Hartlebury
Castle
Situated in a park to the west of the village of Hartlebury and
sign-posted in the village. Hartlebury Castle is home to
the Bishops of Worcester
and to the county museum,
this magnificent building is an embattled structure of red sandstone
and surrounds a quadrangular court.
Nothing remains of the medieval exterior of Hartlebury Castle,
for the original fortress was sieged, looted and ruined by Roundhead
troops in 1646. The present three-wing mansion was built 30 years
later with 18th century alterations including many arched windows.
The Bishop of Worcester's House is in the south wing by a chapel,
the north wing holds the Worcester County Museum and the central
block contains the State Rooms, which are used for various public
and religious events.
It was in 1255 that Bishop Cantelope commenced to fortify the
building, its completion was carried out by Bishop Giffard who
had a moat constructed around it in 1268 following this Bishop
Carpenter added a strong gate-house.
At the time of the civil war it was used as a prison for royalists,
following the restoration of Charles 11 its use was reverted back
to its original use for the Bishops of Worcester, there have been
a number of royal visits which included Princess Mary Tudor in
1575, Queen Elizabeth 1 also in 1575, George 111 and Queen Charlotte
were also guests here.
It is possible to view parts of this ancient building and see
paintings of historical importance.
In the north wing of the castle is the County Museum, this
contains many interesting artefacts, which include Dolls houses
and toys, a Victorian /Edwardian baby carriage.
A bronze age axehead, Georgian cruet, gypsy caravans, hansom
cab, wagons and a Castle 3 car built at castle motors Kidderminster,
the newly opened "Castle Kitchens "for refreshments has proved
to be a success with visitors.
There are countless exhibits and all worth seeing.
Visitors should allow a couple of hours to complete the tour.
Witley Court
Witley Court is situated about 10 miles north west
of Worcester and is reached by the A443, whilst using this route
visitors will observe near a signpost to Little Witley some cottages
on the right hand side of the road with the bedroom window levels
parallel with the road.
This was brought about during the course of building Witley Court,
wagons carrying the stone were "bottoming" in a dip in the road,
the solution was to lift the road level.
The magnificent building was once an early Jacobean manor house
and was converted in the 19th century into a large mansion house
and became the home of the 1st Earl of Dudley and was
the venue for many grand occasions, aristocracy partied here
with lavish celebrations.
The building burned down in 1937 and just a shell remains, in
the years following the fire the property had many parts "salvaged
by the unscrupulous" and remained derelict for decades.
English Heritage took charge of the site, making safe the
building and restoring the south parterre with its great Perseus
and Andromeda fountain, when this is fired as it is from time
to time, its noise is described as being that of an express train.
Visitors can view the south garden, the woodland walks in the
north park and see the many trees and shrubs collected from all
over the world.
Opening times
10 am - 5 pm 1st April to 31st May
- Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri/ Sat/Sun
10 am - 6 pm 1st June to 31st Aug - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun
10 am - 5 pm 1st Sept to 31st Oct - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun
10 am - 4 pm 1st Nov to 28th Feb - Mon//Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun
10
am - 5 pm 1st Mar to 31st Mar - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun
CLOSED 24th -26th Dec and 1st Jan for further information Tel
-01299 896636
St Michael and All Angels, Great Witley -
Adjoining Witley Court
St Michaels and All Angels church has been described as being
one of Britain’s
finest Baroque Churches.
It was built in 1735 and has a magnificence that is unsurpassed
in a Parish Church, it serves both Great Witley and Little Witley.
Replacing a medieval church which stood on the site, this beautiful
church attracts visitors from world wide who make the journey to
admire the painted glass windows,and the many paintings by Antonio
Bellucci, also to be seen is the massive memorial to Lord and Lady
Foley, completed in 1735 and sculpted by John Michael Rysbrack
it is the tallest funerary monument in the country.
The exquisite beauty of the ceiling makes a visit a memorable
occasion.
It is possible to purchase books detailing the history of Witley
Court and of the Church on site. There is also a tea
room to enable visitors obtain refreshments.
Allow 2 hours to visit.
A COUPLE OF PUBS
The Mug House, North Claines, Worcester
The Mug House Pub is situated in Claines Lane, this ancient
pub can be reached via the A449, Claines is signposted at
the roundabout and is on the outskirts of Worcester.
Originally a brew house for claines church its history goes back
at least 600 years, it has the distinction of being the only public
house standing on consecrated ground in the country.
In the 17th century
the closure of brew houses belonging to the church was brought
about by the puritans because of he amount of drunkeness
and lewd behaviour of the congregations after services.
The Mug House has survived the centuries and this timber framed
building has been refurbished many times but much of its original
structure is still to be seen, the pub has a resident ghost, doors
open and close without apparent reason, tools used in the
cellar to open barrels move about on their own.
During a storm some years ago an external wall was damaged and
during the course of repair a bishops crozier was found in the
wall, how and why it got there is not known, it was identified
as being the crozier belonging to one of the bishops of Worcester,
it is now used in claines church.
In summer months Morris dancers visit to entertain and there
are Jazz evenings
At lunchtimes home -cooked bar snacks are available, with
a fully stocked bar the Mug House is a popular venue.
The Wagon Wheel
The Wagon Wheel Pub is situated in the parish of Grimley situated
near the church and reached by taking the A443 and is sign posted
just some 4 miles from Worcester.
Once known as "The Masons" it was previously 2 cottages, standing
just a short distance from the river Severn and a
nearby lane which was an ancient salt way along which salt was
transported from Droitwich.
With its 15th/16th century origins this attractive building in
its earlier days had a Lean-to attached from which soft drinks
were served to visitors to the then Grimley Lido, nowadays the
Wagon Wheel has an extensive menu available in its restaurant and
a range of bar meals are served.There is a formidable wine list
consisting of more than 70 different wines.
The Wagon Wheel - highly recommended for food
Grimley was the place of "imprisonment" of Lucien Bonaparte
brother of Napoleon he was held at Thornycroft a stone built mansion
in the parish.
Grimley was also the one time home of Ann Innet, she gained
fame by beating the hangman’s noose in 1786, sentenced to
death for stealing - the sentence was reduced to transportation
to Australia. During the long sea journey she gained favour of
the ships captain for her good behaviour and as a result she was
selected to continue from Botany bay to Norfolk Island. There she
became housekeeper to Lieut. Philip Gidley King RN. who was the
Lieu. Governor of the colony; it was said that she warmed his bed
at night and went on to bear him 2 illegitimate sons.
in 1790
Gidley King returned to England and married his cousin Anna Coombe
then in 1791 Gidley King
and his bride arrived in Australia and with Ann’s consent
they decided to raise his illegitimate 2 sons as part of their
family.
Ann Innet married a convict Richard John Robinson and after
a few years they opened a hotel. She was granted 30 acres of
land by the then newly appointed governor of South Wales - Commander
Philip Gidley King the
father of her 2 sons.
Ann and her husband prospered to become landowners employing servants. |
