YOU may have wandered the grounds, admired the views and made family memories in the many grounds of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, but have you ever thought about the man behind the scenic views?

Capability Brown changed the face of 18th century England, creating a magical world of green and stunning scenes.

His innovative vision and passion for grounds changed the landscape of country estates and mansions.

Known as ‘England’s greatest gardener’, Brown’s work in Dorset included the beautiful grounds of Milton Abbey, Sherborne Castle and Highcliffe Castle.

This year marks the 300th anniversary of the designer who created a style which has shaped people’s picture of the quintessential English countryside.

As the first ever celebration of Brown’s extensive works, the Capability Brown Festival 2016 brings together a huge range of events and exhibitions running between March and October.

Brown’s style derived from two principles, of comfort and elegance.

He had a determination that everything should work, believing a landscape should be practical and provide for the needs of the great house, while still being attractive and elegant.

Festival organiser Michael McAvoy is passionate about Brown, and is working hard to preserve his legacy in the country.

Michael said: “Brown had a compelling set of skills.

“He was an engineer, landscape architect, entrepreneur and an extremely effective salesman – known for telling landowners their estates had ‘great capabilities’, hence the nickname.

“Although not of particularly high birth, he was extremely well-connected.

“His client list included King George III, six prime ministers, and half the House of Lords, giving him unrivalled access to the country’s largest estates.

Michael said: “He was so prolific, being associated with around 250 sites in England and Wales, but he is now largely unknown.

“Brown’s work was landscaping on an immense scale – he was known to ask workmen to move hills, and occasionally even entire villages, to make way for his designs.

“But his landscapes look so natural that people often think they are just that, when in fact they are as planned and designed as the houses that usually accompany them.”

Michael said the legacy of Brown continues today through families wandering the grounds and admiring his work.

“Many of the sites where he worked are now open to the public, and are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.”

Brown began his work as a gardener at Kirkharle, in Northumberland leaving the hamlet in 1739.

In 1741 he reached Stowe, Buckinghamshire where he rapidly assumed responsibility for the execution of both architectural and landscaping works in the famous garden.

It was at Stowe in 1744 that Brown married Bridget Wayet, with whom he would go on to have nine children.

While at Stowe, Brown began working as an independent designer and contractor and in 1751, he was able to move with his family to the Mall, Hammersmith, the market garden area of London.

His vast range of 250 projects included Blenheim, Chatsworth, Harewood, Longleat, Petworth, Syon and Broadlands.

In 1764 he was appointed to the gardens of Hampton Court, Richmond and St James.

He continued to work and travel until his sudden collapse and death in 1783.

The breathtaking 500 acre landscape of Milton Abbey in Dorset is considered some of Brown’s finest works.

Three valleys converge, and inside one of the valleys is the village of Milton Abbas, contained either side by a silhouette of trees on top of the hillsides.

The picturesque ‘lost village’ in a wooded valley was the first ‘new town’ in England.

Milton Abbey is at the focal point of the converging valleys, encircled by 16 miles of walks, rides, and carriage drives designed to draw the visitor through the space.

Considering how spectacular the scenery is at Milton Abbey, it was no surprise for the area to be picked to be one of the Capability Brown Festival’s ‘regional hubs’.

The location will be home to an exhibition – A Capability Brown Experience, in July and August, showing a new film featuring John Phibbs, the leading expert on Brown and stunning artwork by Royal Academician Stephen Farthing and artist and author Tim Scott-Bolton.

Work from 11 artists from Dorset Visual Arts will also be featured in the exhibition, alongside embroidery from the National Guild and digital imagery from leading photographers.

Michael said: “The first seeds of the festival were planted in 2012 by a group of individuals and organisations who were determined to see that Brown’s place in history was restored and publicised.

“Four years on, it is largest event of its kind to date.

“It is managed by the Landscape Institute and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and unites 21 partners including the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Houses Association, Gardens Trust and others. The festival has two key aims. The first is to open up as many Brown landscapes to as many people as possible.

“We really want to encourage new visitors, people who may never ordinarily think of visiting a Brown site, to go along, learn about, and enjoy the landscapes on offer.

“Our second aim is to discover more about Brown’s work, and how he created his amazing landscapes.

“We plan to build up a body of new research on Brown and his sites, leaving a legacy that will reach beyond 2016.”

There are more than 200 events up and down the country, including exciting exhibitions, horse and carriage rides, family trails and 18th century afternoon tea parties – all celebrating Capability Brown.

Michael said: “They all give a fantastic excuse, if one were ever needed, to get outside and enjoy Brown’s stunning landscapes.”

n For more information about Capability Brown, the exhibition at Milton Abbey and the festival, visit capabilitybrownatmiltonabbey.org