News release
For Immediate Release
Monday 3 October 2022
Experience one of Worcester’s oldest buildings by torchlight this autumn as The Commandery’s ever-popular after-dark tours return.
Discover The Commandery’s ghostly secrets and hear about strange sightings as you uncover the history of the building in a guided tour with a Halloween twist. Be enthralled – and perhaps a little spooked – by stories collated from previous visitors, staff, and volunteers. Keep your eyes peeled and make up your own mind about the paranormal activities said to have taken place over the years.
The after-dark tours are a special opportunity to experience this unique building by night. Once a monastic hospital – built on the site of a Saxon chapel – and later Royalist headquarters in the English Civil War, The Commandery holds a long and fascinating history with plenty of tales to tell…
Tours are running on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through October: Tuesday 11, Thursday 13, Tuesday 18, Thursday 20, and Tuesday 25 October at both 6.30 and 8.30pm. There is an accessible tour on Thursday 20 October at 5.30pm, which allows for extra time to move around the building. The tours are all 16+, except for an under-16s tour during the half-term holiday at 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 October.
£14 per person; booking essential. Tours take approximately 1 hour.
Families visiting in the October half-term holiday can follow a trail of lit-up jars the building with the Museum Monster Hunt, and book sessions in the Spooky Science Lab.
“If you’ve enjoyed The Commandery in the daytime, you’ll find it’s even more special – and spooky – by night. There’s a lot of fun for families this half-term holiday too.”
– Helen Manning, Events and Activities Coordinator at The Commandery.
Please see the website for full details and to book: museumsworcestershire.org.uk/events/after-dark
ENDS
Notes to editors
Image attached shows: The Commandery on a misty day.
Usual opening hours
The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester is open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, and Sundays, 11am – 3pm.
Events listings
After-dark Tours
Various dates and times in October at The Commandery.
Are you ready to explore one of the oldest buildings in Worcester by torchlight this October?
The Commandery is once again opening its gates on autumn nights for you to discover its ghostly secrets. Hear about strange sightings and mysterious rumours as you uncover the history of the building in a guided tour with a Halloween twist.
Keep your eyes peeled and make up your own mind about the paranormal activities said to have taken place over the years…
£14 per person; booking essential. Tours take approximately 1 hour.
Dates and times
Tuesday 11 October 6.30 and 8pm 16+
Thursday 13 October 6.30 and 8pm 16+
Tuesday 18 October 6.30 and 8pm 16+
Thursday 20 October 5.30 and 8pm 16+; accessible tour at 5.30pm*
Tuesday 25 October 6.30 and 8pm Under-16s tour at 6.30pm**; 16+ at 8pm
*Accessible tour: Thursday 20 October, 5.30 – 7.30pm. This tour allows for extra time to move around the building. Lifts are available. The tour itself is the same.
**Under-16s tour: Tuesday 25 October, 6.30 – 7.30pm. An accompanying adult ticket must be purchased.
Family activities
Spooky Science Lab
Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26, and Thursday 27 October at The Commandery.
From fizzing pumpkins to ghostly biscuits – it’s a hands-on Halloween in the museum lab this October half term! See what you can create with playdoh, and what mysterious things can you find in the sensory trays?
Every session ends with a story, drink and a biscuit. Usual admission + £5 per child. Admission to The Commandery can be paid for on arrival. Parents need to stay throughout.
Museum Monster Hunt
Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October at The Commandery.
Oh no – a scatty scientist has lost his monster body parts around The Commandery! Explore the building this October half-term holiday with this spooky family trail. Admission + £2 per child; no need to book.
For more information or further images please contact Alice Benbow, Museums Marketing Officer: alice.benbow@worcester.gov.uk / 01905 361828.