Oak Apple Day 2026

Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, 10am – 4pm | The Commandery

Oak Apple Day returns to The Commandery! 🌳

Step back in time to 1660 and celebrate the restoration of the crown on Bank Holiday Monday in a fantastic day bringing history to life in Worcester.

Oak Apple Day marks the historic moment when King Charles II returned to the throne following the English Civil War.

Where better to commemorate this historic moment than at The Commandery, the Royalist Headquarters in the final battle of the Civil War?

Delve into an exciting day of living history for all the family – there’ll be:

• Fantastic reenactors to encounter as you make your way around The Commandery
• Musket firing in the gardens
• Pike and cannon drills for children (and grown-ups!) to get hands-on with
• History talks about Oak Apple Day and the English Civil War from Worcester Reenactors and The Battle of Worcester Society
• Wonderful refreshments available at Little Al’s Kitchen at The Commandery

Enjoy fun family activities: can you find all of the beautifully decorated royal carriages around the building? Then, create your own Oak Apple mobile in the craft room (general admission + £3.50 for trail and activities).

Oak Apple Day family craft

Oak Apple Day 2026 is part of a commemorative programme of events for the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Worcester, 1651.

Plan your visit

General admission applies (+ £3.50 for the carriage trail and craft activities); free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass. Find out more.

Book day tickets to The Commandery. Advance booking is not essential, you can just turn up, pay in the shop, and get stuck in!

What is Oak Apple Day? 

The Commandery is one of the few places in England where Oak Apple Day is still celebrated. But what does it mean, and why does it matter here in Worcester?

Oak Apple Day celebrates the return of the monarchy. In 1660, Charles II came back to the throne after years of civil war and republican rule. Across England, people celebrated the end of Cromwell’s rule and the return of the king.

But where did this story begin?

A Country Divided

In 1642, England was torn apart by war.
Parliament wanted a say in how the country was run.
King Charles I believed he should rule without limits.

This led to the English Civil War.

After years of fighting, Parliament won. In 1649, Charles I was executed – something never done before to an English king. England became a republic, led by Oliver Cromwell.

A Final Fight for Power

After Charles I was executed, his son, Charles II, tried to win back the throne.

In 1651, he gathered support and marched to England.
Royalists vs Parliamentarians… once again!

The Battle of Worcester – 1651

This was the final battle of the English Civil Wars.

Charles II marched south from Scotland to try and take back the throne.
But Cromwell’s Parliamentarian army moved to stop him.

The Commandery served as the Royalist headquarters during the battle.

Defeat and Escape

The Royalists were outnumbered and defeated at Worcester.

As Parliamentarian soldiers closed in, Charles II was forced to flee for his life. The story goes that he disguised himself and slipped out of the city. He later hid in an oak tree at Boscobel House as soldiers searched below.

Somehow, he escaped capture.

After six weeks on the run, he made it safely to France.

The Return of the King

In 1660, Charles II became king.

After years in exile, Charles II was invited back to England. Cromwell’s rule had collapsed, and people wanted the monarchy restored.

The oak leaf became a symbol of loyalty to the king.
His birthday, May 29th, became a day of national celebration – also known as Oak Apple Day!

On Oak Apple Day, people would:

• Show support for the restored monarchy
• Celebrate with parties and dancing
• Wear sprigs of oak leaves

Not wearing oak leaves?
You might have faced a pinch… or even been stung with nettles!

375 Years Later

Worcester played an important role in this story.

Join us this year on 25th May for living history camps, musket and cannon demonstrations, talks about the Civil War and Restoration, and Civil War re-enactors.

Plan your visit to The Commandery and see what you can tick off the Top 10 Highlights list!