News release

For Immediate Release

Wednesday 19 November

Bring the whole family for a festive weekend at Hartlebury Castle this December.

Jampacked with fun activities, A Family Christmas is the perfect time to create magical memories. The Castle will be alive with seasonal music and enchanting decorations, and Mother Christmas will be waiting to greet families throughout the event on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December.

Explore the Castle and Museum to discover all the hidden Nutcracker Soldiers with their stockings! Families can also get stuck into Christmassy crafts and entertainment including biscuit decorating and circus skills. The festively decorated Victorian schoolroom will be ready and waiting for children to write those all-important letters to Father Christmas.

A winter walk around the historic moat is a lovely addition to the day; stop off at the bird hide to see what wildlife can be spotted on the way to the fantastic woodland playground. Refuel with a coffee, hot chocolate and homemade food at Hayley’s Kitchen café or settle into the lovely Orchard Picnic Area which has accessible benches.

Take some nature home as Hartlebury Castle’s volunteer gardeners have been busy making beautiful wreaths available to purchase to adorn your door this Christmas.

“We can’t wait to welcome back families for festive celebrations this December! It’s a magical time of year to visit the Castle and County Museum and there’s so much for children to enjoy over the weekend,” Pippa Ashmore, Events and Visitor Services Coordinator at Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle.

At Hartlebury Castle, visitors can discover the story of Worcestershire at the County Museum and explore the place the Bishops of Worcester called home for 1,000 years. Be immersed in history and nature in a great day out for all the family. Hartlebury Castle is signposted off the A449 just south of Kidderminster.

Visitors can book in advance and can plan their visit on Hartlebury Castle’s website: hartleburycastle.com.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Image attached shows:

  1. A family with Father Christmas
  2. A nutcracker soldier in the blacksmithing forge

Opening hours

Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 5pm. Weekends & Bank Holidays: 11am – 5pm.

Hartlebury Castle is open until Sunday 22 December inclusive (closed Mondays). It is then closed from Monday 23 December until Friday 31 January inclusive. Reopens Saturday 1 February 2025.

For more information or further images please contact Alice Benbow, Museums Marketing Officer: alice.benbow@worcester.gov.uk / 01905 361828.