17th-century Paper Cutting (ages 18+)
Saturday 16 May and Saturday 19 September 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm | The Commandery
This year marks 375 years since the Battle of Worcester during the English Civil War, and these craft mornings look back to the art of paper cutting from the 17th century.
In a relaxed morning, discover 17th-century techniques to decorate your own trinket box to take home.
Use crafting knives to cut small and intricate pictures and patterns, and with the help of our staff and volunteers, you will create your own unique design for your box to take home.
Sip a tea, and enjoy a coffee and some biscuits as you craft.
£22.50. All resources supplied. Ages 18+ years.
Book your spot. If you’d like to look around The Commandery, you can get half-price general admission from the shop on the day of the workshop.
Family Fun | Brilliant Birds!
Family Fun | Brilliant Birds!
Early May Bank Holiday Monday 4 May, 10am – 4pm | The Commandery
Be inspired by the beautiful birds that live around The Commandery – from the water-loving heron by the canal to the robins that visit the gardens, there are lots of birds to spot (and to listen out for!)
On the Early May Bank Holiday Monday, follow this one-day-only trail as you explore the building and gardens, and find all of the brilliant birds that can be seen regularly at The Commandery.
Then, fly over to the craft room to decorate your very own wooden bird glider! There are puzzles and colouring sheets to enjoy too.
General admission applies to all visitors + £3.50 for the family trail and activity bag. Free general admission to Season and Worcester Residents’ Pass holders – ask in the shop or plan your visit to The Commandery here.
Rag Rugging Workshop (ages 16+)
Saturday 13 June 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm | The Commandery
Rag rugging became widespread during the Victorian era – it was a way to make the most of every bit of material and to cover chilly floors.
In this craft morning at Worcester’s Commandery, learn how to use traditional rag rugging tools and try out different techniques as you design and create your own rug.✨
Sip a tea, enjoy a coffee, and munch biscuits as you craft.☕
£22.50. All resources supplied. Ages 16+ years.
Book your spot. If you’d like to look around The Commandery, you can get half-price general admission from the shop on the day of the workshop.
Murder Mystery | Downturn Abbey
Saturday 4 July 2026, 7pm til late | The Commandery
It is November 1914 and despite the shadow of war hanging over the country a party is being held at Downturn Abbey to mark the birthday of the Dowager Countess Ivy Crawling.
Her son, Lord Cakebole, has invited most of the village to celebrate with the family.
Below stairs the staff are working flat out to make it a night to remember, but this party will be remembered for all the wrong reasons…
Murder Mystery returns to The Commandery’s Great Hall this summer! The perfect venue for a party.
Immerse yourself in the hunt for the murderer as the story unfolds before you. Can you work out who can be trusted and who is the murderer?
Enjoy an evening of fun at The Commandery, one of the most historic places in the city, where you can enjoy the atmospheric Great Hall and gardens by night.
The bar will be open and a two-course meal will help fuel your detective work – with gluten-free and vegan options available.
£49.50, includes two course meal. Booking closes on Wednesday 1 July.
Easter Needle Felting Workshop (ages 18+)
Saturday 11 April 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm | The Commandery
Always wanted to have a go at needle felting?✨
Join us for a relaxed morning of crafting and create your own Easter bunny to take home with you.
This workshop is aimed at complete beginners, and you’ll get to learn the basics of needle felting in a friendly and supportive environment.
Sip a tea, and enjoy a coffee and some biscuits as you craft your Easter bunny.🐰
£25. All resources supplied. Ages 18+ years.
Book your spot. If you’d like to look around The Commandery, you can get half-price general admission from the shop on the day of the workshop.
Spring Wreath-making Workshop (ages 16+)
Saturday 21 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm | The Commandery
Embrace the beauty of a new season with a relaxed spring wreath-making workshop at Worcester’s Commandery.💐
In a wooden-beamed room upstairs at The Commandery, you’ll use natural materials from the surrounding gardens to create your wreath – either following an example or creating your own design.
Sip a tea, enjoy a coffee, and enjoy some biscuits as you craft your wreath.☕
£27.50. All resources supplied. Ages 16+ years.
Book your spot. If you’d like to look around The Commandery, you can get half-price general admission from the shop on the day of the workshop.
Family Mornings | Spectacular Space!
Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 February 2026, 10.30 – 12noon
Go out of this world in a fun galactic stay and play family morning in the February half-term holiday!
Children can design their very own astronaut mask, create moving rocket pictures, and paint the planets with balloons. Get hands-on with space-themed messy play trays too! 🚀
Family mornings end with a drink, a biscuit and a story.
Suitable for children pre-school age to 11 years old.
£5.50 per child + general admission. General admission applies to all visitors and can be purchased online or on the day of your visit.
Pikelets: Tots Through Time (early years sessions)
Wednesdays in term time, 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. Pikelets takes place in term time only, so there is no session on Wednesday 18 February.
£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).
Living History 2026
All day, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026 | The Commandery
Come face to face with the past at The Commandery’s biggest weekend of the year! ⚔️
Explore living history encampments and watch marvellous military displays at Worcester’s historic Commandery.
The site will be alive with performances by musicians and dancers, and you can learn about traditional crafts too.
Encounter reenactors throughout the beautiful Grade-1 listed building and gardens, where they’ll be demonstrating and displaying historical weaponry.
A full schedule will be available before the event.
Living History 2026 is organised in partnership with The Worcester Re-enactors.
Plan your visit
Opening hours
- Saturday 21 February, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
- Sunday 22 February, 10am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Admission
Usual admission applies; free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass. Find out more.
Advance booking is not essential, you can just turn up, pay in the shop, and enjoy!
While you’re here…
See how many things you can tick off The Commandery’s top 10 highlights list!