What to see at the County Museum at Hartlebury

History

Whether you are looking for a trip down memory lane, a chance to learn something new or simply a peaceful stroll through nature, Worcestershire County Museum has it all.

The County Museum at Hartlebury, housed in the former home of the Bishops of Worcester, is a fascinating place to explore.  In the museum galleries you can discover social history, toys through time, travel & transport and the intriguing story of Worcestershire’s past. Visitors can also see room sets such as the schoolroom and scullery, which are regularly brought to life by visiting schoolchildren and period rooms that focus on the Victorian and Civil War eras.

Highlights and County Treasures

The County Museum main galleries include collections ranging from children’s toys, archaeology and costume to craft work by the Bromsgrove Guild. Find out more about some of the exhibitions that you will find within the museum by choosing one of the highlights below.

• Childhood Treasures
• Footsteps Through Life
• From Plough to Plate
• Historic Rooms Sets
• On Ancient Tracks
• Springs, Spas and Holidays
• Travel and Transport
• Victorian Schoolroom and Scullery

And don’t forget to let us know about your favourite objects from the museum with the #CountyTreasures hashtag.

Exhibitions

Each year we will be changing and re-displaying our permanent exhibitions and bringing more objects out of our stores so there will always be something new for you to discover! We also hold temporary exhibitions each year which allow us to explore new themes and exhibit objects not usually on display.

Current exhibitions to explore:

• Captivating Costume: Three Centuries of Fashion
• Lavish Living: Worcestershire in the 1950s

History

Worcestershire County Museum is housed in the servants’ quarters of Hartlebury Castle, home to the Bishop of Worcester since the 16th century. The site has been owned by the Church since 850AD and a manor house was built here as early as the 13th century.

Find out more about the history of Hartlebury Castle.

Outside the Museum

Within the grounds of the Castle you can also visit the Cider Mill and the Transport Gallery housing a fascinating array of vehicles including a fire engine, hansom cab, bicycles, carts and a large collection of beautifully decorated Gypsy caravans.

A fantastic gift shop, picnic areas and nature reserve all add up to a great day out.

Download our Visitor Map which shows you the various areas within the Museum as well as giving you a short history of the site.