Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust Ticket Portal

Dive into the Castle’s secrets and history on a guided tour on Tuesday 12th November!

Step inside the breathtaking 18th century Hurd Library, not usually open to the public. Get the chance to hear a special talk from our Volunteer Librarians about Bishop Hurd, his fascinating life and his marvellous collection of books – you might even see one or two up close!

Continue your tour with knowledgeable volunteers through the State Rooms – the atmospheric Chapel, the ornate Georgian Saloon and the magnificent Medieval Great Hall. Find out all about the rooms’ history and the people who lived and worked here over hundreds of years.

Finish your visit with a slice of cake and a cup of tea or coffee and ask your guide your burning questions!

Plus, you can explore the rest of the Castle at your leisure from 10am onwards, including Worcestershire County Museum – all included in your ticket.

Tickets – must be pre-booked

£25 per person – £1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Please note that this is a public tour. It starts at 1.30pm and will last approximately two hours.

Please contact us if you are interested in Carers tickets or would like to visit accompanied by an Assistance Dog. The tour is wheelchair accessible.

When you arrive, please let Reception know you are here for the group tour and please meet your guide there at 1.20pm.

Guardian Passes, Worcestershire Resident Passes and Historic Houses Member Passes are not valid for this event.

Any questions? Contact Chantel at events@hartleburycastle.com.

Within days of Remembrance Day, see a touching theatrical production that brings a war hero’s story to life.

On August 4th 1914, with the declaration of war between Britain and Germany, reservist Tommy Atkins is immediately called up to serve his country. Within weeks he sees his first action in the fields of France and subsequently experiences the full scale of life in the Western Front trenches of the First World War – the horror, the pain, the misery, the boredom and even the moments of joy.

Writer Peter Gill performs his own work, judged to be ‘Compelling, moving, insightful and believable’ by Stage Talk Magazine.
 

About the play

“I wrote this play in 2014 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of The First World War. The story is very close to my heart as I have a great interest in the war and also the social history of Britain that was directly affected by it.” – Peter Gill

‘Meet Tommy Atkins’ takes the audience not just through Tommy’s war, but also his life back home in Britain post war. We learn of his experiences in the trenches – fighting on the Somme, at Passchendaele and Loos; and also of the boredom, the loss and indeed the comradeship. Returning to Britain, Tommy shows us how a generation of returning men were maltreated but how ultimately it was his generation that forced through the foundations of the Welfare State.

From the beginning of the Great War to the end of the Second, Private Tommy Atkins was there. This is his story.
 

Tickets (save by booking in advance)

Adult: £15 (£17 on the door)
Concession (under 16, over 60 and NUS): £10 (£12 on the door)

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Running time: approximately 1 hour 55 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

Doors open at 6pm, when pre-theatre drinks and snacks will be available to purchase from the bar.

Doors to the performance in the Great Hall open at 6.45pm.

Find the perfect festive gifts at the Christmas craft fair!

Join us for A Festive Evening at the beautifully decorated Bishop’s Palace on Saturday 23rd November from 5.30 to 9pm. Browse charming independent craft stalls and indulge in a complimentary mulled wine or hot chocolate to the soundtrack of live seasonal music. Tick your Christmas shopping off the list and treat yourself on this evening of festive cheer!

Tickets

£5 – includes a complimentary hot chocolate or mulled wine, if tickets are bought in advance (vegan option available).

Free entry for Carers, under 16s and Guardian passholders.

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks will also be available to purchase at the bar.

Extra session added - Friday 13th December: 10.30am

Tuesday 3rd December: 10.30am (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday 3rd December: 2pm (SOLD OUT)
Friday 6th December: 10.30am (SOLD OUT)
Wednesday 11th December: 6.30pm (SOLD OUT)

Create a Christmas wreath fit for the season!

Learn from the best (in this case, Head Gardener Jane Finch) and make your very own, unique wreath using fresh greenery and your festive design skills. Ideal for decorating your front door, it will be the envy of your neighbours!

Plus, enjoy the stunning Christmas decorations at the Castle and relax with a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie after your hard work (non-alcoholic drink available).

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust. By joining us, you can help Hartlebury Castle’s work to use its stories as inspiration for visitors and encourage them to consider the issues of the world today.

Tickets

£30.00 (includes a mince pie and complimentary mulled wine or non-alcoholic drink).

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

For an additional £5.00, stay for the day and explore the whole Castle, including Worcestershire County Museum, as you discover its fascinating stories and exhibitions.

All materials are provided. Workshops last approximately 2 hours.

Places are limited. Our wreath making courses are popular every year, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Get into the festive spirit as you enjoy songs and stories with Santa!

