News release
For Immediate Release
Tuesday 30 January 2024
Living History weekend returns to The Commandery, Worcester
The Commandery’s biggest weekend of the year is back on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February 2024! Encounter characters from centuries past throughout the building and gardens, discover living history encampments, and see military displays in action at this exciting two-day event.
‘From Twang to Bang’ – from bows and arrows to gunfire – will see historic firing demonstrations by Worcester Reenactors take place in the walled garden. Head into the outer garden to see reenactors take to horseback in cavalry displays – a brilliant new addition this year. Medieval music and Tudor-style dancing will fill the medieval Great Hall, and metalworkers and willow weavers will demonstrate their crafts.
Organised in partnership with the Worcester Re-enactors, the event is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to encounter reenactors throughout the beautiful Grade-1 listed building and grounds, making for an exciting day out for the whole family. Explore a different period of history – and make a new memory – around every corner.
The Commandery is one of Worcester’s oldest and most remarkable buildings, well-known for being the Royalist Headquarters during the Battle of Worcester in 1651, making it the perfect place to be immersed in history brought to life.
Helen Manning, Events and Activities Coordinator at The Commandery, says: “It’s fantastic that Living History falls in the half-term holiday this year – we can’t wait to see lots of families at The Commandery enjoying all the history on display.”
The canal-side independent café, Commandery Coffee, will be open and offering fantastic homemade cakes and toasties alongside a variety of drinks. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, making it the perfect place for all to refuel during an adventurous day out.
There is no booking required for Living History at The Commandery and usual entry admission applies. There is free admission to those with a season or Worcester Residents’ pass to The Commandery. For further information, please visit museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Images attached show:
- A living history event at The Commandery
Event listing
Living History at The Commandery
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February 2024
Come face to face with the past at The Commandery’s biggest weekend of the year! Explore living history encampments and watch marvellous military displays at Worcester’s historic Commandery. The site will be alive with performances by musicians and dancers, and you can learn about traditional crafts too.
Encounter reenactors throughout the beautiful Grade-1 listed building and gardens, where they’ll be demonstrating and displaying historical weaponry. There will be a full schedule of timed displays and drills throughout the day.
Living History 2024 is organised in partnership with The Worcester Re-enactors.
Admission info
Usual admission applies; free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass.
Booking in advance is available but is not essential, you can just turn up and enjoy!
Opening hours
The Commandery is usually open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm, and Sundays, 10am – 3pm (10am – 4pm on Sunday 18 February for the Living History weekend).
The Commandery’s History
The Commandery was founded as a monastic hospital around 1085 by Saint Wulfstan, then Bishop of Worcester, to serve the needs of travellers outside the city walls and beautiful wall paintings from the 1500s can be seen on the walls of The Commandery today.
Most of the building dates form the late fifteenth century and is of timber framed construction. The Commandery was one of the last monastic institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. In 1651 Charles II marched into Worcester and set up his Headquarters in the city, with the commander-in-chief the Duke of Hamilton billeted at The Commandery.
The building has also been a family home, a school for the blind, and a printing works.
For more information or further images please contact Alice Benbow, Museums Marketing Officer: alice.benbow@worcester.gov.uk / 01905 361828.