Where to Go In Worcestershire

The Commandery museum sits at a busy road junction in the heart of the city of Worcester, near the cathedral, but the building itself has been there since medieval times, standing at the Sidbury Gate through the city walls.

The distinctive black and white building was probably originally a hospital, founded around 1085 by Saint Wulfstan, then Bishop of Worcester.

Civil war cannon

It was run by monks for more than 500 years, and was one of the last monastic institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII, in 1540.

The building survived the Battle of Worcester in 1651, despite being in the thick of the fighting centred around Fort Royal.

In its long history the Commandery has been a home, military headquarters, factory and college.

The museum has been completely refurbished, using £985,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.