Witley Court and Gardens, Worcestershire

Witley Court in Worcestershire, was once one of the great houses of the Midlands, but today it is a spectacular ruin after being devastated by fire in 1937.

It was built by Thomas Foley in 1655 on the site of a former manor house. Subsequent additions were designed by John Nash in the early 19th century and the Court was subsequently bought by the Dudley family in 1837. The site was acquired in 1953 by its current owners, the Wigington Family of Stratford-upon-Avon, for £20,000.

In 1920 Witley Court was sold by the 2nd Earl to Sir Herbert Smith, a Kidderminster carpet manufacturer. Sir Herbert only kept on a skeleton staff to manage the house whilst there and away, and many areas were left unused. The fire in 1937 started in the bakery, situated in the basement room of the now worst preserved tower whilst Sir Herbert was at another of his houses. The servants tried to put the fire out by the use of the ancient fire pump, which was connected to the fountain, as this had not been maintained for many years it failed to work.

In more recent times, the original plans and designs for the formal gardens have been discovered, and are in the process of being restored. The main area of the gardens, the South Parterre, between the house and the Perseus and Andromeda fountain, has already been completed. Meanwhile, work is ongoing on the East Parterre region.

Six different species of bat roost at Witley Court including the Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), Brown Long-Eared (Plecotus auritus), Daubenton’s (Myotis daubentonii), Natterer’s (Myotis natterreri), Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) and the very rare Lesser Horseshoe (Rhinolophus hipposideros).

Opening Times

Opening time vary throughout the year. Please check on the website.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £6.30
Children: £3.80
Family Ticket: £16.40
Concessions: £5.70
EH Member Cost: Free

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Disabled Facilities

Access to house: Via hard path. Steps up to house but there are many good viewpoints all around the exterior.
Grounds: Extensive grounds all accessible on hard paths and fairly smooth grass. Some steps.
Shop: Level access.
One bench provided in court, four in North Park estate around lake.

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More Information

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