ESSENTIAL repairs and innovative rainwater protection have been carried out on a significant building in the grounds of National Trust’s Croome.
Built in the 1760s by renowned architect Robert Adam, the Grade I listed Temple Greenhouse is a key element of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s landscape design and has a rich history of housing exotic plants from around the world.
The stone work and brick work across the building has been repaired and work has also been carried out to future proof it against further rainwater damage.
The absence of gutters on the building, a design choice by Adam, has proven impractical for rainwater management. Rainwater dripping directly from the roof onto the stone ledges has led to significant damp and damage.
Scaffolding was erected for the installation of a rainwater chute to extend the roof valleys, pushing rainwater to fall onto the ground rather than the building. A gutter has also been installed along the rear of the building to harvest rainwater for watering plants in the drier months.
A conservation specialist also assessed the delicate stone carvings for future work while the scaffolding was in place.
The Temple Greenhouse was Adam’s first building at Croome and played a crucial role in showcasing the 6th Earl of Coventry’s extensive plant collection. During the mid to late 1700s, plant collectors brought exotic plants and seeds to Britain, and the Earl’s collection included oranges, lemons, limes, Birds of Paradise, and Agave plants.
The restoration project at the greenhouse has been made possible through the generous donations of supporters, including The Howard Victor Skan Charitable Trust who part funded the project.
Katherine Alker, South Worcestershire’s garden and outdoors manager, said: “It’s wonderful to see the repairs and redecoration being carried out at the Temple Greenhouse. We’re especially pleased that a water butt is being installed so that the garden team can use rainwater to water the plants. I’m looking forward to showing the work to the people who donated a significant amount towards this project.”
