THE rolling hills and green landscapes of the English countryside have inspired many a poet over the years.

Now poetry is filling the air at the National Trust-owned Croome Court near Pershore.

Over the next few months poet laureates from Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Birmingham will be meandering through the grounds of Croome, meeting visitors and chatting about their visit before writing them a personalised poem to take home as a memento of the day.

Kiki Claxton, Croome’s creative programmes assistant, said: "This type of event is a first for Croome and we have had some fantastic feedback from our visitors on the first day.

“People really enjoyed talking to the poets and we’ve loved that this has been an individual type of experience for our visitors.”

Croome’s first ‘pop up’ poetry event, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, took place on May 23 with Fergus McGonigal, the poet laureate for Worcestershire, Brenda Read-Brown, Gloucestershire's poet laureate and Roy McFarlane, the former poet laureate for Birmingham, creating personalised poems as a unique souvenir.

Visitors could also join an hour long poetry walk where Roy McFarlane encouraged visitors to consider their experiences at Croome and its connection to their own stories or what memories the landscape evokes.

Visitors can enjoy the poetry events — which are free with entry — again on Saturday, June 13, July 25, August 22 and September 19 between 10am and 4pm around the park.

The poetry walk starts at 1pm from the visitor reception on each day.

Croome is open throughout the year. The park and lakeside are open from 10am until 5.30pm every day and Croome Court is open on weekdays from 11am to 4.30pm, apart from Tuesdays.

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