News release | For Immediate Release
Friday 16 May 2025
Step back in time to 1660 as history is brought to life with the sights and sounds of Oak Apple Day as Worcester Reenactors take over The Commandery!
The day – also known as Pinch-bum Day, Shick Shack Day, or Bumping Day – marks the historic moment when King Charles II ascended the throne following the English Civil War. Where better to commemorate this anniversary than at The Commandery, the Royalist Headquarters in the final battle of the Civil War right here in Worcester?
Visitors can watch dramatic musket firing demonstrations in the gardens and take part in interactive pike and cannon drills that allow children and grown-ups alike to step into the role of a Civil War soldier. The brilliant Worcester Reenactors will transport visitors back to the 17th century with living history demonstrations and insightful talks about Oak Apple Day and the English Civil War.
Helen Manning, Events and Activities Coordinator at The Commandery, says: “The Commandery is one of the few places in the UK to still celebrate Oak Apple Day. It makes for a great family day out and a lovely opportunity for children to get hands-on as they discover Worcester’s rich history.”
Pop into Little Al’s Kitchen at The Commandery café to refuel through the day or bring along a picnic to enjoy in the gardens.
General admission to The Commandery applies; there is no advance booking required for Oak Apple Day, which takes place from 10am – 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May. There is free admission to those with a season or Worcester Residents’ pass to The Commandery; tickets can be upgraded on the day.
Oak Apple Day is followed by more interactive history. Children can follow in the footsteps of real Civil War soldiers over the May half-term holiday; when they can take part in a cannon drill, and even learn to wield a pike in the gardens. Join soldier school sessions from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 May from 10.30 – 11.30am. General admission + £4 per child. There’s no need to book – visitors can just turn up and get stuck in.
For further information, please visit museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Images attached show:
- A musket firing demonstration in The Commandery gardens
- A visitor getting hands-on with history at The Commandery
Opening hours
The Commandery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm, and Sundays from 10am – 3pm. On bank holidays, it is open from 10am – 4pm.
Events listings
Oak Apple Day | Bank Holiday Monday 26 May, 10am – 4pm.
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 ascended 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
- Living history camps to explore
- 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
- Wonderful refreshments available at Little Al’s Kitchen at The Commandery
Plan your visit at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
General admission applies; free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass to The Commandery.
Civil War Soldier School | Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 May, 10.30 – 11.30am.
What was life like for a Civil War soldier? Follow in their footsteps at The Commandery, which was the Royalist battle headquarters in the English Civil War in 1651…
Have a go at pike and cannon drills, play games soldiers would have played, and see if you can identify the smells of the battlefield!
Plan your visit at museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
£4 + general admission; free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass to The Commandery.
What is Oak Apple Day?
The Commandery is one of the only places in the UK to still celebrate Oak Apple Day, or Restoration Day. It’s also been known as Pinch-bum Day, Shick Shack Day, and Bumping Day! Traditionally, those not wearing a sprig of oak on this day could get thrashed with nettles.
This spring tradition marks the anniversary of the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 following the English Civil War – and has a special connection to the city of Worcester, the scene of the deciding battle in 1651.
Nine years after Charles II hid from Parliamentarian troops in an oak tree following the loss of his Royalist cause at the Battle of Worcester, he returned to the throne on his thirtieth birthday, 29 May 1660 – which became the annual celebration of Oak Apple Day.
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.