Fifth & final day of the 2025 @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival, where I learnt about priest hides with manager Phil (who is now in one for 48 hours to raise funds for the hall!), went into one myself & met Katherine of Aragon! And made friends with Jasper @harvingtoncats.bsky.social

#Spycraft & #ElizabethStuart at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social

Heard today that my session @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival is 85% sold out. Looks like it will sell out so please don't tarry if you want to join us for a special Mythbusting event at this amazing building on 23 July... harvingtonhall.digitickets.co.uk/event-ticket...

The next phase of our wall painting project—funded by the Historic Houses Foundation is underway! Conservators Mark and Bianca are now working in the large chapel on the east and west walls. Exciting progress ahead! 😊

New discovery! 🕵️‍♂️ The scaffolding’s down and our conservator Mark has started work on the lower East wall of the Mermaid Passage — and he’s uncovered a face! Worn with time, but just visible in side profile. Harvington really is the house that keeps on giving 😊

There are just 3 chances left to catch the Historic Building Mythbusting tour, all at fabulous locations... 5 July: Biddulph Grange Garden (Staffs) 23 July: Harvington Hall (Worcs) 30 July: Cliffe Castle, Keighley (W Yorks) More info & tickets: triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mythbustingt...

Fascinating visit to @harvingtonhall.bsky.social today, eye-opening to think more about the dangers of being Catholic in Elizabethan England and the ingenious hiding places that were engineered for their concealment Beautiful stained glass showing scenes from Thomas More’s life

@sixteenthcgirl.bsky.social and @harvingtonhall.bsky.social you made it into a GCSE History paper so you’re officially famous. #historyteacher

🖌️ Conservation is underway in the Mermaid Passage, thanks to a grant from Historic Houses Foundation Our conservator is revealing stunning details—like a mermaid with a sword & a charging man—by removing old wax. The difference in colour is incredible! 🧜‍♀️

It’s been a week since Phil announced his final priest hide challenge — 48 hours in the Hall’s most famous hiding place! 😬 With 2 months to go, the nerves are kicking in… and so is the regret! help him reach his £15,000 target. Please donate ❤️ donate.mydona.com/harvington-hall

He’s at it again! Hall Manager Phil is locking himself in a priest hole for 48hrs from Sunday 27th July with the a goal of raising £15,000 for Harvington Hall! Help him hit his target: 🎯 donate.mydona.com/harvington-hall

After a snoop around @harvingtonhall.bsky.social I'm writing writing a special Historic Building Mythbusting talk based on this one house. I'll be delivering it at the Harvington Hall History Festival on 23 July. Tickets are already 80% sold out: harvingtonhall.digitickets.co.uk/event-ticket...

Yesterday can only be described as a grand day out. It was also very heavy on felines in ancient buildings! Big thanks to Dr Martin Toms for showing me round @harvingtonhall.bsky.social and Brockhampton before putting me up in his 1520s house. The gig in Bromyard was excellent too!

The gardens are full of colour, the Hall is glowing in the evening light, and there’s a calm stillness in the air. Harvington is looking especially beautiful tonight 🌺😊

Captured from the first floor landing, this view reveals the graceful twist of the Newel Staircase and the rich textures of centuries-old timber 😊 Tudor craftsmanship at its finest 🪚

At 5.45am the large chapel was gently lit by the warm embrace of the rising sun ☀️ Shadows of the Elizabethan mullion windows stretch across the south wall 😍

Today we spotted Helen, Susan Calman’s iconic camper, parked proudly outside the Hall — and that can only mean one thing! A brilliant morning of filming, sharing some of Harvington’s best kept secrets. We can’t wait for you to see it! 😊🎥

Little Humph, the king of the moat wall, enjoying his sunset kingdom. Peaceful way to end his day 😻

A tribute to the staff and volunteers @harvingtonhall.bsky.social

Thanks to Historic Houses Foundation we are able to do this incredible work 😊

A birdy told me there are only a few tickets left. Book yours now and come & listen to @elegantfowl.bsky.social & yours truly talking forgery, skullduggery, disguises, ciphers, invisible ink, & of course unicorns & toads @harvingtonhall.bsky.social harvingtonhall.digitickets.co.uk/category/61089

Once filled with the clatter of pots, the warmth of the fire, and busy hands preparing grand feasts, the Elizabethan kitchen was the heart of the Hall. Today, as evening falls and visitors depart, a quiet stillness takes its place. A moment to reflect on the lives once lived at the Hall 😊🔥

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day! ☀️💐 It was such a joy to see so many families enjoying the sunshine and exploring the Hall today. Thank you for spending this special day with us! 😊

8 years ago today, a much younger Hall Manager emerged after 24 hours locked in the priest hide under the stairs. Many of you will remember that in 2021, he upped the challenge to 36 hours in another. ‘Never again,’ he said… but history has a funny way of repeating itself. Stay tuned! 👀

