Great Witley, Worcestershire

Description
Witley, Great, a village and a parish in Worcestershire. The village stands 5 1/2 miles SW of Stourport, is a seat of petty sessions, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Stourport. The parish includes Redmarley hamlet, and comprises 2672 acres; population of the civil parish, 472; of the ecclesiastical, with Hillhampton, 606. Witley Court is the seat of the Earl of Dudley, and is a large mansion in the Italian style. The gardens cover an area of 10 acres, and contain fountains, the largest of which is the colossal group of Perseus and Andromeda. The park is extensive and picturesque, and contains some fine oaks. The Dowager Queen Adelaide resided here in 1843. An ancient camp is on Woodbury Hill, and was held for some weeks by Owen Glendower against the English. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Worcester; gross value, £304 with residence. Patron, the Earl of Dudley. The church was rebuilt by the first Lord Foley, and was restored in 1862. The interior exhibits rich decorations of Renaissance character. The ceiling was painted by Verrio, and a large monument of the first Lord Foley is by Rysbrach.