Christmas is in ruins!
ADRIAN CAFFERY takes his family to a festive event at historic Witley Court
THE first Lord of Dudley was very fond of hosting extravagant Christmas gatherings at Witley Court during the 1850s.
A grand tree stood in the ballroom and among its decorations were diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
And as the annual get-togethers drew to a close, all the female guests were invited to pick a jewel from the tree to take home with them.
Sadly, there have been no festive frolics at Worcestershire’s Witley Court since fire ripped through the Italianate palace in 1937.
But a huge Christmas tree is once more glowing in the ballroom of the romantic ruin, now in the care of English Heritage.
The tree forms part of a festive after-dark event in which Witley Court and its grounds are bathed in colour and light.
A trail from the visitor centre takes you through a fairy glen filled with the sound of chimes and birdsong.
There are Chinese lanterns, woodland houses, a talking tree and the chance to grow yourself a pair of angel wings!
Witley’s lake is aglow and my kids loved how they were able to use push button controls to change the colour settings.
The trail continues to the gardens and eventually reaches Lord Dudley’s restored Perseus and Andromeda Fountain.
One of Europe’s grandest fountains, it has 120 jets hidden among sculptures of shells, sea nymphs, dolphins and a huge serpent.
It forms the centrepiece of a colourful light display set to music every 15 minutes, although there are only a few spurts of water.
The illuminated courtyard is a pleasant place to get some refreshments and toast marshmallows on an open fire.
Our children also enjoyed some traditional fairground rides (£2 each) before making our way back through the fairy glen.
Enchanted Witley Court runs from December 12-15 and 19-21, from 4.30pm to 9pm. Tickets cost from £12 for adults, £7.50 for children and £31.60 for families, with discounts for English Heritage members.