Spring is in full bloom at Harvington Hall! It’s been a beautiful day with visitors enjoying the grounds 😊 Here’s a perfect moment of a golden daffodil glowing in the warm embrace of the setting sun 🌼

Reflection👌🏼

Little Humph has spent most of his day snuggled up in the office 😊

Spent a sunny afternoon exploring Harvington Hall (@harvingtonhall.bsky.social), one of Historic Houses’ members and just up the road! Learnt a lot about priest hides and the Elizabethan era. Incredible scenery, history and lovely cakes too 🍰

Hall Manager Phil had quite the surprise while giving a talk on Priest Hides for a history society, spotting none other than Robert Plant in the audience! As a huge Led Zeppelin fan, seeing the local legend in person was an unforgettable moment 😊

There’s something about black and white photography, it doesn’t just capture a moment, it captures the atmosphere 😊

Beautiful sunlight streaming through the Large Chapel window this morning☀️

That’s a Wrap! 🎭 After 15 years, Manor by Moonlight has come to an end. This event brought the drama of an Elizabethan Catholic household under siege to life—all thanks to our incredible volunteers! 😊 As one chapter closes, another begins… A brand-new event is coming in 2026! Stay tuned! 👀

Last night was the first of four evenings, and we’re just getting started! Three more nights remain before we bid farewell to an event that has captivated audiences for 15 years 😊 We can’t wait to share the event that will take its place in 2026.

A warm glow filled the priest’s room this afternoon as the sun began to set. A moment of pure peace, where time seemed to stand still 😊🕰️

Once again, it’s all about right place, right time! The afternoon light streaming through the kitchen window perfectly illuminated the doorway of the Brew House, creating yet another breathtaking moment inside the Hall 😊

🚨 Harvington History Festival 2025 🚨 Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Over 1/3 sold in our pre-sale—don’t miss your chance! 📖 17 talks with authors, historians & broadcasters 🎶 1 concert To book harvingtonhall.digitickets.co.uk/category/61089

🌙 Manor by Moonlight: Final Year! 🌙 The 2025 season kicks off soon with Manor by Moonlight. This event has been part of our calendar for over 10yrs. In 2026, we’ll debut an exciting new evening performance to rival our popular Gunpowder Plot event. Stay tuned! 😊

Wall Painting Project Update! As part of our exciting £50k grant-funded project, we’ve stripped non-breathable paint from the ground floor to tackle damp issues. This revealed centuries of plaster and colour changes—and some beautiful brickwork! 🧱

🎉 Harvington History Festival 2025 – Tickets Coming Soon! 🎉 We’re back for our third year, and the festival just keeps getting better! With another amazing lineup planned, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Recently, we’ve been sharing warm sunlight streaming through our windows, but today it’s time to step outside! Here’s a beautiful shot of the Hall overlooking the frozen moat 🥶

The winter sunshine continues to grace us with beautiful photo opportunities here at Harvington😊 Captured this afternoon on the Newel Staircase, this atmospheric shot showcases the timeless charm of our lovely Hall!

How many times has the sun cast its golden light through this very window? 😊

As we say goodbye to 2024, we leave you with our most liked picture of the 😊 A huge thank you to our incredible team of volunteers and, of course, to all our amazing visitors who made this year so special. Your support keeps our history alive, and we couldn’t do it without you.

4 years ago today, Harvington was blanketed in snow ❄️ A magical winter wonderland! ✨

As we draw closer to Christmas, we wanted to share this serene moment we captured last weekend. Looking from the nursery into the secret chapel, the sunlight streaming through the window filled the space with a quiet, golden glow. 😍

The painted door in the Great Chamber at Harvington is a true gem, dating back to c1600. Imagine all the footsteps that have passed through it over the centuries, each with their own stories. A doorway to the past, quite literally! 😊

Tucked away off the Nine Worthies Passage are three interconnected rooms that once housed priests. Between the Priest’s bedroom and the Marble Room lies the red room, thought to have been a dining and living space. Doesn’t it look so atmospheric under candlelight?

🚨 Harvington Hall Closed Today 🚨 Due to the storm, the Hall, gardens, and coffee shop are closed. Please do not attempt to come up either lane. One is blocked by a fallen tree and the other is flooded.

Today, our mischievous trio, Harvey, Humphrey, and Jasper— turn six months old! These playful kittens have stolen our hearts and become beloved members of Harvington Hall 😃 🐈‍⬛ 🐾

Today we made our annual trip to Worcester Cathedral to set up the Harvington tree for the Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival. The standout feature is the beautiful wooden ornament created by a volunteer, replicating the Hall’s front gate. just look at the craftsmanship! 🪚