Sing along with Santa to all the Christmas family favourites, then relax with a tasty breakfast of a sweet pastry and warming hot chocolate (or juice) while Santa brings The Night Before Christmas to life with his wonderful storytelling.

Not to forget, every child gets their very own present from Santa too!

After you’re sufficiently excited for Christmas, you can discover all the secrets of the festively decorated Castle (keep an eye out for the Secret Room) and the beauty of the winter grounds. Follow the Nutcracker Trail for an extra 50p!
 

Session times

9.45am
11.30am
 

Tickets

Whole site admission tickets required, plus £6.50 per child (includes a drink, pastry and present) – must be pre-booked online. Adults do not need to purchase the £6.50 Singalong ticket for themselves.

Adults can pre-order their own hot chocolate and pastry for an additional £4.50.

Sessions last approximately 1 hour. Doors open 20 minutes before each session.

Please note that Historic Houses Member passes are not valid for this event.

Bring your furry friend to see Santa!

Christmas isn’t just for humans! New for 2024 – what could be cuter at Christmas than your pet meeting Santa and his elf? From dogs to adventurous cats and rabbits, all furry animals are welcome.

Every pet will get a treat, as well as their own present to open on Christmas Day – and of course, the chance to take a photo or two with Santa!

Plus, why not enjoy a peaceful walk around the winter Castle grounds with your four-legged friend?

Session times – limited slots available

Every 10 minutes from 2-4pm (10 minutes per session).

Tickets

Grounds admission tickets required, plus £6 per pet (includes a gift) – must be pre-booked online. Humans do not need to purchase the £6 Santa Paws ticket for themselves.

Humans can also pre-order a hot chocolate and pastry for an additional £4.50.

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Historic Houses Member passes are not valid for this event.

You are welcome to explore the grounds before or after your Santa Paws session. However, please note that the grounds close at 4pm – if you have booked a later session and would like to enjoy a walk, please do so before meeting Santa.

Sunday 22nd December, 11am and 2.30pm

Live seasonal music plus a much-loved Christmas tale equals fun for all the family!

Worcestershire Winds Concert Band is back at Hartlebury Castle for 2024 with their ever-popular performance of The Snowman Concert. Be entertained by a selection of festive pieces in Act One, then bottle up that Christmas feeling with an expessive reading of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman in Act Two, accompanied by its iconic music.

Experience your festive favourites with a little extra magic, performed by fantastic musicians. A concert for all ages and a great introduction for children into the exciting world of live music.

If that hasn’t got you into the Christmas mood, meet and take a photo with Santa during the interval!

Tickets

Adult: £10
Child/NUS: £8
Carer: Free
Under 2: Free (must share a seat with an adult)

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Performance running time: approximately 1 hour, plus an interval when the bar will be open selling drinks and snacks.

Doors open 30 minutes before each performance, when the bar will also be open. Doors to the event itself in the Great Hall open 10 minutes before each performance.

Please note that this performance includes loud music – feel free to call us on 01299 250797 if you have any concerns that you’d like to discuss.

Santa's Grotto has now sold out.

Enjoy a magical family day out at the Christmas Castle and meet Santa himself!

A Family Christmas returns to Hartlebury Castle this December! The weekend of 7th-8th December will be jam-packed with festivities and the Castle will be transformed by enchanting decorations.

You can look forward to all of these Christmas activities:

• Meet Santa and receive a present – time slots are now sold out (£8 per child)
• Sing carols with Mother Christmas and Mr Jingle around the piano!
• Discover the hidden nutcracker soldiers and their stockings on the Christmas trail
• Get stuck into Christmas crafts
• Decorate a Christmas biscuit
• Have a go at juggling and balloon modelling with Looby and Joey the Juggler!
• Write that all-important letter to Santa in the Victorian schoolroom
• Uncover the stories of the Castle and see it specially dressed for the season!

A winter moat walk is a lovely addition to the day – see what wildlife you can spot on your way to the woodland playground! Then, refuel at Hayley’s Kitchen café or settle into the lovely Orchard Picnic Area.

As you head home, why not buy a beautiful Christmas wreath, handmade by our volunteer gardeners?

Times

Entertainment and craft activities: 11-4pm.

Santa’s Grotto meetings: 10.50am-4.50pm (10 minutes per session).

Tickets

Whole site admission required, plus £8 per child for Santa’s Grotto. Includes the Nutcracker Trail (usually 50p), plus entertainment, crafts and decorating a Christmas biscuit.

Exclusive 10-minute meetings with Santa (including a present!*) cost £8 and must be pre-booked due to limited time slots - SOLD OUT.

*Children aged 10+ will receive a chocolate selection bag (allergy-free if stated during booking).