Witley Park

Witley Park was a 19th-century house and estate in Surrey, near Haslemere.

The estate was developed in 1890 by the fabulously wealthy J. Whitaker Wright, as part of extensive land – approximately 9,000 acres (36 km2; 14 sq mi) – he purchased in the Haslemere and Hindhead area.

The pre-existing house, originally named Lea Park, was developed into a 32 bedroom mansion, adjacent to artificial lakes and landscaped grounds. In one lake, Whitaker Wright famously built an underwater, glass-roofed ball room.

Whitaker Wright committed suicide and his lands were auctioned, with much of Hindhead Common, Witley Common, Thursley Common etc. ending up in the hands of the National Trust.

Witley Park was sold to Lord Pirrie, famous for his role in the building of the RMS Titanic.

The Lea Park mansion was burned down in 1952. The park remains, but it is a private home and not open to the public.

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