Harvington Hall

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

We sure did 😊

🖌️ 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 😊

Buy Harvington History Festival 2025 Tickets online - Harvington Hall Harvington History Festival 2025

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 😊