New East Parterre looks Bloomin' Marvellous at Witley Court

It last looked this good 150 years ago, when it was newly planted as part of Nesfield’s grand design for the gardens. Now 21st century visitors can enjoy the restored East Parterre garden at Witley Court at its colourful peak, as the summer planting creates a riot of colour, and discover some of Witley’s wildlife with a stroll around the newly opened lakeside walk.

The East Parterre garden recreates the Parterre de Broderie style that would have graced the Victorian historic house in its heyday. The intricate design uses coloured gravel and flowers to create an embroidery-style design, neatly edged by hundreds of miniature box hedges.

“So much work has gone into the archaeological research, planning the layout, and the sourcing of appropriately-coloured gravel that it is hugely rewarding to see the East Parterre looking so fantastic now,” says Witley Court’s head gardener, Richard Squires. “Visitors will enjoy a fantastic riot of colour to take them back to the time when Witley was one of the major houses of the West Midlands.”

The summer bedding includes four different kinds of Pelagorium Zonale (Mrs Pollock, Distinction, Caroline Schmidt and A Happy Thought), Evening Primrose, Lobelia and Ageratum. The box hedge which forms the neat perimeter was all germinated from over 19,000 cuttings taken from the original hedge that marked out the intricate scrollwork, and had grown to two metres high since Witley Court was abandoned after the great fire of 1937.

Visitors this summer will also be encouraged to enjoy some brand new views over the lake at Witley Court towards the house itself, with the opening of a woodland walk that has never before been accessible to the public. Taking visitors on an alternative route through the Victorian rhododendrons, the path loops around the far side of the lake.

“On a still day, the surface of the lake reflects the house itself – a view only ever seen before by the occupants and guests of Witley Court,” adds Richard. “There’s also an abundance of wildlife, from kingfishers diving into the lake, to the pike, bream and carp living beneath the surface. We’ve also got some wonderful water lilies, including original Victorian varieties alongside some newer species introduced more recently.”

Witley Court & Gardens is open daily throughout the summer from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily (until 5pm from 1 September to 31 October). Admission prices are £6.30 for adults, £5.70 for concessions, £3.80 for children or £16.40 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members get in free.

For more details, please call Witley Court on 01299 896636 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/witleycourt

ENDS

Notes to editors: If you would like to take a tour with Richard Squires, please contact Jay Commins on 0113 251 5698.

For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567