Coombe Abbey



         


Coombe Abbey is a historic mansion house and country park in Warwickshire, England. It is located in the countryside between Coventry and Rugby, roughly midway between the two.

Coombe Abbey was founded as an monastery in the 12th century. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century it became royal property. The daughter of king James I; Elizabeth of Bohemia was educated here, in the early 17th century.

In 1682, the West Wing was added by architect Captain William Winde. He also designed Buckingham House which later became Buckingham Palace, and the resemblance is notable.

In 1771, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown re-designed the gardens.

Coombe Abbey was bought by Coventry City Council in 1964 and opened to the public, and the grounds of the abbey are now a popular nature reserve and country park. The Abbey itself is now a hotel.

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