Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust Ticket Portal

With award-winning pianist Peter Bradley-Fulgoni

Following his wonderful concert in May, Peter Bradley-Fulgoni is back this October! Come to this fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust and help us realise our ambitious vision for the Castle with your ticket purchase.

Experience piano music from through the centuries live in the atmospheric Great Hall, a structure that has stood through all their composers’ lives. Enjoy works by Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and more, performed by a skilled musician with years of experience – plus a complimentary drink.
 

Why we need your help

Bishop Yeatman-Biggs once remarked:

“Before there was a King of England there was a Bishop of Worcester; before there was a Windsor Castle, there was a Hartlebury Castle – surely we should consider well before we abandon it.”

These words highlight the belief in the importance of Hartlebury Castle’s heritage. The Castle is not merely a relic of the past; we believe that it is essential for historical buildings and charitable organisations like ours to have a relevance that goes beyond protecting history – that we have a duty to become a thought-provoking space, encouraging discussion and engagement with the world around us.

We have 1000 years of stories to tell: from the remarkable deeds of bishops who shaped national history to the everyday lives of servants who worked hard within its walls, every story Hartlebury Castle offers gives its visitors a glimpse into the past, and has the potential to invite them to reflect simultaneously on life today.

Please come to this concert and help us share our stories so we can delight the visitors of today and inspire the visitors of the future.

Tickets

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust.

£20 – includes a complimentary glass of wine or non-alcoholic alternative.

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Join us for a pre-show drink from 6pm.

Running time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including a 20 minute interval when the bar will be open to purchase refreshments.

The marvellous Miss Mapletree returns – this time with a WWII-themed Murder Mystery Dinner!

Miss Mapletree’s Perfect Murder presents a hilarious, immersive entertainment experience at Hartlebury Castle. Relax and take in the story and you dine with a delicious 3-course meal and, of course, put your detective skills to great use figuring out whodunnit! Feel free to dress up in your best 1940s costume.

Perfect Murder provides fully interactive, live-action murder mystery entertainment created and presented by famous sleuth and mystery writer Miss Mapletree. With over twenty-five years’ experience and a host of hysterical professional actors in full theatrical costume, every event is an evening to die for!

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust. With every ticket purchase, you can support our ambitions to inspire visitors with the Castle’s fascinating history and encourage them to consider the issues of the world today.
 

Dive into the story of Murder in the Blackout…

It’s the height of the World War II and an all-female vocal harmony group is touring military bases throughout England, keeping up morale amongst the troops. The Negroni Sisters – and their recordings of popular tracks such as Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) and Chattanooga Choo Choo – sell thousands of records.

Tonight, the Negroni Sisters are performing a sell-out show! As the auditorium fills up and the three singing sisters prepare for their performance, a shock discovery is made that throws the entire evening into doubt, and may even affect the outcome of the war. Fortunately, mystery novelist and top sleuth Miss Mapletree is on hand to lead the investigation into the case of Murder in the Blackout!
 

Tickets

EARLY BIRD OFFER: £50 (limited tickets available)

Standard ticket: £56

Online booking required. £3.50 booking fee per transaction.

Doors open at 6.30pm. Running time will be approximately 2 1/2 hours. Event finishes at approximately 11pm. Please book taxis ahead of time.

No alcohol to be bought onto site. The bar will be open during the event.

We cannot guarantee you will be seated with other guests you know, unless all tickets are purchased in the same order (up to a maximum of 10).

This event is not recommended for children under 14.
 

Detectives’ Dinner Menu

To start

Mixed tomato and mozzarella salad (vegetarian) or Leek and potato soup (vegan)

For your main course

Creamy tarragon chicken with a baby potato stack and vegetables or Autumnal butternut squash stew with toasted sourdough (vegan)

To finish

Apple crumble, served with custard or cream (vegan-friendly version available)

Please notify us of allergies or dietary requirements during the booking process and we will do our best to accommodate them.
 

Drinks

Fancy a tipple with your meal? Pre-order a bottle or two of prosecco, white wine or red wine at a reduced rate!

Prosecco or Prosecco Rose: £18

Sauvignon Blanc: £14

Shiraz: £14

Join us for a special outdoor hunt this Halloween season – will you find tricks or treats?

Who said outdoor hunts were just for Easter? Scour the grounds for miniature pumpkins and exchange them for a full-sized version from our Pumpkin Patch – look out for spooky or sweet things hidden inside your haul too!

Plus, take part in Pumpkin Carving – create a design for that carefully chosen pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, and have one of our friendly carvers bring your ideas to life.

You can also explore the Bishop’s Palace dressed spookily for Halloween and hunt for our wonderfully decorated pumpkins!
 

