Witley Court and Gardens is a Grade I listed ruined Italianate country house set in over 40 acres of landscaped grounds near Great Witley in Worcestershire. This 2026 guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your visit.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the 2026/27 admission prices, which came into effect on 28 March 2026. Note that the Perseus and Andromeda fountain — the centrepiece of the gardens — fires daily from April to the end of October only; it does not operate during winter visits.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Worcester Road, Great Witley, Worcestershire WR6 6JT |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm (summer); reduced days in winter (see below) |
| Adult ticket | £9.26–£12.32 depending on date and day |
| Nearest train | Worcester Foregate Street (~10 miles); Kidderminster (~10 miles) |
| Parking | Free on-site car park (100+ spaces); ~500 metres from the house |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
Witley Court opening hours
Witley Court is open daily during summer but as with many English Heritage sites it reduces to weekends only for most of winter, with broader opening during half-term and over the Christmas period. The full schedule for the 2026/27 season (valid 28 March 2026 to 16 March 2027) is:
- 28 March – 24 October: daily, 10am–5pm
- 25 October – 1 November: daily, 10am–4pm
- 2 November – 23 December: Saturday and Sunday only, 10am–4pm
- 24–26 December: closed
- 27 December – 1 January: daily, 10am–4pm
- 2 January – 12 February: Saturday and Sunday only, 10am–4pm
- 13–21 February: daily, 10am–4pm (February half-term)
- 22 February – 16 March: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours were checked on the official English Heritage website and last updated in March 2026.
Witley Court ticket prices
Admission prices vary by date and day of the week. The three pricing tiers for the 2026/27 season are shown below. English Heritage members enter free of charge. Concession prices apply to visitors aged 65 and over, students with a valid student ID card, and jobseekers showing relevant ID. A free audio guide is included in the admission price for all paying visitors.
Super Saver — Mon–Fri, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; daily, 2 Nov–16 Mar
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9.26 |
| Concession | £8.50 |
| Child | £4.59 |
Saver — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; Mon–Fri, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £10.79 |
| Concession | £10.03 |
| Child | £5.35 |
Standard — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12.32 |
| Concession | £11.56 |
| Child | £6.12 |
Groups of 15 or more paying visitors receive a 10% discount, plus free entry for one tour leader and one coach driver. Paid guided tours (60 minutes, 11–30 visitors) are available subject to availability; contact the site in advance to arrange.
Ticket prices were checked on the official English Heritage website and last updated in March 2026.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to get to Witley Court
Witley Court is on the A443, approximately 10 miles north of Worcester and 10 miles west of Kidderminster, near the village of Great Witley. Public transport access is very limited.
By train and bus: The nearest stations are Worcester Foregate Street and Kidderminster, both approximately 10 miles away. Three bus services pass close to the site: Yarranton service 758 (Worcester–Tenbury Wells, which passes near Worcester Foregate Street station); Worcestershire Fleet service 359 (Fridays only); and R&B service 760 (Thursdays only). All three run infrequently and journey planning should be done via traveline.info well in advance. The site is not practically accessible by public transport on most days of the week.
By car: The site address for sat nav is Worcester Road, Great Witley, WR6 6JT. Do not follow signs for Witley Court village or use satellite navigation routes that direct you off the A443 onto narrow back lanes — these lead to the rear of the site and not to the main entrance and car park. The main entrance is directly off the A443 and is signposted from both the Worcester and Tenbury Wells directions. Witley Court is well outside the London ULEZ; no emissions charges apply.
By cycle: Bike racks are available on site. Cycling routes can be planned via sustrans.org.uk.
Parking at Witley Court
Free on-site parking is available for all visitors, including non-members. The car park has over 100 spaces including an overflow area, and is located adjacent to the visitor centre, approximately 500 metres from the house. The path between the car park and the house has a hard surface but is uphill in places; wheelchair users will likely need assistance. Six Blue Badge bays are located approximately 10 metres from the site reception. A disabled drop-off point is available in front of the court for visitors with mobility needs — call the site on 01299 896636 or stop at the visitor centre to arrange this on arrival. There are four coach bays in the car park; no off-site parking is available anywhere in the area.
Accessibility at Witley Court
There is no wheelchair access to the interior of the house. The ruin involves a significant number of steps on each side; these cannot be bypassed to enter the building. However, the exterior of the house, the parterre gardens, and much of the wider grounds are accessible. The main paths are bonded gravel; some rough terrain paths exist but can be avoided by using alternative hard-standing routes through the gardens. There is no lift anywhere on the site. One wheelchair is available for hire at the visitor centre.
The toilets — including accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities — are located next to the visitor centre, not at the house. There are no facilities of any kind at the house itself. Seating is available at various points around the site. An induction loop is available at the visitor centre counter and a portable loop accompanies the audio tour. A detailed disabled access guide is available on site and from the English Heritage website. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.
Inside Witley Court and Gardens: what to see
Witley Court was originally built in the 17th century and dramatically expanded in the 1850s by the 1st Earl of Dudley, who remodelled it in a grand Italianate style using Bath stone — the same architectural language used at Osborne House for Queen Victoria. At its height, the house employed over 100 servants and was the venue for lavish house parties attended by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). A fire in 1937 gutted the building and left it roofless; the ruin was acquired by English Heritage in 1972 and has been consolidated rather than restored, preserving its atmospheric character.
