Photo: Hartlebury Castle by Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Hartlebury Castle stands near the village of Hartlebury in Worcestershire, built as a fortified manor house for the Bishops of Worcester in the mid-13th century.
It served as the bishops' principal residence for much of the past thousand years, a rare survival of a working ecclesiastical palace still on its original site.
The fortification of the site began in 1255 when Bishop Cantelupe surrounded it with a moat, and a license to crenellate was obtained in 1288.
The present building dates from the late 14th century onwards.
The castle now holds the Worcestershire County Museum and the Hurd Library alongside its state rooms and private chapel.
Hartlebury Castle Trust runs the site in partnership with Museums Worcestershire.
The grounds include a nature trail open to visitors.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The manor was granted to the Bishop of Worcester by the Mercian king Burgred. Fortification of the site began in 1255 when Bishop Cantelupe surrounded it with a moat. A license to crenellate was obtained in 1288. The present building was begun in the late 14th century. For centuries afterwards it remained under episcopal ownership as the bishops' seat in the county. During the First World War the castle was pressed into service as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital for wounded servicemen.
Architecture
The castle is Grade I listed, its fabric showing the long transition from a defended medieval manor house to a more domestic episcopal residence, with later remodelling reflecting its centuries of continuous occupation.
Worth knowing
The castle operated as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital during the First World War, a lesser-known chapter that sits alongside its centuries as an episcopal residence.
Gardens & grounds
The grounds include a nature trail that visitors can follow around the castle's parkland setting.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Hartlebury Rail Station (0.9 miles)
Open February to December; check official website for specific dates and holiday closures.
Nearby properties
Harvington Hall
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Visit Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses View Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Hartlebury Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic house.
Within 10 miles of Hartlebury Castle there are 6 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings and 2 historic houses, across National Trust, Historic Houses and English Heritage sites.
Within 20 miles of Hartlebury Castle there are 37 historic properties, including 15 historic buildings, 10 churchs and 10 historic houses, across National Trust, Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A fortified bishop's palace still standing on the land granted to it by a Mercian king over a thousand years ago.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Worcestershire, England
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