Who lived in a house like this? | Hidden Secrets of a Tudor Manor House | Harvington Hall

In this weeks video I visit Harvington Hall near Kidderminster, Worcester. Thanks very much to viewers who suggested I make a visit. Harvington Hall has the most priest holes in England, and is also has the second largest hidden away in an attic. It's frustrating you cannot see all the priest hides but I captured as many as I could. Harvington Hall has been a place of a safety in a sometimes divided world and is a stark reminder of the difficulties of the religious upheaval in the Elizabethan period.
Harvington Hall is owned by the Archdiocese of Birmingham and is managed by Historic Houses, at the time of my visit in August 2024 entry was by timed ticket and guided tour and cost £12.50.
As always all footage is filmed, edited and narrated by me, Lucy, an avid social history lover and all round nosey parker. Please do consider subscribing, it really inspires me to get better and keep exploring.

[@karenebarker9244]

So interesting! Another fine history lesson in the loveliest wsy.

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

I find it sad that on whims of some people, others beliefs and ways of life are not tolerated. Mother Nature is my belief as religion is fraught with so much that I don't comprehend. Love the house and your research, again I could easily spend a day wandering around there. Take care Lucy, so glad I found your channel.

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you, we are on the same wave length. I love that humans find peace and reason by following a book of some sort but for me the seasons and the earth are my lead - and just be kind! You don't need a book to tell you that, common sense to me! It's lovely lovely place and certainly worth a visit x

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Same, I’m a pagan. I was raised Catholic though and I find it upsetting to think of all the hate peoples of the same faith can have towards one another just because they have a different view.

[@lilykatmoon4508]

When you were showing the elaborately decorated walls in this building, I thought of how wrong Hollywood is in how they portray medieval buildings. They put so much effort into creating a beautiful, meaningful space. I think it’s cool how they have a chapel accessible now to pay homage to the history of the place. Thanks for taking us along ❤

[@vickyhooper4863]

Love your videos , look forward to them, there all very interesting ❤

[@throughlucyslens]

That means such a lot to me Vicky, you wouldn't believe how nervous I get every Sunday to post! I just want them to be enjoyed and I am so glad you do xx

[@annereidy7981]

I love these Historically fascinating places, so full of atmosphere, even if it is through a screen. Thank you Lucy

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you Anne, this one is certainly full of atmosphere. I love how it hadn't been messed with too much so you could really feel as it was x

[@pamelawright1369]

Thank you for sharing very fascinating and beautiful setting😊

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you for coming with me :)

[@DeanSinger-ky7md]

You thinking , he's back again(joke) ! The owner could have built confession boxes, then the priests would have been immune to the wrath of Lizzie ! 9.45 - very funny Lucy(they could be brown bread)! Some nice lady from the US saved the day in the 20th century! One of those rooms could hold a nice banquet, a small money earner! Very original!

[@throughlucyslens]

I'd love a little picnic in one of those rooms .. I'd be very happy. Your comments always make me smile Dean, thank you!

[@mariannetuite7411]

Wow. Just wow. What a place! That stained glass.. so powerful. Wonderful job as always lovely ❤

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you. I got tearful at that glass!!! Did you see Frankie hiding in one of the shots? I took the kids, they were so well behaved and were really engaged and fascinated about the priest holes. Filming with them in tow plus a guide who was being assessed was no easy feat ❤️

[@mariannetuite7411]

@@throughlucyslensI was going to ask if I spotted her😁 You are a legend managing to film with so much going on. So glad they enjoyed it too though X

[@mariamogaburu2765]

What a lovely way to learn History. Thanks, Lucy.

[@throughlucyslens]

You are so welcome as always Maria ❤️

[@joanware6473]

So much to learn here, I loved the shot where you showed the trees near the end, beautiful.

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you, really appreciate your lovely feedback x

[@gmanette188]

Enjoyed Thank you again for posting

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you for coming with me!

