EAW007519 ENGLAND (1947). Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, 1947. This image has been produced from a print.

Hartlebury Castle (Hartlebury, Worcestershire DY11 7XX)



Grade 1 listed - English Heritage Building ID: 400766



Built in the mid-13th century as a fortified manor house on land given to the Bishop of Worcester by King Burgred of Mercia.

From the early 13th century until 2007, Hartlebury Castle was the residence of the Bishop of Worcester



Bishop's palace. C15

with late C17 and mid- to late C18 extensions C18 work by Henry Keene and James Smith of Shifnal.

and 1960s remodelling.



U-plan, main block aligned north/south, containing C15 hall to north end and C18 saloon (within C15 walls); to rear (west) of hall a former long gallery (divided up as private rooms in 1960s) with C18 library above; south range has C15 chapel projecting forwards (east) with Bishop's study behind;



North range of late C17 was the kitchen wing, now Hereford and Worcester County Museum.



The Hurd Library was built by Bishop Hurd in 1782. It still contains his extensive and unique collection of books including works from the libraries of Pope and Warburton. The copy of the Iliad from which Pope's translation was made is among them.



With the coming of a Bishop Inge in 2008, the Bishop's residence was moved from the Castle to a house adjacent to the Cathedral in the city of Worcester itself. In 1964, the north wing of the castle was taken over by Worcestershire County Council for the creation of a County Museum and in 1966 the Worcestershire County Museum was opened to the public.



The Worcestershire County Museum is housed in the servants' quarters of Hartlebury Castle.