Church of St Mary Magdalene, Croome D'Abitot, Worcestershire

A masterpiece of architectural fantasy

The original church at Croome was demolished by the 6th Earl of Coventry when he decided to replace his adjacent Jacobean house in the 1750s. His new house and park were designed and laid out by Capability Brown as was the church, set on a low hill nearby in Croome Park as an 'eye catcher'. The views out to the Malvern Hills on a clear day are spectacular.

The interiors of both house and church are attributed to Robert Adam and were completed in 1763. Built by some of the finest craftsmen in England, every detail has been considered, from pretty plaster mouldings to handsome carved pews - the church is a perfect fantasy of the period, with elegant Gothick windows and plasterwork, pulpit, communion rails, commandments and creed boards.

Opulent monuments brought from the old church, long since demolished, show the former Barons and Earls of Coventry in their full glory. The earliest - in black and white marble - shows the 1st Lord, who died in 1639, reclining under a canopy. The monument to the 1st Earl, who died in 1699, is missing because the 2nd Earl disapproved of his father's second marriage, at an advanced age, to a servant, Elizabeth Graham. His monument is now in the nearby church of St Mary's at Elmley Castle instead.

St Mary Magdalene sits inside the entrance of the National Trust estate and is open whenever Croome Park is open - see the National Trust's Croome Park website for detailed opening times. If you are a National Trust member then please show your card at the reception. If you are not, then you can access the church via the footpath from the road.

This church is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, and not the National Trust.  Please make a contribution towards the upkeep of this church via our at our red donate button. A donation can also by made by texting "CDA" to 70970 to donate £5 or 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.

For further information about this church please contact the Local Community Officer by email tgenever@thecct.org.uk. 

Through the National Trust property on a tarmac path towards Croome House, then over the grass to a level, paved, wide entrance. 

Mobility scooters can be booked from the National Trust in advance of your visit. For accessibility information for Croome Park including toilets. click here.

For those approaching via the footpath from the road, the path is a grassy.

We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to join our volunteering team at this church. Could you help with telling visitors about the church history, supporting events or caring for the building perhaps?

To find out more please contact our Local Community Officer:

Tracy Genever tgenever@thecct.org.uk

This church has electricity and fixed pew seating.

It has a peal of 6 bells, which were restored in 2024. Arrangement can be made to have these rung on your special occasion.

Toilets and parking are available through arrangement with the National Trust at Croome Park.

Hirers will need to liaise with both CCT and the National Trust to arrange booking and access to facilities.

For those enquiring about holding a wedding or a marriage blessing at this beautiful church, you will need to contact the Rector through the Severnside Benefice here

Please contact west@thecct.org.uk for more information

4m west of Pershore off A38 & A44; follow the National Trust signs to Croome Park. The church is on the top of the hill overlooking the house and park and across to the Malvern Hills.

Park at National Trust car park. Access to church via visitor centre.

Alternatively, you can walk to the church from the road via the public footpath.

Nearest railway station: Worcestershire Parkway (4.1 miles), Pershore (5.6 miles), Worcestershire Parkway (5.7 miles).

Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.

Worcestershire and Herefordshire County Guide

This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

Croome Walk Around Guide

This short, full colour walk round guide contains a floor plan of the church and highlights of things to see during your visit. 

Click here to download a copy of the CP which sets out the shared vision for the future of the church. This is a working document that will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you!

Latest church plan:

Croome Church Plan November 25

Croome Park

The Church of St Mary Magdelene is situated inside Croome Park, more than 650 acres of landscaped parkland designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown, with an Neo-Palladian mansion at its heart which features internal rooms designed by Robert Adam. The Park is now in the hands of the National Trust.

• Visit the National Trust's Croome Park website page

Useful local links:

• Visit Worcestershire
• Things to do in Worcestershire
• Family Days out in Worcestershire
• Worcestershire Archaeological Society
• Worcestershire Industrial Archaeology & Local History Society
• The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry
• A list of churches in Worcestershire
• Worcestershire is in the Diocese of Worcester