Hartlebury Castle

Hartlebury Castle Discover the home of the Bishops of Worcester for over 1000 years and Worcestershire County Museum. Registered charity no: 1127871.
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05/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week, we asked our amazing volunteers what giving their time to the Castle means to them – but we only allowed them five words each!

Thank you to the entire team – from Gardening to House Stewarding and Events to the Hurd Library – for being the heart of our historic attraction. We wouldn’t be here without you ❤️

If objects could speak this MuseumWeek…they might let us know the mysteries behind them! This magnificent four poster be...
04/06/2026

If objects could speak this MuseumWeek…they might let us know the mysteries behind them! This magnificent four poster bed was believed to have been slept in by two Princes of Wales (including King Charles III!) and it is one of the main features of the Prince’s Bedroom, but myths surround when and why it was made 🛏️

The beautiful blue and gold decorations were long thought to have been created for the Prince of Wales’ (later King George IV) visit to the Castle in 1807, with his heraldic badge – the Prince of Wales’ feathers – sitting proudly on the bed’s pelmet.

The then 87-year-old Bishop Hurd was said to be unwell on this day and couldn’t entertain his royal guest for very long. After only 45 minutes, he left to stay at Ombersley Court!

More recent investigations have led us to believe that the bed and decorations may be of a later period, as the technology used to construct them doesn’t match what was available in the early 19th century. So, the existence of the Prince of Wales’ heraldic badge is a mystery… 🤔

The tassels and ornamental hangings certainly do give it a sense of grandeur however, and they were fit for royalty. We still believe that King Charles III slept in this bed during his visit as Prince in 1979, and after him, Bishop John!

As the Bishops of Worcester came and went over time, taking their furniture and stories with them, the truth surrounding some objects at the Castle (like this) has been lost.

We hope to uncover the truth in the future here at the Castle, so do get in touch if any of this bed’s history has somehow made its way to you.

03/06/2026

Get a sneak peek at the cast of Immersion Theatre Company’s The Jungle Book – a hilarious, family-friendly show coming to the Castle on Sunday 28th June at 2.30pm! 🐻

See Baloo, Bagheera, Mowgli, and even Shere Khan on stage with a wildly entertaining, musical adventure through the jungle. Expect plenty of fun audience interaction outdoors in the Carriage Circle 🌴

Tickets cost £16 for adults and £10 for children, with discounts for families and concessions and free tickets for under 3s. Booking fees apply.

Buy your tickets here: https://hartleburycastle.com/event/the-jungle-book

Could YOU be the Dancing Queen at an unforgettable ABBA outdoor tribute concert at the Castle, presented by Operation Mo...
29/05/2026

Could YOU be the Dancing Queen at an unforgettable ABBA outdoor tribute concert at the Castle, presented by Operation Moonlight? 💃 After last year’s sell out show, the sensational 21stcenturyabbatribute are back on Saturday 13th June at 8pm!

Whether your favourite tune by this iconic group is Mamma Mia or Waterloo, this party in the Carriage Circle is guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along. Expect disco-ready costumes, stunning harmonies and talented musicians 🎶

Feel free to dress up in your best 70s or 80s outfits!

Tickets cost £29 for adults, £17.50 for children/NUS and £83.50 for families. Booking fees apply.

Get hold of your tickets now: https://hartleburycastle.com/event/abba-by-moonlight

Such a beautiful week for a moat and grounds walk ☀️ Look at this electric blue damselfly that we captured flitting abou...
28/05/2026

Such a beautiful week for a moat and grounds walk ☀️ Look at this electric blue damselfly that we captured flitting about, alongside dozens of others that had just hatched! Patience was definitely a virtue when taking this photo – but it was worth it.

The rhododendrons are also out in force in the Sunken Garden, leading to some rather happy bees 🐝

The sun has definitely made admiring the views and wildlife at the Castle extra special over the last few days.

We’re all mad here this week...especially for taking photos with this amazing Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum face-in-hole b...
27/05/2026

We’re all mad here this week...especially for taking photos with this amazing Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum face-in-hole board (made by talented Castle team member Rachel and husband Peter) ✨

Don’t miss the final day of Alice’s Enchanted Puzzle Trail and Crafts: tomorrow, Thursday 28th May!

Families have been getting stuck into crafting creative Queen of Hearts lanterns, dressing up, playing croquet, and figuring out lots of riddles and challenges on the trail while admiring the Wonderland decorations 🦩 Why not join them this half-term?

Whole site admission tickets required for the trail and crafts, plus £4.50 per child (or plus 50p for the trail only).

Book tickets here (or buy on the door): https://hartleburycastle.com/event/alices-enchanted-puzzle-trail

26/05/2026

What terrific tea parties! 🥳 Thank you to those who braved the heatwave to join the Mad Hatter, Alice and friends for a crazy celebration at the Castle.

We loved hearing your riddles and seeing polaroid photos with the characters come to life before your eyes – even if it took a bit of effort!

The party may be over, but you can still enjoy Alice’s Enchanted Puzzle Trail and Crafts until Thursday 28th May: https://hartleburycastle.com/event/alices-enchanted-puzzle-trail

The peonies are here! These beautiful flowers are all a-bloom on the Queen Elizabeth Walk in their many lovely shades – ...
22/05/2026

The peonies are here! These beautiful flowers are all a-bloom on the Queen Elizabeth Walk in their many lovely shades – we can’t believe how big some of them get 🌺

More are in bud but peony season will be over before we know it, so make sure to visit soon if you’d like to catch them in person.

Calling all story lovers! 📚 See what wonders you could experience in Wonderland this half-term…Last year, we had a truly...
21/05/2026

Calling all story lovers! 📚 See what wonders you could experience in Wonderland this half-term…

Last year, we had a truly mad time at our Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland event, so this year we’ve gone even further down the rabbit hole!

This Bank Holiday Monday on 25th May, you can:

🎩 Join The Mad Hatter, Alice and friends for a fun-filled tea party with jelly and ice cream
📸 Have your photo taken with the characters, then decorate a Queen of Hearts Castle photo frame to display it at home
🏰 Explore the fantastically decorated Castle on the themed interactive trail (including beautiful artwork made by our volunteers and friends)
🦩 Play croquet and adventure through the grounds to the woodland playground
👗 Enjoy fancy dress (or come along as a story character of your choice)!

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party costs £8 for adults and £10 for children (£7.50 when a child is covered by a Worcestershire Resident or Guardian Pass). Booking fees apply. This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust.

If you can’t make the bank holiday, why not craft your own Queen of Hearts themed lantern and follow Alice’s trail from Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th May instead? ❤️

Whole site admission tickets required for Alice’s Enchanted Puzzle Trail and Crafts, plus £4.50 per child (or plus 50p for the trail only).

Book your slot at The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: https://hartleburycastle.com/event/mad-hatters-tea-party

Buy tickets for Alice’s Enchanted Puzzle Trail and Crafts: https://hartleburycastle.com/event/alices-enchanted-puzzle-trail

Address

Hartlebury Castle
Kidderminster
DY117XZ

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441299250416

Website

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