1483: The Year of Three Kings
Saturday 18 October, 4 – 5pm | The Commandery
Author and historian Nathen Amin returns to The Commandery this October.
1483 was a truly turbulent year in English history.
A year of three kings, one infamous coup d’etat, one failed invasion and the curious disappearance of two royal princes – perhaps murdered by their uncle, perhaps not.
Bloodshed and conspiracy darkened every corner of England, as civil war threatened once again to tear the kingdom apart.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
In this gripping talk, historian Nathen Amin takes us step-by-step through the drama-filled year, exploring the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, the ill-fated rise of Richard III, and the unexpected emergence of the Tudors – consequences we still feel today.
£12. Book your spot.
About Nathen Amin:
Nathen Amin is an author from Carmarthenshire, West Wales, who focuses on the 15th Century and the reign of Henry VII. He wrote ‘Tudor Wales’ in 2014 and ‘York Pubs’ in 2016, followed by the first full-length biography of the Beaufort family, ‘The House of Beaufort’ in 2017, an Amazon #1 Bestseller in three historical categories (Wars of the Roses, Norman England, and The Plantagenets & Medieval History). His fourth book, ‘Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders; Simnel, Warbeck and Warwick’, was released in in 2021.
Nathen is an experienced public speaker, presenting talks on the Beauforts, Wars of the Roses, and Henry VII, for more than fifty societies and book festivals, including the BBC History Weekend, Windsor Castle, HistFest, British Museum, Gloucester History Festival, Alison Weir Tours, Lichfield Literature Festival, Oundle Festival of Literature, Lancaster Historical Writing Festival, Bosworth Medieval Festival, Barnet Medieval Festival, and the Richard III Society. He has also featured on British, Australian and German radio and television, as well as in print and online media across the UK. As of 2020, he is a trustee and founding member of the Henry Tudor Trust, and in 2022 was elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Pikelets: Tots Through Time (early years sessions)
Wednesdays, 10.15 – 11.45am | The Commandery
Pikelets: Tots Through Time is The Commandery’s first early years programme designed to encourage little ones to explore, play and learn.
Each week, the session will take place in a new area of the museum and gardens, with the activities tailored to the space. Be a shape detective in the Great Hall, join in a tea party in the Georgian rooms, take part in sensory scavenger hunts in the beautiful walled gardens and much more. 🌻
Pikelets: Tots Through Time has been carefully designed for crawlers to pre-school children, with fun activities each week to help develop fine motor skills, counting, play-based learning and creative thinking – all within The Commandery’s unique museum setting.
Sessions end with drink, biscuit and a story.
Facilities include a baby change, lift access, and onsite café Little Al’s at The Commandery, all in a convenient city centre location (WR1 2HU) with parking nearby.
£5 per child (£2.50 per additional sibling).
If you wish to visit the museum after the session, you can enjoy a 50% discount on day admission (£4.50 for adult day ticket instead of £9).
Christmas Makers’ Fair 2025
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December, 10am – 6pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
It’s the weekend of Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre! 🎄
Step inside the cosy Art Gallery and Museum as you leave the chilly outdoors behind. Enjoy browsing a range of stalls dotted around museum, a beautiful Victorian building in itself.
Check out a whole variety of unique and exquisite gift opportunities for your loved ones – or yourself – in the lead-up to Christmas. Explore the work of local designer-makers and crafts people, each hand-picked for their quality products.
Browse the fabulous Museum Shop which has an excellent range of cards and gifts, and enjoy cosy coffee or lunch in Little Al’s Kitchen at the Balcony Café.
Free entry. Plan your visit to Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
While you’re here, check out exhibitions Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustration (tickets required) and Jilly Oxlade-Arnott – A Celebration of Worcester (free entry, sales support the artist and Art Gallery and Museum).
Would you like a stall? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with event organiser Tracey Ayre at tracey.ayre@worcester.gov.uk.
Autumn Makers’ Fair 2025
Saturday 4 October, 10am – 4pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Enjoy browsing a range of stalls dotted around the Art Gallery and Museum offering a broad selection of unique and exquisite gift opportunities for your loved ones – or yourself!
Explore the work of local designer-makers and crafts people, each hand-picked for their quality products to help you get prepared for Christmas early.
Browse the fabulous Museum Shop which has an excellent range of cards and gifts, and enjoy morning coffee and cake or lunch in Little Al’s Kitchen at the Balcony Café.
Free entry. Plan your visit to Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
While you’re here, check out exhibitions Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustration (tickets required) and Jilly Oxlade-Arnott – A Celebration of Worcester (free entry, sales support the artist and Art Gallery and Museum).
