Capability Brown (Lancelot Brown, 1716-1783) was England’s master gardener of the 18th century. His nickname arose from his habit of saying to his wealthy aristocratic clients that a place had capabilities. He grew up at a time of radical change in England’s gardens. The rigid formality of earlier centuries gave way to an artfully informal naturalism. Capability Brown designed parks of some 140 houses. He possessed the ability to transform a landscape totally. The famous gardener built hills on flat ground, created lakes on dry land, uprooted and moved giant oak trees to achieve desired effects, and gave emphasis to the green contours of a park’s own natural landscape. During his lifetime he had no rivals,only a few imitators. In 1764 King George III appointed him  Surveyor to His Majesty’s Gardens and Waters at Hampton Court, a position he had so desired. Among Brown’s properties are Harewood Castle, Weston Park, Warwick Castle,, Blenheim Palace, Hampton Court and Leeds Castle. His Parks at Warwick Castle and Harewood House have remained unspoilt and are a superb example of his genius as a landscape designer. He formed the lake at Blenheim Palace by damming the River Glyme.

Capability Brown has displayed a lasting effect on the English countryside.