Worcester Old Palace Open Day
The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 2JE
The Old Palace has been, on and off, the residence of the bishops of Worcester from the 13th century, though there is evidence of early buildings dating back to the time of Bishop Wulfstan, founder of Worcester Cathedral (d. 1095). Come and explore the medieval hall known as the Abbot's kitchen, with it's beautiful ceiling, the small chapel, and the vast Great Hall. You will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the River Severn through the magnificent west window, and, weather permitting, explore the gardens along the river bank.
In the 19th century the bishop's residence moved completely to Hartlebury, and for a time the Palace became the home for the Deans of Worcester, until the outbreak of World War II. The Palace has gone through many changes and alterations but retains interesting architectural features, from medieval roof carvings through to the Baroque East Front. Queen Elizabeth stayed here during her visit to Worcester in 1675, as did George III and Queen Charlotte during their visit to the 1788 Three Choir's Festival.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- Open House, 10am-4pm
Location & directions
The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 2JE
- Directions:
- Entrance to the Old Palace is off Deansway, just around the corner from Worcester Cathedral. The gardens and path between the Cathedral and Old Palace will be open during the day, providing access from the Cathedral's North Porch to the Palace's entrance.
- Contact on day:
- Ros Gammie
- Telephone number:
- +441905676601
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The Old Palace is a historic building with various steps and staircases. There is a lift suitable for small, non-motorised wheelchairs, which must be operated with staff supervision. Unfortunately, due to the ancient nature of the building some areas are inaccessible to those in a wheelchair. For more information on access, please do contact us at [email protected] and we are happy to discuss further. Guide/assistance dogs only.
Additional information
This is an open house event, where visitors can explore certain areas of the Palace and grounds. There will be no formal tours, though there will be staff and volunteers on hand to help answer any questions. There will be an opportunity to purchase refreshments on site. For more information, please email [email protected]
