Witley Court & Gardens
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Great Witley
What it’s like
Ruined mansion, huge fountains and a wilderness play area to climb through, all set in gardens you can wander for a couple of hours.
The big draw here is the shell of the mansion itself, burnt out decades ago and left as it is, with an audio tour that takes you round what's left of it. Kids who fancy something more active than looking at old walls get the wilderness play area for climbing and scrambling, plus woodland walks and a World Builder trail to follow through the grounds.
The Perseus and Andromeda fountain is the spot to save for last. It's grand enough to be worth the walk, and the lawns beside it are set up for picnics, so pack lunch rather than count on the tearoom being open. That tearoom only runs Easter to the end of October and isn't run by English Heritage, which is a fair enough reason to bring your own if you're going in winter.
You're looking at about two hours for a visit, which feels right for a wander round the ruins and a play in the wilderness area rather than a full day out. Gates are 10am to 5pm daily with last entry at 4pm, so don't turn up at half four expecting a leisurely look round.
Booking isn't required, you can just turn up, but they'll knock 15% off if you book online by midnight the day before. Under-fives go in free, and it's worth grabbing them a free infant ticket anyway rather than just walking them through. There's parking on site and free parking for coaches if you're coming as a group.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for under-fives up to school age, with older kids happy on the trail and fountain
- Last entry
- 4pm
- Booking
- Book online by midnight the day before to save 15%
- Parking
- Free parking for coaches. Visitor centre car park available
- How long to allow
- 2 hours
- Food
- Tearoom open daily Easter to end of October (not managed by English Heritage)
- Picnics
- Allowed on the lawns beside the fountain
- Worth knowing
- Under 5s free. Up to 6 children free with adult membership
- Book online the night before if you want the 15% discount, otherwise it's full price on the day
- The tearoom shuts over winter, Easter to end of October only
- Phone bookings aren't a thing here, it's online or turn up
- Last entry is an hour before closing at 4pm
Plan your visit
Do we need to book ahead?
No, you can turn up on the day. Booking online by midnight the day before saves you 15% though, so it's worth doing if you know your date.
How much does it cost?
Under-fives are free, and children 5 to 17 need a child ticket. Adult members can bring up to six children in free.
How long should we allow?
About two hours covers the mansion audio tour, a play in the wilderness area and a walk to the fountain.
What time do we need to arrive by?
Gates are open 10am to 5pm daily but last entry is 4pm.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a tearoom, but it only opens Easter to the end of October. Picnics are allowed on the lawns by the fountain, so bring your own outside that window.
Is there parking?
There's a visitor centre car park, plus free parking for coaches if you're bringing a group.
Can toddlers go free?
Under-fives don't need a paid ticket, though you can book them a free infant ticket.
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