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Batty About Witley
Batty About Witley
Six different species of bat roost at Witley Court.
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Witley Court Terrain Guide
Witley Court Terrain Guide (486 Kb)
Disabled access to exterior and grounds only. A map with gradients, steps and resting areas is available here.
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Witley Court

Fountain at Witley
(c)
Fountain at Witley - (c) Perseus and Andromeda fountain - (c) Detail Showing Window - Detail Showing Window (c) The fountain at Witley Court - The fountain at Witley Court (c) Witley Court North Front - (c) Pavilion at Witley Court - (c) The Perseus and Andromeda fountain at Witley Court, Worcestershire. The fountain is now working again for the first time in 70 years, after a £700,000 restoration. The fountain has 120 jets, the main one reaching up to 90 feet. Picture: Andrew Fox - Spec picThe Perseus and Andromeda fountain at Witley Court, Worcestershire. The fountain is now working again for the first time in 70 years, after a £700,000 restoration. The fountain has 120 jets, the main one reaching up to 90 feet. (c) Great Witley Church - Great Witley Church (c)

A hundred years ago, Witley Court was one of England's great country houses, hosting many extravagant parties. Today it is a spectacular ruin, the result of a disastrous fire in 1937. Restoration work to the West Wing has made several new roomsaccessible to the public.

The vast and rambling remains of the palatial 19th-century mansion are surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens, which still contain huge stone fountains. The largest, representing Perseus and Andromeda - now restored - was described as making the 'noise of an express train' when fired.

Before 1846, when William Humble Ward (later first Earl of Dudley) inherited Witley Court, the land surrounding the house was laid out in the 18th-century English landscape style. As part of Ward's transformation of the estate, he called in the leading landscape designer of the time, William Andrews Nesfield, whose skills in designing intricate and elegant parterres were complemented by his great ability as an artist and engineer.

Nesfield started work in 1854, creating the South Parterre with its great Perseus and Andromeda fountain. His scheme involved elegantly designed plantings and parterres of clipped evergreens and shrubs. The central avenue of planting from the house led to the fountains, terminating at the South Parterre. The East Parterre garden, with its Flora Fountain, was designed in the Parterre de Broderie style - that is resembling embroidery, with box-edged shapes filled with coloured gravel and flowers.

Following the disastrous fire in 1937 the Witley Estate, including its gardens, fell into long decline. English Heritage has restored the south garden. In addition,Wolfson Foundation funding has assisted with major restoration works in the East Parterre garden, also enabling us to plan development of the formal gardens based on the original Nesfield designs. The showpiece Woodland Walks in the North Park pass many different species of tree and shrub from all over the world.

Attached to Witley Court is Great Witley Church, with its amazing Italianate Baroque interior (not managed by English Heritage). The church has a tearoom, and Witley Court has a superb gift shop. The restored Perseus and Andromeda fountain, with even the original high cascades operating, will be firing between April and October. (Weekdays: 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Weekends: on the hour everyhour from 11am to 4pm.)

Opening Times:

April 2009 to March 2010Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Sep-1 Nov 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
2 Nov-28 Feb 10am-4pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1-31 Mar 10am-5pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

How much does it cost?

Adult:
£5.80 until 31 Mar 2010 / £6.00 from 1 Apr 2010
Children:
£2.90 until 31 Mar 2010 / £3.00 from 1 Apr 2010
Concession:
£4.90 until 31 Mar 2010 / £5.10 from 1 Apr 2010
English Heritage Members:
Other:
Family Ticket: £14.50 until 31 Mar 2010 / £15.00 from 1 Apr 2010

How do I get there?

Address:
Worcestershire - WR6 6JT.
Road Access:
10 miles NW of Worcester on A443
Train Access:
Worcester Foregate St 9 1⁄2 miles
Bus Access:
Yarranton 758 Worcester - Tenbury Wells (passes close to WorcesterForegate St railway station)
Map Location:
Telephone:
01299 896636, Local Tourist Information: Worcester: 01905 726311

What facilities are available?

Facilities Available:
Parking Suitable for people with disabilities Guidebooks Dogs allowed on leads Audio tours (included in admission price) Shop Picnic area Events Holiday Cottages Hazardous Family Learning Admission free for Overseas Vistor Pass holders Tea Room Male Toilets Female Toilets
Facilities Details:
Toilets: Adapted WC at main ticket office.
Shop: Level access
Refreshments: Tearooms with level access and seats outside, open daily, Apr-Sep and Sat and Sun, Oct (not managed by English Heritage). Picnics welcome in grounds.
Access:
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. One bench provided in court, four in North Park estate around lake.
Parking:
500m from house. Hard path but assistance for wheelchair users advised
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Bird song in grounds.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.

What facilities are available for groups?

Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
Free parking for up to 6 coaches.
Group Booking:
Contact the site for a Group Booking Form and for opening times and prices from 1 April 2010.
Average Length of Visit:
2 hours
Guided Tours:

Tour of Witley Court and Gardens
The tour includes the North Park Estate House and Gardens. The guide will stop off at various points highlighting interesting features and anecdotes relevant to that point. The tour will hopefully coincide with a fountain display.

Duration: Approx 1.5 hours.

Minimum - maximum pax: 11-30 pax

Advance booking required: Yes. At least one month in advance.

Call for prices and to book: 01299 896636

Further Info

Step Around Witley Court and Gardens: Activities Pack Fun activities pack to support access to children and young people with learning difficulties Please ask to borrow the pack on arrival at the Visitors Centre.
Disabled access ( exterior and grounds only) Tearooms open daily. Apr-Sep and Sat and sun, Oct (not managed by EH)
New terrain guide is available: Click here to download the terrain guide.
New guidebook and audio tour available.
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