A NEW walking route for visitors has opened allowing visitors to explore a previously unseen area of a parkland, near Pershore.

After a year of hard work the walk through the Home Shrubbery at Croome was originally used by the 6th Earl of Coventry to showcase his finest, most valuable and rarest plant specimens.

And it was a favourite walk of the family to reach the church, which also stands within Croome’s grounds.

Archaeologists from the Young Archaeologists Club excavated the area and unearthed the exact location of the original 18th century path.

This original route has been retained and the historic surface is underneath the new path forming its foundation.

Whilst walking the new route, visitors will pass a restored plinth for the 6th Earl’s memorial swirl urn. The plinth has been restored thanks to funds totalling more than £7,000 from the Friends of Croome, but the swirl urn is yet to be reinstated.

Walkers will pass many species of trees during the walk including, Beech, Hornbeam, Oak, Yew, Mulberry and a fine and aged specimen of Phillyrea, and the pathway guides visitors to superb views across the top of South Park, where one of Croome’s oldest oak trees is located, thought to be around 600 years old.

Hugh Warwick, Croome’s warden, said: "We started work about a year ago and with over 84 trees to be felled as well as reinstating the paths and building benches, it was a huge task.

"We’re really pleased to finally open this area up and share it with our visitors and the stunning views across the haha to South Park.

"It’s a very significant piece in the Croome jigsaw and it’s great to be able to offer another route around the grounds."

In the future the aim is to replant this area to restore its huge botanical diversity and interest.

For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/croome/ or call 01905 371006.