If you're taking the train to Witley Court, it's easiest to go via Worcester Foregate Street station. Geographically, the closest station is Droitwich Spa, but it is eight miles away and doesn't have onward public transport links to the property. From Worcester Foregate Street, walk to Worcester Crowngate to catch the 758 bus service to the stop called 'adj. Witley Court'. From here it's a nine-minute walk to Witley Court itself.
Witley Court in Worcestershire was once one of England's great stately homes. It was built by Thomas Foley in 1655, and in the early 1800s, it was developed by the Regency architect John Nash, who added huge ionic porticoes. The property was bought by the Earls of Dudley, and in the 19th century it played host to such luminaries as Queen Adelaide, widow of William IV; the composer Edward Elgar; and the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII. In the 1850s Witley Court reached its stylistic peak, with an Italianate makeover and a new garden featuring the mighty Perseus and Andromeda fountain.
On 7 September 1937, disaster struck: a fire reduced much of the house to a smoking shell. Never rebuilt, Witley Court stands now as a monumental ruin skirted by magnificent formal gardens. English Heritage has restored the south and east parterres and the Perseus and Andromeda fountain to their Victorian glory, and the adjoining wilderness has recently been remodelled as part of the Contemporary Heritage Garden scheme. Visitors can see the fountain burst forth on the hour, every hour, take an audio tour through the ruins, and explore the wilderness area and the neighbouring Great Witley Church.
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 to 17:00
Winter opening times vary.
Check the website for full details.
Departing to | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
to Great Malvern | West Midlands Trains | 05:41 | 1 | Scheduled |
to Great Malvern | Great Western Railway | 06:00 | 1 | Scheduled |
to London Paddington | Great Western Railway | 06:07 | 1 | Scheduled |
to Birmingham New Street | West Midlands Trains | 06:29 | 2 | Scheduled |
to Hereford | West Midlands Trains | 06:31 | 1 | Scheduled |
Arriving from | Train | Time | Platform | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
from Worcester Shrub Hill | West Midlands Trains | 05:37 | 1 | Scheduled |
from Gloucester | Great Western Railway | 05:58 | 1 | Scheduled |
from Great Malvern | Great Western Railway | 06:06 | 1 | Scheduled |
from Great Malvern | West Midlands Trains | 06:28 | 2 | Scheduled |
from Worcester Shrub Hill | West Midlands Trains | 06:31 | 1 | Scheduled |