Spring has sprung at Witley Court with the busiest bank holiday ever!

The opening of  a brand new Wilderness Play Area, family fun at the Children’s Festival and, of course, a weekend of superb weather saw Witley Court & Gardens, near Worcester, welcome a record-breaking number of visitors for the May Bank Holiday weekend. The historic property welcomed over 4,600 visitors, the largest number on record and up over 600% compared to the same weekend in 2012.   

“After months of wintry weather, spring finally put in an appearance with perfect timing – the blossom is on the trees, the grass is growing and the sun is shining, so we were not surprised that people were making the most of the sunshine and heading outdoors – and we were delighted by just how many families joined us to enjoy their first picnic here at Witley Court,” comments English Heritage’s area manager, Mark Badger.  “We had always known that the Wilderness Play Area would be popular, and it was fantastic to see children of all ages exploring the treehouse, climbing the scramble nets, playing hide and seek around the different play zones – and having a wonderful time at Witley!”

The launch of the Wilderness Play Area was celebrated with a weekend of family friendly events in the Children’s Festival.  Mini medieval jousting, Victorian soldiers, circus skills, and puppetry all created a party atmosphere and proved popular with visitors of every age.

Witley Court’s beautiful East Parterre Garden also enjoyed the start of the spring season. After a slow start to the year following the snows and frosts of March, the garden was in full bloom, with a stunning array of colour that would normally have been expected around Easter.  Tulips and spring flowers punctuated the carefully trimmed box hedge scrolling, and the sunshine illuminated the coloured gravel.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed that the beautiful weather and enthusiasm we’ve seen this weekend from members of the public desperate to get out and about will mark the start of a very successful year,” adds Mark.  “We are open daily from now until the end of October, and with people watching the pennies, our English Heritage memberships are proving particularly popular with visitors who know that they can enjoy a full year of visits to Witley Court and over 400 sites around the country – and up to six children admitted free with each member.”

Witley Court’s next event will be rather different – a rare chance to visit the site after dark, with “Witley Court at Night” taking place on Friday 17 May.  The family fun continues over the Summer half term holiday (Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June, including the Spring Bank Holiday weekend), with a family fun trail, and on 22 & 23 June, with a Victorian Garden Party.

Witley Court is open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm (10am-5pm from 1 October).  Admission prices are £6.90 for adults, £6.20 for concessions and £4.10 for children.  A family ticket (two adults and up to three children) is available for £17.90.  English Heritage members get in free.

For more information, please call 01299 896636 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/witley

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Witley Court and Gardens

Worcester Road, Great Witley, Worcestershire - WR6 6JT

A hundred years ago, Witley Court was one of England’s great country houses, hosting many extravagant parties. Today it is a spectacular ruin the results of a disastrous fire in 1937. The vast remains of this palatial 19th century mansion, surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens & containing huge stone fountains, provide a great day out in Worcestershire. The largest fountain, representing Perseus and Andromeda and now restored - was described in its day as making the 'noise of an express train' when fired.

The Wilderness Play Area, designed by William Hardie, is a new addition for 2013. Already home to a wide range of wild flowers and minibeasts, Witley Court's new play area is designed to provide adventure play themed around the wilderness garden in which it sits. With a treehouse inspired by a seed pod, outdoor musical instruments and even a grass-covered amphitheatre - perfect for family picnics, the new play area located near to the Visitor Centre is set to be a huge hit with visitors of all ages.

Events at Witley Court, 2013

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk