel and restoring this nationally-important heritage, a key objective is to enliven landscape with eyecatchers and activities which highlight the site’s history of innovative thinking, art, architectural change and ecological diversity.  The works include:

  • restore the ‘Capability’ Brown Chapel of 1776-9
  • build a Visitor Welcome Centre to tell the story of the site’s landscape, history and ecology as well as providing visitor facilities
  • expand learning, engagement and volunteering opportunities
  • secure and develop the biodiversity of the parkland and recreate original Georgian pathways so visitors can view different habitats while enjoying Brown’s sightlines
  • create two eyecatchers, bridge and wetland boardwalk in the landscape, drawing attention to the history of the site in refreshing new ways
  • use Brown’s landscape as a platform to bring together a range of interests – art, architecture, landscape design, health and wellbeing, music, history, and ecology – which will enable us engage with new audiences in totally new ways

The new Visitor Welcome Centre was completed earlier this year, as were the new pathways, boardwalk, pond-dipping platform, bird hide and site interpretation. The restoration of the chapel is nearing completion and the Grounds Maintenance Building is expected to become operational in September 2016.

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The flora, fauna and Capability Brown design of the Park at Compton Verney are great for wildlife. We are actively using these habitats to encourage biodiversity throughout the Park.

Woodland and the stunning parkland trees are home to a wide variety of birds, bugs and bats. Our bird hide, Forest Schools and Children’s discovery packs are just some of the way you can find out more about them.

The lake is rich with pondlife. Frogs, dragonflies, water boatmen and fish are just some of the creatures you can find here. Go along to the new Wilderness Area and have a go at pond dipping and see what you can discover.

Grassland such as the Old Town Meadow offers an ideal habitat for wildflowers and all kinds of butterflies during the summer months. Take a walk around the mown pathways here to explore and see some stunning views across the whole of the Park. Tweet us a picture of the flowers you find.

Parkland architecture like the Ice House is a great hang out space for bats. The Upper Bridge is often a resting place for dragonflies to warm up in the sun. The shadow of the bridge also offers a hiding place for small fish away from the eagle eyes of the Heron as he passes over.

West Lawn Cedar DJ 2008

Our Park is a great place to improve your health and wellness.

  • Take time out and slow down
  • Sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun and listening to the bird song
  • Take a walk around the buggy and wheelchair friendly pathways
  • Take part in our monthly Tai Chi sessions
  • Picnic in the park
  • Bring a sketchbook and draw in the Park

A Great Day Out at Compton Verney June 2015 (44)

  • Get outside with your children, play games, explore or take them to the woodland play area
  • Volunteering to help the grounds team
  • Go for a long walk around the Old Town Meadow
  • From August 2016 use our orienteering routes

A Great Day Out at Compton Verney June 2015 (61)

  • Take a grounds tour with our Head of Landscape
  • Take part in a bat night event
  • Go pond dipping and see what you can find
  • Try out our new bird hide and watch the wildlife

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Activities in the Park

Park

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