Witley Court
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Overview
One of the great English country houses and a venue for lavish house parties, especially in the Victorian era, Witley Court was destroyed by fire in 1937. Now a spectacular ruin, a sense of the many different eras of the building’s history is evident. Originally a medieval manor house, then a Jacobean mansion, the house was linked with the Foley family, who made their fortune in the iron industry. Between 1772 and 1794 an ornamental woodland known as the wilderness was planted to the northeast, with walks laid out along the banks of the lake and brook. In the early 19th century Thomas Foley VII commissioned John Nash, the leading Regency architect, to design a succession of ambitious alterations including two massive porticos to the north and south fronts. Today there is plenty to enjoy including gardens, elaborate fountains and an adventure play area.
Features
- Opening Times
- Open all year
- Opening Times: Open Apr-Sep, check website for details; Oct, daily 10-5; Nov-23 Dec, Jan-18 Feb, Sat-Sun 10-4; 27-31 Dec and 19-25 Feb, daily 10-4; 26 Feb-29 Mar, Wed-Sun 10-4 (last admission 1 hour before site closing). Closed 24-26 Dec
- Facilities
- Parking onsite
- Cafe
About the area
Worcestershire is a county of rolling hills, save for the flat Vale of Evesham in the east and the prominent spine of the Malverns in the west. Nearly all of the land is worked in some way; arable farming predominates – oilseed rape, cereals and potatoes – but there are concentrated areas of specific land uses, such as market gardening and plum growing.
Places to eat nearby View all
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Nearby places to stay
The Elms
On the face of it, a quite traditional manor house set in landscaped grounds and surrounded by open countryside. However, guests will discover boutique and unexpected design and appoint...
The Manor Arms
This charming inn enjoys a prominent position in the heart of the pretty village of Abberley and offers guests a range of high quality, stylish bedrooms; many have views of the rolling ...
The Crown Inn Martley
The Crown, sitting in a charming Worcestershire village had a major refurb in 2024 but despite its contemporary style it hasn't lost its crucial "village pub" vibe. There is a cafe to t...
Manor Holding Cottage
Manor Holding Cottage is a Grade II Listed Jacobean half-timbered farmhouse with a stone kitchen wing. The cottage is located in the middle of the ancient Wyre Forest on the Abberley an...
Manor Holding Cottage
Manor Holding was built of reclaimed oak in the late 17th century for the steward of the adjacent manor. The cottage is warm in winter and cool in summer, and has its own sheltered gard...
Manor Holding Byre
This beautifully updated half-timbered Jacobean cottage farmhouse with private garden and a glorious barn conversion offers a rural idyll in the historic Forest of Wyre on the border of...
Manor Holding Byre
This beautifully updated half-timbered Jacobean cottage farmhouse with private garden and a glorious barn conversion offers a rural idyll in the historic Forest of Wyre on the border of...
Restaurant Sow
Set on the tranquil Netherwood estate, Restaurant Sow offers a memorable dining experience with its ethos of sustainability and seasonality right to the front. Supplied by its own organ...
