News release
For Immediate Release
Monday 18 September 2023
Discover the ghostly secrets of one of Worcester’s oldest buildings as After-dark Tours return to The Commandery this October.
Hear tales of grisly historic happenings, mysterious footsteps and strange sightings reported by visitors, staff, and volunteers over the years. This guided tour with a Halloween twist takes you through The Commandery by torchlight – and into parts of the building which are off the usual visitor path.
Keep your eyes – and ears – peeled and make up your own mind about the paranormal activities said to have taken place on the site. Once a monastic hospital – built on the site of a Saxon chapel – and later Royalist headquarters in the Battle of Worcester – the final battle of the English Civil War in 1651 – The Commandery has a long and fascinating history with plenty of tales to tell…
Tours take place during evenings in October at 6.30 and 8pm: Tuesday 17, Thursday 19, Tuesday 24, Thursday 26, and Thursday 31 October. On Halloween night, there is an additional late-night tour for extra spookiness at 9.30pm.
£14 per person; booking is essential at museumsworcestershire.org.uk. The tours take approximately 1 hour.
“After-dark Tours are a highlight in The Commandery’s calendar and something we look forward to every year – the tours are booking up for 2023 already, so we aren’t the only ones feeling this way! It’s a fun and unique way to experience Worcester’s history,” Helen Manning, Events and Activities Coordinator at The Commandery.
Visitors may wish to check out the nightlife on the historic Friar Street in Worcester, a short way from The Commandery, before or after the tour. The restaurants and bars in beautiful timber buildings will set the tone perfectly for a unique evening out.
Younger members of the family can enjoy spooky October half-term holiday sessions as The Commandery becomes a “haunted house”! In these fun mornings, children can decorate eyeball biscuits, make dancing ghosts and create spooky crafts. There’ll also be a trail which visitors can follow to explore all the nooks and crannies of the building. Every session includes a story, drink and a biscuit, and is bookable online.
Please see the website for full details and to book: museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Image attached shows: the oriel window in the medieval Great Hall at The Commandery
Usual opening hours
The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester is open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, and Sundays, 11am – 3pm. Closed Mondays.
Events listings
After-dark Tours
Various dates and times in October | The Commandery
After-dark tours are back at The Commandery for 2023!
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 – if you’re brave enough!
| DATES | TOUR TIMES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 17 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Thursday 19 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Tuesday 24 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Thursday 26 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Tuesday 31 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | 9.30pm |
| Thursday 2 November (extra date!) | 6.30pm | 8pm |
Tours take approximately 1 hour and are for ages 14+.
£14 per person. Book online.
Haunted House family mornings
Enjoy a spooky October half-term holiday in Worcester…
Decorate eyeball biscuits, make dancing ghosts and create spooky crafts – The Commandery’s becoming a haunted house this October!
There’ll also be a haunted house trail which you can follow and explore all the nooks and crannies of The Commandery.
Every session includes a story, drink, and a biscuit. Aimed at children from pre-school ages to 10 years. Please book here.
Admission info
The family morning is £5 per child. General admission also applies and can be paid for on arrival or booked online.
You can get free admission to The Commandery if you have a season or Worcester Residents’ pass (£5 for crafts still applies).
For more information or further images please contact Alice Benbow, Museums Marketing Officer: alice.benbow@worcester.gov.uk / 01905 361828.