Hunt times

10am
11.30am
1pm

Tickets

Children: £10 (includes a pumpkin to be carved by the Castle team)
Adults: £6
Adult Passholders (Guardian and Worcestershire Resident Passes): Free – paid Child admission still applies

Online pre-booking only. £1.50 booking fee per transaction.

All tickets include admission to the Bishop’s Palace and Grounds. Worcestershire County Museum is closed on this day and Historic Houses Member passes are not valid.
 

More information

Disclaimer: you may find creepy crawlies on this hunt!

All children are welcome on the hunt, but it is best suited to those aged 4 and over. Adults need to accompany children (but please leave the fun of picking up pumpkins to the little ones!)

The pop-up café will be open selling hot drinks and treats.

If your child has additional needs, please get in touch so we can give them the best possible experience. This includes if they require a level access route. Please email Chantel in advance at [email protected].

Please also let us know about any dietary requirements at the time of booking and we will endeavour to cater for these.

Get ready for Halloween with Castle pumpkin carving!

Carefully select the perfect pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch, get stuck in scooping out the seeds and create a design from your imagination. The Castle team will then do the hard work carving while you sit back with a hot chocolate!

Whether it’s a spooky face, creature or film character, we’ll help you make a brilliant Halloween decoration – without all the mess!
 

Carving times

Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st October: 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
 

Pumpkin Carving tickets

Whole site admission tickets + £6.50 per pumpkin – includes a hot chocolate for the designer (dairy free available)!

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Additional hot chocolates for adults can be purchased for £2.50 on the day.

Spaces are limited, so book now to guarantee your pumpkins!

Find gifts galore at the Castle Christmas craft fair!

Get all your festive shopping sorted and take in the stunning decorating of the Bishop’s Palace on Saturday 22nd November. Help to support independent craft stallholders and treat yourself and your loved ones to a truly festive evening.

Enjoy live music and a mulled wine or hot chocolate too, included with your ticket!

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust.
 

Session times

3.30pm-6pm
7pm-9.30pm
 

Tickets (sessions must be pre-booked)

£5 – includes a complimentary hot chocolate or mulled wine, if booked in advance (vegan option available).

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Free entry for Carers, under 16s and Guardian Pass holders.

Mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks will also be available to purchase at the bar.

Tuesday 2nd December: 10.30am & 2pm, Friday 5th December: 10.30am, Wednesday 10th December: 6pm, Friday 12th December: 10.30am

Craft a beautiful Christmas wreath under expert guidance!

Make your very own wreath using fresh greenery, added sparkle and your festive flair with the help of Castle Head Gardener, Jane Finch. Ideal for decorating your front door, it will be the envy of your neighbours!

What’s more, enjoy the lovely Christmas decorations of the Bishop’s Palace and relax with a free glass of mulled wine or spiced apple juice and a mince pie after your hard work.

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust. By joining us, you can support our work to inspire visitors with the Castle’s stories and also encourage them to think on the issues of today’s world.
 

Tickets

£30 (includes a mince pie and complimentary mulled wine or spiced apple juice).

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

For an additional £5.00, stay for the day and explore the whole Castle, including Worcestershire County Museum.

All materials are provided. Workshops last approximately 2 hours.

Places are limited. Our wreath making courses are popular every year, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Experience a magical day out with all the family at the Christmas Castle!

A Family Christmas is back! We can't wait to welcome you for festive activities galore on the weekend of 6th-7th December at a Castle transformed by beautiful decorations.

You can look forward to all of this Christmas fun:

• Meet Santa and receive a present (Santa Experience tickets only)
• Enjoy Christmas entertainment with Mother Christmas and Mr Jingle!
• Follow the Festive Fun Family Trail
• Get stuck into Christmas crafts
• Decorate a Christmas biscuit
• Have a go at juggling and balloon modelling with Joey the Juggler!
• Write that all-important letter to Santa in the Victorian schoolroom
• Uncover the secrets of the Castle and see it dressed for the season!

A winter moat walk is a lovely addition to the day - see what wildlife you can spot on your way to the woodland playground! Then, refuel at Hayley’s Kitchen café or settle into the lovely Orchard Picnic Area.

As you head home, why not buy a beautiful Christmas wreath, handmade by our volunteer gardeners?
 

Times

Entertainment and craft activities: 11-4pm.

Santa’s Grotto meetings: 10.50am-4.50pm (10 minutes per session).
 

Tickets

The Santa Experience! (includes a 10-minute exclusive Grotto visit with Santa for your family, a present* for each child and event admission)

Child (0-15yrs): £18.25 
Accompanying Adults: £14.50 (no concession rate available)
Annual Passholders: £10 per child (free for adult passholders)

*Children aged 10+ will receive a chocolate gift (allergy-free if stated during booking).

