The town of Hartlebury, 4 mls (6.5 km), 2 mls (3km) west of Stourport has an ancient past. There has been human activity in and around for at least 10000 years, Mesolithic and Neolithic flints (8500 B.C) and prehistoric earthworks have been found on Hartlebury Common, which itself has been common - uncultivated - land since at least the medieval period. Hartlebury has been the home to the Bishops of Worcester for at least 1000 years, the land upon which the present Castle stands was given to the Bishop of Worcester by Bughred, King of the West Mercians in 850 A.D. the present Hartlebury Castle was built in the 13th century as a fortified manor house and sucessive Bishops have altered and added to the building; a moat was added in 1255 and in 1268 a outer stone wall and keep were added. During the Civil War the castle was held for the king by Col.William Sandys and 120 soldiers, supplers for at least 12 months were laid down, but in the 16th May 1646 after only two days the castle was surrendered. It then became a prison for Royalist. It fell into derelection until 1675 when Bishop Fleetwood began rebuilding. In 1964 two thirds of the building was leased to Worcester Council for the Worcester County Museum which opened to the public in 1966; based in the former servants quarters in the North Wing the museum has a range of premenant exhibits showing the past lives of the county and its inhabitants from the Roman times up to the present day. The church of St.James was rebuilt in the 19th century but retains a few earlier features, the tower is 16th century and the north side has some parts that are 14th century. Other buildings of note are the Rectory built in the 17th century and, at the Railway Station, the Signal Box which was built in 1875 and is one of the oldest working signal boxes in the country.
Attraction
Budget
Travelodge Hartlebury *book online*
Pub and Bar
School
Hartlebury C of E First School
Hartlebury School
Places to Stay near Hartlebury
Stourport Manor (1.02 miles)
Check availability and book this hotel online with Active Hotels
The Menzies Stourport Manor is set within 23 acres of beautiful grounds near the town of Kidderminster, with a brasserie and leisure club. Enjoy a mouth-watering ... More
Travelodge Hartlebury (1.25 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
Olive Guest House (1.69 miles)
Olive Guest House is a family run guest house / B&B, offering desirable and comfortable accommodation, with a private customer car park, set in a spacious Victorian house, providing the ... More
The Royal Forester (1.86 miles)
The Royal Forester is a charming traditional inn that dates back to 1411. It is located in the heart of the Wyre Forest within Worcestershire. It offers a unique eating & drinking experience combined with ... More | visit website
Granary Hotel (1.90 miles)
The Granary Hotel is a smart modern contemporary 3 Star hotel with a 2AA Rosette Restaurant set amidst the beautiful Worcestershire countryside near to Kidderminster. All bedrooms are ensuite and of a high standard with ... More | visit website
Burlish Park (2.33 miles)
Woodhampton House B & B (2.88 miles)
The Leaking Well (2.95 miles)
Brockencote Hall Hotel (3.27 miles)
Brockencote Hall Hotel is privately owned by the Eden Hotel Collection, winners of the ‘AA Small Hotel Group of the Year’ 2014-2015.
Brockencote Hall Hotel is a peaceful luxury retreat, tucked away amid some of England’s ... More | visit website
Ramada Hotel and Resort Kidderminster (3.81 miles)
Stay at the Ramada Hotel & Resort Kidderminster, experience everything you would expect from an international hotel company. Within easy reach of Birmingham, Stratford upon Avon and Worcester.
Set in 16 acres ... More
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