Harvington is a moated medieval and Elizabethan manor-house south-east of Kidderminster. Many of the rooms still have their original Elizabethan wall-paintings and the Hall contains the finest series of priest-holes anywhere in the country.
During the 19th Century it was stripped of furniture and panelling and the shell was left almost derelict. But in 1923 it was bought for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, which restored it and now opens it to the public.
The Elizabethan House was built in the 1580s by Humphrey Pakington. On his death it was inherited by his daughter Mary, Lady Yate. In 1644 it was pillaged by Roundhead troops. Family letters refer to politics, London fashions and medical treatment, as well as business matters.
In 1696 the Hall passed to the Throckmortons of Coughton Court in Warwickshire, who owned it until 1923.
Books available by post:_
Harvington Hall Guide Book ~ £3 + £1 P&P
(A room by room guide to visiting the Hall)
Harvington Hall Video ~ £9 + £1.50 P&P
(Lasting about 15 minutes the video describes the Hall, as well as the period in which it is set)
"Life at Harvington 1250 to 2000" ~ £5 +£1 P&P
(750 years of life at Harvington Hall, describing the Hall and the people who lived in it or were connected to it)
"Harvington Hall ~ Photographic Memories of the 20th Century" ~ £10.99 + £1.50 P&P (listed incorrectly on Order Form at £11.99)
(The last 100 years at Harvington are described in words and photographs, during the time when the Hall was abandoned by the Throckmorton family and then rescued and restored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham to its present state.)