Event Only Experience

Normal Whole site admission costs

Bring the whole family to a fantastic festive concert!

Castle favourites Worcestershire Winds Concert Band are back for a concert that is guaranteed to get you feeling festive. Sit back and enjoy seasonal favourites in Act One before the main event in Act Two: a special musical performance of the classic tale, The Night Before Christmas.

What’s more, meet Father Christmas during the interval!
 

Performance times

11am
2pm

Tickets

Adult: £10
Child/NUS: £8
Carer: Free (1 Carer ticket per paid ticket – please contact us if you require more)
Under 2: Free (when accompanying a paid ticket, must share a seat with an adult)

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Performance running time: approximately 1 hour, plus an interval when the bar will be open selling drinks and snacks.

Doors open 30 minutes before each performance, when the bar will also be open. Doors to the event itself in the Great Hall open 10 minutes before each performance.

Make a day of it with a visit to Worcestershire County Museum! Tickets available to buy during the booking process.

Please note that this performance includes loud music – feel free to call us on 01299 250797 if you have any concerns that you’d like to discuss.

9.30am on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st and Tuesday 23rd December (approximate times).

Get into the festive feeling with songs, stories and Santa!

Sing along with Santa to all the best family-friendly Christmas tunes, then tuck into a tasty breakfast pastry and hot chocolate (or juice) while Santa brings The Night Before Christmas to life with his wonderful storytelling.

Of course, ’tis the season, so every child gets a gift from the man himself too!

Once you’re sufficiently excited for Christmas, you can explore the festively decorated Castle (keep an eye out for the Secret Room, all the toys, and the dress up station!) and take a stroll around the beautiful winter grounds.
 

Tickets (online booking required)

Whole site admission costs, plus an additional £7 per Sing Along child (includes a drink, a pastry, a present and the Christmas trail) – must be pre-booked online.

Got a Worcestershire Resident or Guardian Pass? Just pay the £7 per Sing Along child!

Sessions last approximately 1 hour. Doors open 20 minutes before each session.

Please note for tickets bought later than 24 hours before the session, we cannot guarantee allergies or dietary requirements can be catered for.

Historic Houses Member passes are not valid for this event.

1pm on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st and Tuesday 23rd December (approximate times).

Join Santa for traditional party games and gather round for a special Christmas story…

It’s time for a festive family celebration at the Castle! Have a blast playing party games with other youngsters and enjoy Santa reading a beloved Christmas tale in the way only the man himself can.

Each child receives a present from Santa, and it wouldn’t be a party without jelly and ice cream! Feel free to come dressed to impress in your Christmas best too as you discover the wonders of the festive Castle.
 

Tickets (online booking required)

Whole site admission costs, plus £7 per child (includes a present, hot chocolate or juice, jelly and ice cream, and the Christmas trail).

Got a Worcestershire Resident or Guardian Pass? Just pay the £7 per Party with Santa child!

Sessions last approximately 1 hour. Doors open 20 minutes before each session.

Please note for tickets bought later than 24 hours before the session, we cannot guarantee allergies or dietary requirements can be catered for.

Historic Houses Member passes are not valid for this event.

After a sell-out event last year, Santa Paws returns!

Christmas isn’t just for humans! What could be cuter than your furry friend meeting Santa? Each pet receives a treat, as well as a special gift to open on Christmas Day – and of course, the chance to take a photo or two with Santa!

Not just for dogs – from curious cats to rambunctious rabbits, we’d love to see any furry pet that you’d like to bring along.

Afterwards, why not enjoy a winter stroll through the grounds, and then head into the Castle for a visit with your human companions?

This is a fundraising event for Hartlebury Castle Trust.
 

Session times

Every 10 minutes from 10am-12pm and 12.40pm-4pm (sessions also last approximately 10 minutes).
 

Tickets (must be pre-booked online)

Pet: £6.50 (includes a gift and a treat)
Adult: £5
Child: £4
Carer: Free (1 Carer ticket per paid human ticket – please contact us if you require more)

Got a Worcestershire Resident or Guardian Pass? Just pay the £6.50 per pet!

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

Tickets include entry to the Grounds and the Bishop’s Palace. Please note that pets are not allowed inside the Bishop’s Palace. Worcestershire County Museum is closed on this day.

Humans do not need to purchase the £6.50 Santa Paws ticket for themselves.

Humans can pre-order a hot chocolate and pastry for an extra £4.50.

Historic Houses Member passes are not valid for this event.

You are welcome to explore the grounds before or after your Santa Paws session. However, please note that the grounds close at 4pm – if you have booked a later session and would like to enjoy a walk, please do so before meeting Santa.