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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/
X-WR-CALNAME:Museums Worcestershire
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CLASS:PUBLIC
UID:MEC-744fdcec411a347b4504b01683c985f0@museumsworcestershire.org.uk
DTSTART:20260525T090000Z
DTEND:20260525T150000Z
DTSTAMP:20260224T145500Z
CREATED:20260224
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422
PRIORITY:5
SEQUENCE:2
TRANSP:OPAQUE
SUMMARY:Oak Apple Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, 10am – 4pm | The Commandery\nOak Apple Day returns to The Commandery! 🌳\nStep 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.\nOak Apple Day marks the historic moment when King Charles II returned to the throne following the English Civil War.\nWhere better to commemorate this historic moment than at The Commandery, the Royalist Headquarters in the final battle of the Civil War?\nDelve into an exciting day of living history for all the family – there’ll be:\n\nFantastic reenactors to encounter as you make your way around The Commandery\nMusket firing in the gardens\nPike and cannon drills for children (and grown-ups!) to get hands-on with\nHistory talks about Oak Apple Day and the English Civil War from Worcester Reenactors and The Battle of Worcester Society\nWonderful refreshments available at Little Al’s Kitchen at The Commandery\n\nEnjoy 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).\nOak Apple Day family craft\nOak Apple Day 2026 is part of a commemorative programme of events for the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Worcester, 1651.\nPlan your visit\nGeneral admission applies (+ £3.50 for the carriage trail and craft activities); free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass. Find out more. ( https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/museums/the-commandery/visit-the-commandery/ )\nBook day tickets to The Commandery. Advance booking is not essential, you can just turn up, pay in the shop, and get stuck in!\n\nWhat is Oak Apple Day? \nThe 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?\nOak 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.\nBut where did this story begin?\nA Country Divided\nIn 1642, England was torn apart by war.\nParliament wanted a say in how the country was run.\nKing Charles I believed he should rule without limits.\nThis led to the English Civil War.\nAfter 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.\nA Final Fight for Power\nAfter Charles I was executed, his son, Charles II, tried to win back the throne.\nIn 1651, he gathered support and marched to England.\nRoyalists vs Parliamentarians… once again!\nThe Battle of Worcester – 1651\nThis was the final battle of the English Civil Wars.\nCharles II marched south from Scotland to try and take back the throne.\nBut Cromwell’s Parliamentarian army moved to stop him.\nThe Commandery served as the Royalist headquarters during the battle.\nDefeat and Escape\nThe Royalists were outnumbered and defeated at Worcester.\nAs 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.\nSomehow, he escaped capture.\nAfter six weeks on the run, he made it safely to France.\nThe Return of the King\nIn 1660, Charles II became king.\nAfter years in exile, Charles II was invited back to England. Cromwell’s rule had collapsed, and people wanted the monarchy restored.\nThe oak leaf became a symbol of loyalty to the king.\nHis birthday, May 29th, became a day of national celebration – also known as Oak Apple Day!\nOn Oak Apple Day, people would:\n\nShow support for the restored monarchy\nCelebrate with parties and dancing\nWear sprigs of oak leaves\n\nNot wearing oak leaves?\nYou might have faced a pinch… or even been stung with nettles!\n375 Years Later\nWorcester played an important role in this story.\nJoin 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.\nPlan your visit to The Commandery ( https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/museums/the-commandery/ ) and see what you can tick off the Top 10 Highlights ( https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/museums/the-commandery/things-to-do/ ) list!\n \n \n \n \n \n \n
URL:https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/events/oak-apple-day-2026/
ORGANIZER;CN=The Commandery:MAILTO:commandery@museumsworcestershire.org.uk
CATEGORIES:2026,The Commandery
LOCATION:The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester, WR1 2HU
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Oak-Apple-Day-26.png
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