A NEW guidebook looks back at the spectacular history of Worcestershire’s Witley Court.

Once one of England’s greatest country estates, it has been given a new lease of life in the comprehensive English Heritage guide.

Personal accounts and photographs of former staff and family members provide a flavour of what life would have been like at the mansion in Great Witley, where Sir Edward Elgar once performed and royal visitors were regularly welcomed.

Lorna Harrold, who died aged 90 earlier this year, lived on the vast estate until 1924 when she was six years old.

In the book she talks of life at Witley Court where her father was head groom and how everything changed when the Dudley family left.

“After Lady Dudley died, Sir Herbert Smith bought the court,” she said. “He used to have a big Rolls-Royce and he would go through the village every day in his top hat.”

The first Lord Dudley’s immense wealth, generated through industrial enterprises across the West Midlands, enabled his family to live an extraordinarily opulent life.

He paid for an ornate formal garden, designed by the leading garden designer of the day William Andrews Nesfield. The garden has recently been restored along with the Perseus and Andromeda fountain.

The guide, which includes fold-out maps, also reveals how the property was gutted by fire in 1937, subsequently stripped and abandoned.

Ian Marsh, English Heritage’s assistant visitor operations director for the West of England, said: “The guidebook takes an entirely fresh approach to the site’s history – the format and content is attractive and accessible while at the same time providing historical information of the highest standard. The oral histories give a connection with those who have lived at this historic site, while the number of quality photographs and illustrations, maps and plans bring the house and gardens to life and help visitors gain the most out of their visit.”

Now a romantic ruin, Witley was put up for sale for £887,000 earlier this year. It is under offer from an unknown buyer.

The book, priced £3.99, is on sale at Witley Court and online at english-heritage. org.uk.