Name: Witley Court and Gardens
Address: Worcester Road, Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JT
Telephone: 01299 896636

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Witley Court and Gardens

Spooky Witley Court

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Address

Worcester Road, Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JT

Plan Your Visit

Enchanted Witley Court

The popular Enchanted event is returning to Witley Court this winter on selected dates between 5 - 22 December.

Make the most of winter evenings this December with an enchanting experience of light, colour and sound as Witley Court is transformed into an illuminated world.

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Things to See and Do

In ruins

Discover a unique art exhibition throughout Witley Court & Gardens, shedding a new light on ruined spaces.

Meadow Arts presents In Ruins, an exciting installation set in the heart of Witley's tranquil grounds. A series of contemporary artworks take you on a journey around the stately mansion, now a spectacular ruin, inviting visitors to explore the fascination with what has passed.

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What's On

Spooky Witley Court with Creepy Critters

Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov 2019 11am - 4pm
Calligraphy Workshop

Sat 9 Nov 10am–4pm
Enchanted Witley Court

Thu 5 - Sun 8 Dec 2019 (more dates available) 4:30pm, 5:30pm & 6:30pm
Enchanted Witley Court

Thu 12 - Sun 15 Dec 2019 (more dates available) 4:30pm, 5:30pm & 6:30pm
Enchanted Witley Court

Thu 19 - Sun 22 Dec 2019 (more dates available) 4:30pm, 5:30pm & 6:30pm
Hawk Walk

Tue 3 Mar 10am–12.30pm & 1pm–3.30pm

Witley Court Timeline

1086Norman Roots

A manor at Witley is owned by Urso d'Abetot, a cousin of William the Conqueror.

1610-20Russell Modernisations

The medieval house is rebuilt on a grander scale by the Russell family.

Find out more about Witley Court's history

1655The Foley Family

Thomas Foley, whose family fortunes come from the iron industry, buys Witley.

1720-33Expansion

The 1st Baron Foley enlarges the house, to reflect his enhanced social status and his family’s transition from industrial wealth to landed aristocracy.

1793-1833Nash Renovations

Thomas Foley VII hires the architect John Nash to design ambitious alterations, including massive new stone porticos and a rebuilt east wing.

1837William, Lord Ward

The Witley estate is sold for £900,000 (about £48 million today) to the trustees of 16-year-old William, Lord Ward, heir to vast industrial riches.

1843-6Royal Residence

Witley is let to Queen Adelaide, widow of William IV. She is popular locally and pays for the building of the first village school.

1851-60Witley Transformed

Lord Ward moves in, and begins a major transformation of Witley Court to designs by architect Samuel Daukes and garden designer William Andrews Nesfield. Ward is made 1st Earl of Dudley in 1860.

1890sWitley's Heyday

Under the 2nd Earl of Dudley life at Witley reachs a height of opulence, with his friend the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) a regular visitor at lavish parties.

1920End of an Era

After his first wife’s death, the 2nd Earl, beset with mounting debts, sells the Witley estate to the carpet manufacturer Sir Herbert Smith.

7 September 1937Fire

Witley’s role as a rich man’s house ends abruptly when a devastating fire destroys much of the house. It is never lived in again.

1954Stripped for Parts

An antique dealer buys the house, stripping it of anything of value that remains.

1972–Restoration

The house is scheduled as an Ancient Monument, and restoration work begins, continued since 1984 by English Heritage.

Learn more about Witley Court

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Leigh Court Barn
7.3 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
Edvin Loach Old Church
7.62 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
Halesowen Abbey
17.1 miles from Witley Court and Gardens

J. W. Evans Silver Factory
22.88 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
Boscobel House and The Royal Oak
27.15 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
Over Bridge
28.33 miles from Witley Court and Gardens

Nearby Places
- Leigh Court Barn
  7.3 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
- Edvin Loach Old Church
  7.62 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
- Halesowen Abbey
  17.1 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
Similar Places
- J. W. Evans Silver Factory
  22.88 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
- Boscobel House and The Royal Oak
  27.15 miles from Witley Court and Gardens
- Over Bridge
  28.33 miles from Witley Court and Gardens

Gallery for Witley Court and Gardens

Spooky Witley Court

Enchanted Witley Court

Things to See and Do

A Romantic Ruin

Glorious Gardens

Wilderness Play Area

Behind the Scenes

Woodland Walks

Great Witley Church

Shop

Tempting Treats

In ruins

What's On

Spooky Witley Court with Creepy Critters

Calligraphy Workshop

Enchanted Witley Court

Enchanted Witley Court

Enchanted Witley Court

Hawk Walk

Guidebook: Witley Court

Witley Court Timeline

1086Norman Roots

1610-20Russell Modernisations

1655The Foley Family

1720-33Expansion

1793-1833Nash Renovations

1837William, Lord Ward

1843-6Royal Residence

1851-60Witley Transformed

1890sWitley's Heyday

1920End of an Era

7 September 1937Fire

1954Stripped for Parts

1972–Restoration

Leigh Court Barn

Edvin Loach Old Church

Halesowen Abbey

Leigh Court Barn

Edvin Loach Old Church

Halesowen Abbey

J. W. Evans Silver Factory

Boscobel House and The Royal Oak

Over Bridge

Gallery for Witley Court and Gardens

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