Harvington Hall

Harvington Hall is a moated Elizabethan manor house near Kidderminster in Worcestershire, set in the village of Harvington within the parish of Chaddesley Corbett. It holds Grade I status, the highest level of protection on the National Heritage List for England, and is best known for its hiding places for Catholic priests and its sixteenth-century wall paintings.

Why visit Harvington Hall?

Few houses in England show so vividly what life was like for persecuted Catholics. When celebrating Mass could bring severe penalties, the owners concealed priests in purpose-built hides. Here you can peer into those cramped, dark spaces yourself. The Hall is also a quiet, human-scale museum, without the crowds of the country's biggest stately homes.

What will you see?

Priest holes. The house contains seven hiding places tucked into fireplaces, attics and staircases. Several are credited to Nicholas Owen, the celebrated craftsman who built such hides across the country. On a guided tour you learn how the concealed mechanisms worked and why searchers so often failed to find them.

Wall paintings. The Elizabethan decorations lay hidden beneath whitewash for generations and were only rediscovered in 1936. They have been conserved in recent years. Very few English houses preserve so much original decoration from this period.

Moat and island. The Hall stands on an island surrounded by water. On the island you will also find a Georgian chapel, a calm spot to pause after exploring the interiors.

Gardens and coffee shop. Gardens surround the house and a coffee shop operates on site. Entry to both the coffee shop and the gardens is free.

What is the building's history?

For centuries the Hall served Catholic families. In the nineteenth century it was stripped of its contents and left to decline. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham bought it in 1923, restored it and still owns it today. The National Trust holds covenants over the surrounding land, but it does not own the house.

When should you go and what does it cost?

According to the official website for the 2026 season, the Hall is open Wednesday to Sunday from 14 February to 1 November, 10.30am to 4pm. From 7 November to 20 December it opens on Saturdays and Sundays only. During school holidays the Hall, coffee shop and gardens are open every day, and it opens on bank holiday Mondays. It is closed on Good Friday. An adult ticket costs £13.50. Guided tours last roughly an hour and a quarter and run at set times at weekends. Check hours and prices before you travel, as they change.

How do you get there?

The Hall lies in the countryside between Kidderminster and Bromsgrove, near Wyre Forest. Driving is the easiest option, and it takes around a quarter of an hour from Kidderminster. If you have more time, combine the visit with the village of Chaddesley Corbett and a walk through the surrounding fields.

Frequently asked questions

How many priest holes are there at Harvington Hall?

Seven, hidden in fireplaces, attics and staircases. Several were made by Nicholas Owen.

Does the National Trust own the Hall?

No. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham owns it. The Trust only holds covenants over nearby land.

How long should you allow for a visit?

The guided tour takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Add time for the gardens, chapel and coffee shop and you have half a day.

Do you pay to enter the gardens and coffee shop?

No, both are free to enter. Only the ticket for touring the house is charged.