Capability Brown
Capability Brown, real name Lancelot Brown (c.1715-16 – 1783), was an English landscape architect who designed more than 170 parks and came to be celebrated as ‘England’s greatest gardener’.
The nickname ‘Capability’ stemmed from the tendency Brown had to inform clients that their property had ‘capability for improvement’.
Brown’s style is characterised by the smooth grass of the garden leading straight up to the house, trees scattered in groups, and serpentine lakes formed by small rivers. His style was so dominant that it almost completely supplanted the previous fashion for formally patterned styles of landscape gardening.
Brown’s work can still be found at Croome Court, Blenheim Palace, Warwick Castle, Harewood House, Milton Abbey, in parts at Kew Gardens, and others.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Essential tools in managing historically significant landscapes.
Classroom electrician courses a 'waste of money'
Say experts from the Electrical Contractors’ Association.
Wellbeing in Buildings TG 10/2025
BSRIA topic guide updates.
With brief background and WELL v2™.
From studies, to books to a new project, with founder Emma Walshaw.
Types of drawings for building design
Still one of the most popular articles the A-Z of drawings.
Who, or What Does the Building Safety Act Apply To?
From compliance to competence in brief.
The remarkable story of a Highland architect.
Commissioning Responsibilities Framework BG 88/2025
BSRIA guidance on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for commissioning tasks.
An architectural movement to love or hate.
Don’t take British stone for granted
It won’t survive on supplying the heritage sector alone.
The Constructing Excellence Value Toolkit
Driving value-based decision making in construction.
Meet CIOB event in Northern Ireland
Inspiring the next generation of construction talent.
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.