Great Witley Church, Worcestershire

The parish church of St Michael and All Angels was a great surprise to me. It was that 'wow' moment when you use 'wow' the most appropriately. Entering the church brings you suddenly on the Italian soil, with all Italian style in interior decoration.

The church is part of the Witley Court estate, but it is not under the responsibility of English Heritage. It is maintained by local community. Witley Church has one of the finest 18th-century ecclesiastical interiors in England and it is very worthy your visit, even if the Court itself is now a ruin due to the fire in 1937. Even if it looks like a private chapel it has always been a parish church, replacing the ruined 13th-century church that once stood here.

The first Lord Foley planned a new church, which was constructed after his death in 1733 at the expense of his widow, and consecrated in 1735. The church had a brick exterior to match the house as it then was, and a plain interior; the architect might have been James Gibbs. Twelve years later the church was transformed when the second Lord Foley bought some of the fittings from the recently demolished chapel of the duke of Chando's mansion at Canons, Edgware (Middlesex). As Gibbs designed that church too, he was invited in Witley to fit in interior. The design included ceiling panels painted by Antonio Bellucci and ten windows painted by the London glass-painter Joshua Price after designs by Francesco Sleter. Gibbs used then recent invention papier mache instead of plaster. Bellucci's paintings include the big central oval of the Ascension and smaller panels of cherubs with symbols of the Passion, while Price's windows depict the scenes from the life of Christ.

The brick exterior was encased with stone, again, to match the mansion house exterior in 1861. In 1913 mosaics by Salviati & Co were incorporated into the reredos behind the altar.

Luckily, the church was untouched by the fire, but was neglected for decades as the house was completely demolished and abandoned. Restoration began in 1965 on the initiative of the parishioners and between 1993 and 1994 the whole of the interior, including Bellucci's beautiful panels, was cleaned.

Witley Court is a great place to spend a few hour walking and enjoying, no matter if it is summer or winter. The ruin of the main house is spectacular and it tells us about the grandeur of lifestyles of the Foley and Dudley families that lived here. In a beautifully maintained garden is a big fountain representing The Perseus and Andromeda, recently restored to full working order. The church has a tearoom, and Witley Court has a superb gift shop.

While in Witley Court, don't miss:

• The Wilderness Play Area for children of all ages to explore
• The rustic Victorian Boathouse
• The stunning Perseus and Andromeda fountain
• Our audio tour that brings the court to life
• A visit to the superb parish church nearby
• The beautifully restored East Parterre garden 

Prices: Adult £7.10, children (5-15 years) £4.30, concession £6.40, Family (2 adults, 3 children) £18.50, members of English Heritage FREE.