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Greyfriars House and Garden
Late medieval merchant's house, rescued from demolition, in Worcester city centre
14 Friar Street, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 2LZ
Opening times for 23 November 2024
Asset Opening time House By guided tour Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Old Oak Cafe 10:00 - 16:00 Visits to the house are by guided tour. Tours usually run between 11am and 3.25pm, but are subject to change and dependant on tour guide availability. For tours in December you can now book in advance via our events page.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 1 adult, 2 children £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs are allowed throughout the site.
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads are welcome on the terrace only.
Available for functions
Our hall is licensed to hold weddings for up to 45 guests. Speak to our team to plan your perfect day at Greyfriars@nationaltrust.org.uk
Guided tour
To visit the house is by guided tour, which are led by our volunteers. There are a limited amount of spaces due to the size of the house, please visit our reception at No.14 (directly opposite Greyfriars) to sign up. The tour is roughly 60 minutes. We also offer volunteer led house highlights in the afternoon which last around 30 minutes.
Bookshop
We have a second-hand bookshop located in No.14 that covers two floors. It is open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30-16.00. Donations are welcome.
Toilet
We have two toilets onsite, located near the terrace.
Café
The Old Oak Café is open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm. There is a small step up to the servery. There is plenty of indoor seating in the Spence and Hall, as well as outside seating on the terrace.
No onsite parking. Uneven surfaces and steps down to the garden. No accessible toilet onsite. No step free access to ground floor of the House, ramp available on request to access the Old Oak Cafe.
Induction loop
We have induction loops installed in visitor reception and the Old Oak Cafe.
Seating available
There is plenty of seating available throughout the site. There are also seats for use during the tours.
Narrow corridors
There are narrow entrances between rooms around the house. There is also a narrow passage by the main staircase.
Steps/uneven terrain
Greyfriars has cobbles leading through the gateway, steps into the house and cafe. Then steps down to the garden. No.14 - Reception and the bookshop have a step down into the building.
By road
Closest available parking at St Martin’s Gate (0.2 miles), The Cornmarket (0.2 miles), and Cathedral Square (0.3 miles). Disabled drop off on Pump Street, and Union Street.
Parking: None on site. The closest parking is at St Martin's Gate car park at £4 per day. Make the most of your day by visiting Worcester Cathedral and Tudor House Museum all within walking distance of Greyfriars. Please note this car park is not National Trust and charges apply to all including members.
By train
0.4 miles Foregate Street Station 0.7 miles from Shrub Hill Station
By bus
Closest bus stops are City Walls Road & Crowngate Bus Station https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/transport/bus-travel.
Coach
Drop off point on City Walls Road – 5-minute walk.
Planning your visit
Article
Accessibility at Greyfriars
Learn more about the accessibility features at Greyfriars House & Garden. The late-medieval House and other buildings we care for present challenges in creating access for all, but we are working to ensure Greyfriars is accessible to as many visitors as possible. Here you’ll find information about how to make the most of your visit.
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Visiting Greyfriars with your dog
Greyfriars is a one paw print rated place. Find out where you can take your dog and read our Canine Code here.
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Group bookings at Greyfriars
Situated at the heart of Worcester’s historic centre, Greyfriars House and Garden makes the perfect location for a group visit, whether you are visiting Worcester for the week, the day, or just passing through.
Venue hire
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Weddings at Greyfriars
Greyfriars House and Garden is a late-medieval, timber-framed property set at the heart of Worcester’s historic centre, offering an intimate venue for weddings, civil & celebrative ceremonies. Let your special day become part of Greyfriars' history.
Highlights
House
Late 15th-century timber-framed house in the heart of Worcester, saved from demolition and brought back to life by siblings Elsie and Matley Moore. Entry to the House is by guided tour only.
Garden
English walled garden with Italianate features
Old Oak Cafe
Set within the late medieval house, serving hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes and light snacks.
Second-hand bookshop
Located across the street at No.14, a two-storey bookshop stocked full of preloved books.
