Harvington Hall

Harvington Hall is a Grade I listed historic house in Worcestershire, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Harvington Hall

Harvington Hall is a moated medieval and Elizabethan manor house near Kidderminster in Worcestershire.

It holds seven priest hides, more than any other house in England, built to shelter Catholic priests during Elizabethan persecution.

The house retains Elizabethan wall paintings, original panelling and floorboards.

It is a member property of Historic Houses, and visitors can join guided tours or explore its winding staircases and passages independently.

History of Harvington Hall

The manor dates to the medieval period, with the moated house taking much of its present Elizabethan form under the Pakington family, who were recusant Catholics and faced fines and persecution for refusing to attend Anglican services. The priest hides built into the fabric of the house are attributed to Nicholas Owen, the Jesuit lay brother renowned for constructing hiding places across Catholic households in this period. Owen was captured and died under torture in 1606. The house passed through various hands after the Pakingtons before opening to the public.

Architecture of Harvington Hall

The Hall combines medieval origins with a substantial Elizabethan rebuilding, set within a moat, and retains original timber panelling, floorboards and painted wall schemes from that period.

Worth knowing

The Hall is associated with Nicholas Owen, the master builder of priest hides who constructed several of Harvington's seven hiding places before his own capture and death under torture in 1606.

Gardens & grounds at Harvington Hall

The gardens surrounding the moated Hall are open alongside the house and include the Elizabethan Malt House, now a small coffee shop serving food made with local produce.

Facilities

Parking

Plan your visit to Harvington Hall

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Blakedown Rail Station (2.7 miles)

Open daily; check official website for hours and event details.

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

Is this your property? Update this listing for free

Places to visit near Harvington Hall

Hartlebury Castle

historic house 3.3 miles

Visit Hartlebury Castle View Hartlebury Castle on heritage map

Rosedene

historic building 3.3 miles

View Rosedene on heritage map

Hagley Hall

historic house 4.7 miles

Visit Hagley Hall View Hagley Hall on heritage map

Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses

archaeological site 6.3 miles

Visit Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses View Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses on heritage map

Hanbury Hall

historic building 7.8 miles

Visit Hanbury Hall View Hanbury Hall on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Harvington Hall there are 3 historic properties, including 2 historic houses, across Historic Houses and National Trust sites.

2 Historic Houses

1 National Trust

2 Historic house

1 Historic building

See these 3 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Harvington Hall there are 7 historic properties, including 4 historic buildings and 2 historic houses, across National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.

3 National Trust

2 English Heritage

2 Historic Houses

4 Historic building

2 Historic house

1 Archaeological site

See these 7 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Harvington Hall there are 42 historic properties, including 17 historic buildings, 11 historic houses and 10 churchs, across National Trust, Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

15 National Trust

12 Historic Houses

10 Churches Conservation Trust

5 English Heritage

17 Historic building

11 Historic house

10 Church

1 Manor house

1 Garden