AN ambitious plan to transform an 18th century walled garden in Worcestershire into a tourism destination will be revealed for the first time

The owners of the Walled Gardens at Croome Court will showcase the next phase of its development – which will include a visitor centre - when it opens its doors to the public over the Easter weekend.

Husband and wife Chris and Karen Cronin bought the walled garden in 2000, when it was nothing more than an overgrown wilderness with dilapidated buildings, and have rebuilt glass houses and walls and restored a dipping pond.

They have invested an “enormous” amount of time and money renovating the seven-acre site and its associated buildings to create “one of the finest Georgian walled gardens in the UK”.

Mr Cronin said: “After nearly 16 years of major restoration work to the walls, glass houses and garden buildings, we are now finally ready to turn our attention to the garden itself.

“With the ever growing support from our visitors and volunteers, we are encouraged to embark upon an ambitious journey to bring the entire gardens back to full productivity once again.

“When landscape architect Capability Brown first arrived at Croome his remit was to ‘revolutionise’ the English landscape tradition. He did exactly that and we want to embrace his legacy by introducing a 21st century feel to the Walled Gardens.

“The plans show the new proposed layout of the paths and beds, and also reveals some of the new features – such as the new visitor centre - which we will be introducing along the way.”

Work on the project – which the Cronins believe will cost around £800,000 – has already begun and should be completed sometime next year.

“We’re very excited to be revealing our full plans to the public this Easter”, added Mr Cronin.

“Whilst the work will be going on throughout the summer it will not impact upon the beauty and magic of the garden for our visitors.”

The Cronins opened the garden up to the public for the first time in more than a century in August last year, when more than 1,400 visitors flocked to see it over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Now the couple are excited about the Walled Garden opening across 10 weekends throughout 2015.

In addition to seeing the new plans this Easter, visitors will also be able to find out more about composting from a composting expert or try their hand at sketching the garden and Croome Court estate from the art tent.

A children’s Easter egg hunt with chocolate prizes will also be held and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

The gardens will be open from 10.30am to 5pm on Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6.

Entry costs £5 for adults, £2.50 for children or £15 for a family ticket

For more information visit croomewalledgardens.com