The ruined house exterior is the central feature of the site. Visitors can walk through the shell of the ground floor, passing charred timbers, surviving plasterwork, and the remnants of grand reception rooms. Displays and a free audio guide — also available via the Bloomberg Connects app — provide context throughout. An interactive art installation by Keith Harrison, currently on display, tells the story of Witley from the perspective of Staffordshire miners and steelworkers employed by the Earls of Dudley.
The Perseus and Andromeda Fountain, a Grade I listed structure sculpted by James Forsyth around 1860, is the gardens’ centrepiece. Its 120 jets fire on a set schedule from April to the end of October only: on weekdays at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm; at weekends on the hour from 11am to 4pm. The Flora Fountain, a smaller companion piece by the same sculptor, is located in the south gardens. The restored East Parterre features topiary and seasonal planting; the wider grounds include a lake with a Victorian boathouse, a rhododendron collection, and woodland trails through the North Park. A wilderness play area for children is near the visitor centre and is open year-round.
Great Witley Church (St Michael and All Angels), attached to the court, has a notable Italianate Baroque interior and is free to visit; it is not managed by English Heritage. An independent tearoom adjacent to the church is open daily from Easter to the end of October. The English Heritage visitor centre sells hot and cold drinks and light refreshments year-round, and an ice cream van operates on the site in warmer months. Picnics are welcome anywhere in the grounds, and a picnic area with benches is provided near the visitor centre.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sat nav warning | Use the A443 entrance only. Sat nav and local road signs may route you to narrow back lanes at the rear of the site, not the main entrance and car park. Follow signs from the A443 directly. |
| Fountain firing times | The Perseus and Andromeda Fountain fires on a set schedule from April to end of October (weekdays: 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm; weekends: hourly 11am–4pm). Plan your visit to arrive before one of these times. |
| No facilities at the house | Toilets, refreshments, and seating are at the visitor centre, ~500 metres from the house. Visit the facilities before walking up to the court. |
| Car park to house is 500 metres | Allow time for the walk between the car park and the house. The path is hard-surfaced but uphill in places. Wheelchair users will likely need assistance. |
| Visit on a weekday | Weekday visits outside peak summer months attract the lower Super Saver price. |
| Book guided tours in advance | Paid guided tours (60 minutes) are available subject to availability. Contact the site before travelling if a guided tour is important to your group. |
| Dogs welcome on leads | Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds throughout the year. |
| Bus services are very limited | Only three bus routes serve the area, two of which run on a single day of the week. The site is not practically accessible by public transport on most days. Car or taxi is recommended. |
Frequently asked questions about Witley Court
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Witley Court suitable for children? | Yes. The wilderness play area near the visitor centre, the Folktale Creature Trail (included in admission), wildlife spotter sheets, and the open grounds all appeal to children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Witley Court? | Advance booking is recommended but not required. Tickets can be purchased online via the English Heritage website. |
| Is Witley Court open on Sundays? | Yes, throughout the year except 24–26 December. |
| Are dogs allowed at Witley Court? | Yes. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds. They are not permitted inside the visitor centre or in the play area. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout. |
| Is Witley Court free for English Heritage members? | Yes. Members enter free of charge, park free, and can bring up to six children free of charge. |
| Is the fountain on all year? | No. The Perseus and Andromeda Fountain fires daily from April to the end of October only. It does not operate during winter visits. |
| Is Witley Court accessible for wheelchair users? | Partially. There is no access to the house interior (steps, no ramp alternative). The grounds and gardens are mostly accessible via hard-standing paths. One wheelchair is available to hire at the visitor centre. A disabled access guide is available on site. |
| Is there a café at Witley Court? | The visitor centre serves hot and cold drinks and light snacks year-round. An independent tearoom next to Great Witley Church is open daily from Easter to the end of October. |
| How do I get to Witley Court without a car? | Public transport is very limited. Three bus services run near the site but two operate on one day a week only. Check traveline.info before travelling. A taxi from Worcester or Kidderminster is the most practical option without a car. |
| How long does a visit to Witley Court take? | Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours, including the house exterior, gardens, and a fountain display. Allow longer for woodland walks or if visiting with children using the play area. |
Things to do near Witley Court
Witley Court is in a rural part of north Worcestershire, and most major nearby attractions require a car to reach.
Croome (National Trust), approximately 12 miles south-east, is an 18th-century landscape park by Capability Brown with a house, café, and adventure play area. Hanbury Hall (National Trust), approximately 14 miles east, is a late 17th-century house with formal gardens and an orangery. Worcester Cathedral, approximately 10 miles south, is free to visit and contains the tomb of King John. Severn Valley Railway (heritage steam railway), based at Kidderminster and Bewdley, runs 16 miles through the Severn Valley. West Midland Safari Park, near Bewdley (approximately 10 miles east), is a large wildlife attraction with a four-mile drive-through safari route. Goodrich Castle (English Heritage), approximately 18 miles south-west in Herefordshire, is a well-preserved medieval fortress with an adjacent moat.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical tips for visiting Kenilworth Castle.
- A practical guide to visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Visitor tips for Stokesay Castle in Shropshire.
- What you need to know before visiting Buildwas Abbey in Shropshire.
- Lichfield Cathedral: Ticket prices, opening hours & visitor guide.
