What's New

Museum Exhibitions Explore the Wonders of Worcestershire

This summer sees the opening of the County Museum’s new permanent exhibitions inside Hartlebury Castle. On 31 July the museum will open two new interactive, informative and visitor friendly display areas and on launch day visitors to the museum will be able to get in half price.

The first of the new displays, ‘Worcestershire Source’, focuses on the natural features and geology of our region. Visitors will be able to use the interactive map to locate areas of geological significance and unlock different boxes to discover more about the wonders of our region.

The second display, ‘Springs, Spas and Holidays’, celebrates how Worcestershire’s water has helped establish the county as an important holiday destination. The display explores the many uses of the county’s water including the Malvern spring waters, Victorian spa holidays, the Droitwich brine baths and the Stourport canal. Visitors can have a go at sitting in a replica brine bath, learn more about how Victorians travelled around and see real travelling costume from the era.

Rachel Robinson, Visitor Services Officer for Worcestershire County Council, said: "We've been working hard to update our museum displays and produce something that can tell our visitors more about our county and how important Worcestershire was in the development of things that were new concepts not so long ago, for example the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the benefits of travel and holidays. The new displays are fun and interactive and we hope people will really enjoy visiting them."

(July 09)

Unique Chance to Experience the Real Hartlebury Castle

Worcestershire County Council is encouraging residents to visit the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle following the news that Church Commission has granted special permission for the magnificent State Rooms to be re-opened to the public throughout July and August.

The State Rooms form the middle part of the building between what used to be the Bishop's private living quarters and the servants wing (now the home of the County Museum).The elegant Georgian Saloon and magnificent Medieval Great Hall have been used to receive important guests through the centuries,including Queen ElizabethI,

King George III andmore recently Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. Troops were also garrisoned within the rooms to hold the castle for King Charles during the Civil Wars.

Visitors will experience the full splendour of this important historic building as they walk around the 18th Century carriage circle and for the first time ever the Castle’s impressive Chapel will also be open to museum visitors. The Chapel, where Bishops of Worcester have privately worshipped since the 13th century, has a stunning 18th century gothic style interior with a plaster fan vaulted ceiling based on that of Westminster Abbey.

The State Rooms will be open during museum hours (Tuesdays-Sundays) and admission is included in the price of a museum ticket.

(June 09)

Museum receives award recognition

County Museum staff and volunteers are celebrating after being handed a prestigious national award recognising their excellent work.

The museum is amongst the first in Worcestershire to be awarded 'Accreditation' standard by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.  The award is a nationally recognised standard of excellence for museums and is regarded as one of the most innovative and effective developments in the museums sector. It has led the way in raising museum standards in the UK and has been used as a model and source of inspiration for museums overseas.

Robin Hill, The County Council's County Museum's Officer, said: "It is very welcoming and reassuring to be granted 'Accreditation' for the County Museum service. We are all very proud.  It confirms the good practice and high levels of service that we strive to deliver to all of our users and it's a positive reflection on both the team based at Hartlebury and the County Council."

(April 2009)

What is 2009 bringing?

We re-opened to the public on Tuesday 6^th January – the first time the museum has ever been open in January!  Staff are now working hard behind the scenes on changing the ground floor of the museum into a much more interactive, informative and visitor friendly display area focussing on the wonders of Worcestershire and the importance of water to the region. The new exhibition, entitled 'Springs, Spas and Holidays' will be opening in the summer.

We also have a brand new events programme (see the Events page) and two new temporary exhibitions celebrating Music Hall legend Vesta Tilley (March-August) and the centenary of the Girl Guide movement (September-November).

Also new for 2009 are our Annual Passes.  Just £28 for a family and £12 for an individual will get you free admission to the County Museum for twelve months!  The family pass also includes participation in children's activties during school holidays. If you would like to purchase an Annual Pass please download the application form  (42.00 KB).  

(January 2009)

County Museum calls for residents to help shape virtual exhibition

Worcestershire County Council's County Museum is encouraging members of the public to have a say in what treasures will appear in its new virtual exhibition, U-Choose@Hartlebury. The County Museum in Hartlebury wants people to come forward and choose an item from the museum that they would like to see in the virtual exhibition within its section on the County Council's website, www.worcestershire.gov.uk/museum. There is an array of artefacts at the museum that range from agricultural items, to 19th Century costumes, from gypsy caravans to a rare Castle III car made in Kidderminster that people can choose to place on the website. Sue Pope, Worcestershire County Council’s Education and Outreach Officer at the County Museum, said: U-Choose@Hartlebury is a unique opportunity for people to choose artefacts that they want to see on our new virtual exhibition website. The County Museum offers a vast array of artefacts that the public can view at the Museum and then online. The website will offer space for thoughts about the online collection and individual pieces. People can pick their favourite piece of history by visiting the museum or by logging on to our website.”

Residents who are keen to be a part of the virtual exhibition can visit the museum, Tuesday to Friday from 10am until 5pm and at weekends and Bank Holidays from 11am until 5pm, to choose an artefact. Admission to the museum costs £4 adults, £2 children and concessions and £10 family ticket (two adults and two children). Residents can also email Sue Pope at spope@worcestershire.gov.uk with any ideas or images of what they would like to see appear in the virtual exhibition. Those wanting more information about the museum or the exhibition should call call Sue Pope on 01299 250416.

(2008)

Restoration Projects

Esmeralda is our most recent addition to the Gypsy caravans, or Vardos, at Hartlebury. She came from the family of the author Anthony Sampson. Esmeralda was originally built in 1909. Her construction is unusual with having a bow top and side windows. She is also particularly large and we think that the wheels come from a pair of recycled carriage axles. We believe that Esmeralda was named after Esmeralda Locke, the daughter of well-known Welsh Gypsy family. This girl was something of a free-spirit. She married the town clerk of Bridgnorth when she was young, but ran away with Gypsy Lore Society member Francis Groome. She could not settle with Francis either and left him to persue the wild, free, wandering Romany life as a dancer and singer.

(2008)