Hartlebury Castle
ENTRY
from £3
WHERE
Kidderminster
What it’s like
A bishop's palace with talking portraits, a county museum full of hands-on displays, and grounds with a playground and nature trail to wander after.
The pull here is the Bishop's Palace itself, where the portraits talk back to you via an audio guide, which is a nice way of getting kids to actually look at old paintings instead of trudging past them. Worcestershire County Museum next door is the hands-on bit, with room sets and displays kids can actually touch rather than just admire from behind a rope. Outside there's an adventure playground and a nature trail through the grounds, so a morning indoors with the portraits can easily roll into an afternoon running about.
Entry's £5 for an adult and £3 for a child on a one-day ticket, which feels fair for what you get, though if you know you'll be back the annual family ticket at £40.50 for two adults and three kids works out sensible if you're local. Worth knowing that the Bishop's Palace and grounds, including that playground, do sometimes close for maintenance, leaving just the museum open at a reduced fee, so it's the sort of thing that can catch you out if you've promised the kids a go on the slide.
Hayley's Kitchen does proper food, breakfast through to Sunday roast, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options and children's portions sorted. You can bring your own picnic too, just not into Hayley's Kitchen itself, that's café food only in there. Dogs are welcome in the grounds and reception, though it's assistance dogs only once you're inside the buildings or in the outdoor café seating.
Parking's free for both cars and coaches, which takes the sting out of the entry price a bit. The castle opens from February through to just before Christmas, Tuesday to Friday from 10am and a bit later at 11am on weekends. Seasonal extras like the Halloween Hunt, Count Pumpkinstein's trail and pumpkin carving turn up around autumn, alongside standing activities like the stained glass window craft and the coat of arms design.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free parking for cars and coaches
- Food
- On-site café (Hayley's Kitchen) with hot and cold food including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, Sunday roast
- Dogs
- Welcome in grounds and reception
- Getting there by bus or train
- Hartlebury Train Station is a 15-20 minute walk
- The Transport Gallery is closed for long-term maintenance, so don't build the visit around it
- Annual tickets don't work on event days, so check the What's On page if you're using one
- Grounds and outdoor café seating only allow assistance dogs, not pets
- One free carer goes in with a full paying ticket holder if you've got the right documentation
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£5 for an adult, £3 for a child aged 5 to 16, on a one-day ticket covering the Bishop's Palace, museum and grounds.
Is there an annual ticket?
Yes, £13.25 for concessions and £8.75 for a child, or £40.50 for a family of two adults and three children, covering the whole site for a year. It doesn't apply on event days though.
Do we need to book?
There's a booking option online. For the café, booking's advised for Sunday lunch and essential for afternoon tea.
Is there parking?
Free parking for cars and coaches on site.
What if the Bishop's Palace is closed?
On occasion the Palace and grounds, including the playground, close for maintenance. The museum stays open with a reduced entry fee at the door.
Can we bring a picnic?
You can bring your own food to eat in the grounds. Hayley's Kitchen itself is café food only.
What food is on site?
Hayley's Kitchen does breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and Sunday roast, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options and child friendly portions.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are welcome in the grounds and reception. Inside the buildings and the outdoor café seating it's assistance dogs only.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Weekends and bank holidays, 11am to 5pm. Open from 1st February to 23rd December.
Can we visit the Hurd Library?
Only through a group tour, it isn't open to the public otherwise. It's the only Anglican library still on the shelves in its original room.
Do group tours run?
Group tours are £18.50 per person for a minimum of 6, taking around half a day and covering the whole site. There are off-site Collections Centre Tours too, at £10 a head for groups of 8 or more.
How do we get there without a car?
Hartlebury train station is a 15 to 20 minute walk, and the Diamond Bus 303 runs Monday to Saturday, also about a 15 to 20 minute walk from The Birches stop.
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