Moseley Old Hall

Moseley Old Hall is an Elizabethan house in Fordhouses, just north of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire. It is a Grade II* listed building, cared for today by the National Trust, and it is best known as one of the places where Charles II hid after losing the Battle of Worcester.

What is Moseley Old Hall?

The house dates from around 1600 and stayed with the Whitgreave family and their descendants until 1925. Over the centuries the original Elizabethan windows were replaced and the timber-and-daub walls were encased in brick, so the exterior looks plainer than its age suggests.

Why did a king hide here?

In the early hours of 8 September 1651, Charles II, pursued by Parliamentary troops, arrived at the hall. He was received by the owner Thomas Whitgreave and a Catholic priest, Father John Huddleston, who later helped arrange the king's escape to France. When soldiers came to the house, Charles took shelter in a priest hole reached through a trapdoor beneath a wardrobe beside the fireplace.

What can you see today?

• The King's Room, with a four-poster bed traditionally said to be the one Charles slept in.
• The priest hole, entered through the floor of the wardrobe.
• A recreated 17th-century-style garden with period plants, plus a walled garden.
• Woodland around the house, open for walks.
• Father Huddleston's missal, bought by the National Trust at auction in 2023 and now displayed in the hall.

How did it become a National Trust property?

Will Wiggin of Bloxwich bought the house in 1940 and began repairs. The Wiggin family gave it to the National Trust in 1962, and it opened to visitors in 1963.

When should you visit?

Opening times change with the season. The National Trust has listed the garden and woodland as open from 10:00 to 17:00 and the house from 10:30 to 16:30, but some days are closed, so check the current calendar before you set off. Late spring to early autumn shows the garden at its best. Allow around two hours for the house and grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Is Moseley Old Hall open to the public?

Yes, it is a National Trust property, though days and hours vary by season. Check the official website before travelling.

Why is the hall famous?

It sheltered Charles II in September 1651. Visitors can see the priest hole and the room where the king reputedly slept.

Who owns Moseley Old Hall?

The National Trust, since 1962. The Whitgreave family's descendants lived there until 1925.

Is there a garden?

Yes. There is a recreated 17th-century-style garden with period plants, a walled garden and woodland to walk through.