Spotlight events
Festive Tudor Takeover
The wonderful Lypett Household of reenactors are back again this year to bring Greyfriars Christmas season to close in raucous Tudor style. There will be feasting, dancing, and all kinds of revelry, set inside the beautiful timber framed building. It is sure to be fun for all the family!
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Christmas at Greyfriars
Join us this Christmas to share some festive spirit with family and friends, admire the Christmas decorations, and enjoy delicious traditional treats. Greyfriars is proud to be a part of a rich festive programme on Friar Street and across Worcester City Centre.
Greyfriars at the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre
Greyfriars is proud to be part of the Worcester Victorian Fayre once again, and will be open for self-guided visits, decked out in its best Tudor finery. Thursday 28 November - Sunday 1 December.
Things to see and do
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Visiting the house at Greyfriars
Join us at Friar Street for an eye-opening tour, where we’ll uncover the misnomer that is Greyfriars and reveal hidden stories from over 500 years of history. Local items can tell a story about a house, its people, history and traditions. See the items salvaged and restored by the Moore siblings who owned the house. Here's a taster of treasures to look out for on your visit.
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Explore Greyfriars' garden
The walled garden pays homage to what stood before, a row of 10 houses, demolished and rebuilt as a tranquil outdoor space in the heart of the city.
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Eating and shopping at Greyfriars
Get a bite to eat in the Old Oak Café, serving a range of light meals, sandwiches, cakes, hot and cold drinks. Visit our second-hand bookshop across the road at No.14 Friar Street, stocked full to the brim with some fantastic titles, ready for you to pick up.
Places to stay
Hanbury Lodge
At the entrance to the Hanbury estate, this handsome lodge has miles of walking trails on the doorstep.
South Wing
A second floor apartment within Hanbury Hall with stunning views over the 18th century Parterre.
Old Mill Cottage
A gorgeous picture-book 15th-century cottage set in woodland on the Brockhampton Estate.
Upcoming events
Event
Greyfriars at the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre
Step even further back in time at Greyfriars during the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre...
Event
Sold Out: M.R James' Whistle and I'll Come to You
The M.R. James classic ghostly tale is bought to life this Christmas at Greyfriars.
Event
Sold Out: M.R James' A Warning to the Curious
The chilling M.R. James classic will be brought to life this Christmas...
Event
Quiet Guided Tours: December 17th-20th
Book for a quieter guided tour of Greyfriars while the whole house is closed to free flow visitors...
Event
Sold Out: Christmas Ghost Stories
Dr Nicolas Grimoire presents, for your festive entertainment and amusement, a fine selection of Christmas ghost stories.
About Greyfriars House and Garden
Greyfriars was built c.1490 by a wealthy merchant and was a home to wealthy families until the late 17th century. In 1699 a baker purchased the lease and divided the house into two. It then became a mixture of homes, shops and businesses for the next 200 years. Trade varied and included leather goods, hats, bread and umbrellas, and for a brief time it housed a kiddlywink called the Old Oak Tavern.
Over the years, extensions have been added and its interior altered to accommodate the many families and individuals who've resided here. In the early 19th century, ten cottages were constructed in the back garden. By the 1930s, however, fortunes had declined and Greyfriars was faced with demolition. Fortunately, the house was rescued and carefully restored in the mid-20th century by a handful of dedicated individuals, most notably by siblings Elsie and Matley Moore.
The care of Greyfriars was transferred to the National Trust in 1966. Join us on a guided tour to discover the story behind this late-medieval survivor.
History
Article
Discover the history of Greyfriars
Discover how we used science to confirm the date of Greyfriars house and how it was saved from demolition by the Moore family and decorated, with many items still there today.
Art and collections
Greyfriars' objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Greyfriars House and Garden on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
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Volunteering at Greyfriars
Volunteering at Greyfriars is a great way to meet people, share your interests and have fun. There are many ways to get involved and previous experience isn't necessary. Volunteering provides plenty of opportunities to gain experience, try something different and learn something new – all that’s required is an enthusiasm to get involved.