Witley Court and Gardens
Witley Court was developed into a mansion during James I and VI’s reign. In 1655, the Foley family, who made their fortune in the iron industry, purchased the estate. As the family’s wealth and social prominence developed, the 1st Baron Foley expanded the house greatly throughout the late 1600s and early 1700s.
Over time, the Foley family lost great sums of their fortune. However, Thomas, 3rd Baron Foley, married Lady Cecilia Olivia Geraldine FitzGerald in 1806 in what was an advantageous match. After receiving his wife’s dowry, Foley was able to commission the prominent Regency architect John Nash to develop the Witley estate. Nash added two imposing porticos to the north and south fronts of Witley Court house in the early decades of the 19th century.
England Culture & Tourism Route © Monika Simon Newbound 2020
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