“In the early 1970s, Ted Deerhurst, the only son of the 11th Earl of Coventry of Croome, seemed to have everything in his grasp: the prospect of an earldom and living a country life in Worcestershire.

Ted rejected this traditional aristocratic life, however, and decided to pursue his dream of surfing. It was his greatest passion and he spent years on the amateur circuit before becoming the UK’s first professional surfer.

Ted graced the biggest waves around the world, making a name for himself not just in competitions but also in surfboard design and through his charitable work. Ted eventually settled in Hawaii, but met a tragic end at only 40 years old in 1997.

In partnership with the Croome Heritage Trust and Ted’s friends and family, this new exhibition will explore his epic life, the struggles that he encountered and his incredible achievements through personal objects, surfing memorabilia from around the world and stories from those who knew and loved him.”