Would you like a stall?
We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with event organiser Tracey Ayre at tracey.ayre@worcester.gov.uk.
Museum after Hours: On the Shoulders of Elephants
Friday 24 October, 6.30 – 9pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum (The Mended Drum, Filigree Street, Ankh-Morpork)
Get your friends together on a Friday night as Museum After Hours steps into fantasy this October!
Enjoy music, themed cocktails, and get free entry to the autumn exhibition Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustration.
In an evening inspired by Terry Pratchett’s brilliant Discworld, set foot on the flat planet and take part in the fantasy in ‘The Mended Drum’, Ankh-Morpork’s “reputable disreputable tavern”, at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
Have a drop of scumble and dance to Discworld DJs Le Grande Fromage. Even Rincewind himself may put in an appearance. It’s a splendiferous way to start the weekend!
Free entry (including free entry to the exhibition during the event). No booking needed. Card and cash payments accepted at the bar.
Museum After Hours is aimed at adults, 18+.
Bite-size Talk | Unveiling Deception: Exploring Forgeries in the Egyptian Collection
Tuesday 14 October 2025, 2 – 2.30pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Can we be sure that all the objects in the collection are authentic?
Hear from curator Kerry Whitehouse about some of the fake objects that have been discovered in Worcester City’s Egyptian collection.
This seated talk takes place in the Committee Room.
£4.50; book via the link below.
Check out the full programme of Bite-size Talks 2025.
Heritage Open Day | free entry and talks
Sunday 21 September, 10am – 3pm | The Commandery
The Heritage Open Days Festival returns for 2025!
Enjoy free entry to The Commandery on Sunday 21 September.
Enjoy free talks
This year’s festival theme is architecture, so you can join one of the Midlands’ leading architects specialising in building conservation, Nick Joyce. Hear about his work with The Commandery over the decades and his expertise which has helped keep this incredible building in such good repair and open to the public.
Talks are at 10.30am and 1pm, lasting up to an hour.
Booking information
If you would like to join a talk, please book this in advance due to limited numbers. If you can no longer make it, please let us know by calling 01905 361821 or emailing commandery@museumsworcestershire.org.uk. Thank you.
If you are enjoying a general visit to The Commandery, there is no need to book – just come along on the day.
After-dark Tours at The Commandery 2025
After-dark Tours at The Commandery 2025
Various dates and times in October | The Commandery
After-dark tours are back at The Commandery for 2025!
Explore one of the oldest buildings in Worcester by torchlight this October…
The Commandery is once again opening its gates on autumn nights for you to discover its ghostly secrets.
Hear about strange sightings and mysterious rumours as you uncover the history of the building in a guided tour with a Halloween twist.
Keep your eyes peeled and make up your own mind about the paranormal activities said to have taken place over the years – if you’re brave enough!
| DATES | TOUR TIMES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 14 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Thursday 16 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Tuesday 21 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Thursday 23 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Tuesday 28 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Thursday 30 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | |
| Friday 31 October | 6.30pm | 8pm | 9.30pm |
Tours take approximately 1 hour and are for ages 14+.
£15.50 per person; please book via the link below.
Top tips
You may wish to check out the nightlife on the historic Friar Street in Worcester, a short way from The Commandery, before or after your tour. The restaurants and bars in beautiful timber buildings will set the tone perfectly.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour – bring along a torch if you have one!
Access requirements
Please get in touch if you have any access requirements by calling 01905 361821 or emailing commandery@museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
When it is necessary for a visitor to be accompanied by a carer we will give free admission to the carer – this can be booked on Art Tickets.
Bite-size Talk | Your Worcester Stories
Tuesday 9 September 2025, 2 – 2.30pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Hear from Suz Winspear about some of the wonderful objects on display in Your Worcester and in the chemist shop.
This seated talk takes place in the Chemist Shop.
£4.50; book via the link below.
Bite-size Talk | Illustrating Discworld
Tuesday 11 November 2025, 2 – 2.30pm | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Paul Kidby is best known for his art based on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series of fantasy novels and is celebrated in the exhibition Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustrations.
This talk by our museum curator will take a look behind the scenes of the exhibition, and also delves into Worcester City’s own art collection to show examples of work by other illustrators such as Randolph Caldecott to explore the importance of this wonderful artform.
£4.50 for the talk; book via the link below. If you’d like to visit the exhibition too, advance booking is available online. There are a variety of admission options to choose from. The rest of the Art Gallery and Museum is free to visit as usual. Online booking isn’t available on the day of your visit, but you are welcome to pay in the shop when you arrive.
Check out the full programme of Bite-size Talks 2025.