Wittering Court in Daws Heath is the rebuilt version of the famous 16-bedroom manor house in roughly the same secluded woodland location in Bramble Crescent that was used between 1914 and 1919 as a “private asylum for imbeciles and epileptics.”Secluded – Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove)
The original Wittering Court, was three storeys, containing a kitchen, pantry, three acres of land with a large tennis court, pond and orchards which were at the disposal of the occupants and owner Mrs Sarah Ann Binstead.
According to the Hadleigh and Thundersley Community Archive, on January 5, 1919, a scandal broke out when the 46-year-old Ms Jessie Spurling was found dead from heart failure due to starvation and neglect – lifting the lid on the treatment of patients from 1917 onward.
Master bedroom – Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove)
The famous trial saw Mrs Binstead charged with manslaughter, being found “insane” herself and sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum – no one being found responsible for the death.
The property had a serious fire in 2012 and was demolished due to the damage and a new house was built – the property that has now gone up for sale.
Rebuilt – The new Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove)
Small bedroom – A smaller bedroom in Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove)
The new Wittering Court extends across 10 acres of mature woodland and has six double bedrooms, five bathrooms and two cloakrooms with a “stunning” entrance hall and oak staircase.
Up for sale on Rightmove, a spokesman said: “This is a truly unique opportunity, having not been on the market for over 60 years it is a chance to purchase a stunning, landmark home in a highly sought after location.
Grand entrance – Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove) Lounge – The spacious lounge of Wittering Court (Image: Rightmove)
“Offered with no onward chain, an early internal inspection is strongly advised.”
The original property had multiple attempts made to repurpose it after the scandal – including turning into six flats in 1954 and even an application to turn it back into a nursing home.
The spokesman added: “This magnificent property was constructed just 11 years ago to the vendors exacting standards and is an extremely large and impressive detached family home occupying an amazing plot of approximately 10 acres of private woodland.”