[@GailBurt-wn8oj]

Hi Lucy. Another magical place. Loved the tour and the history. Wow about the priest holes. So glad it was rescued and now looked after. Would love to visit this one. So look forward to your videos every week. Thanks Lucy. 😊

[@throughlucyslens]

Oh thank you, that's so kind! Sorry I couldn't film all the holes/ it was a busy tour group and I never want to get in the way of the other peoples enjoyment or the guides concentration - certainly go if you can, it's wonderful ❤️

[@martynbutler8525]

Another lovely place, always enjoy our explores 'together' :)

[@throughlucyslens]

Me too! Thank you for coming with me ❤️

[@petpilgrimgoose]

Hi Lucy! This was wonderful! We really enjoyed it so much. We are total history nerds, (especially English history) and we live in a lsmall 250 year old house in New Hampshire, USA~Thanks! Adam and Mary

[@throughlucyslens]

History nerds unite!! Thanks so much for your lovely comment, your home sounds absolutely amazing, I am going to have to google your town now to see the town. It sounds amazing, have a beautiful day both ❤️

[@craftybarb6220]

Thank you Lucy for today's video. Harvington Hall was one of the places Derek & visited twice. But the first time it was closed. We sat outside in the car having our lunch. We had a thunder storm and a hail stone storm, hail stones almost covered the windscreen. We did go back on lovely day, apart from one man who eventually drifted off, we had the Guide to ourselves. I still have a perenual plant bought in the shop a white geranium. My red one lasted a good few years. We had tea and cake in the cafe before leaving.

[@throughlucyslens]

What lovely memories! I do love a hailstorm too - they are always so memorable! It must have been great having the guide to yourself. We had quite a big group but everyone was well behaved :)

[@janneshread5030]

Beautiful house and grounds with so much history. Thank you!

[@throughlucyslens]

Thanks for coming with me.

[@DemelzaBoing]

Ah! I agree with you about Thomas More, Lucy. He was a Man for all Seasons. 😊😊

[@throughlucyslens]

He's one of those characters I could cry thinking about! Particularly his depiction in Wolf Hall, it makes me cry like a baby! Such a gentle, forward thinking man - also for his peril very stubborn. But I like a person who sticks to their ethics ❤️

[@SaraMercer-v6i]

Love that you always do thorough research and share what you find with us. Gives us a more complete story. Keeps us excited for the next adventure❤😊❤

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you, I try my best, I'm the kind of person who soaks up information the more the merrier so it's an absolute pleasure!

[@charlieg5529]

I’m in the states, MI, and I love your videos. The history, unique experience and hidden gems, it encourages me to keep adding to my adventure jar so I can visit some day.. thank you 💕

[@throughlucyslens]

I love love love the idea of an adventure jar and you have inspired me to start my own 🥹

[@StephenRobertd]

A,amazing brilliant home to visit always to be so lucky to live where you do not far from where you are visiting today you are so lucky yet happy it's a reward for bring a history teacher 😊 ❤ happy sunday 😊

[@throughlucyslens]

Yes! My teacher training wasn't wasted :) thanks for always coming with me - and happy Sunday ❤️

[@lauranagle1577]

Another fantastic video, thanks Lucy. I love your calm but fascinating narration and knowing that every week you're going to show me a location I'd choose to go myself. I really appreciate this channel!

[@throughlucyslens]

Oh thank you, that means so much! I put a lot of thought into where I go and that means a lot, I have the kind of face that shows if I'm not enjoying something so the world would know 🤣

[@lauranagle1577]

@@throughlucyslens I'd be the same! I think that's why I (and so many others) enjoy your videos so much... you're so genuine about what you, and we, are all passionate about. When you're devoted to social history and the real lives of people who have gone before us, you want to watch videos made by people who feel the excitement for it that you've always felt... if that makes sense!! 🤔❤

[@nancywysemen7196]

love your real history,people and stories first. wonder if moat smells..... how thick are the home's walls to deal with all that water.... thank-you.

[@throughlucyslens]

Good question! The moat didnt smell but it was very green with algae. I imagine it must have in the past though when people were using it as a toilet ...

[@joanmatchett8100]

Fabulous house, I'm glad it was restored. We are loosing so many of our historical buildings.

[@throughlucyslens]

Absolutely, and this one is so majestic, it would have been an absolute travesty for it to go!

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Hi Lucy - what a beautiful place ! Your commentary was brilliant, and you explained it all so well. I imagine spending a night in these places with all the creaks and groans of an ancient building - wonderful - it wouldn't scare me one bit. With such an ancient place, just think of all the thousands of people who have walked through those rooms, the parties that were had and all the other 'goings on' ! Thank you so much for all your fascinating tours and adventures that you kindly share with us. Take special care Lucy 🙂 x x

[@throughlucyslens]

Thanks Micheal. There's a video on you tube posted by harvington hall where there house manager spends 30 hours in one of the priest holes. For me that sounds like peace and quiet 🤣

[@Aethelu1975]

Thank you for the poignant tour Lucy! I'm not relegious and very thankful that I can be without fearing for my life. I've always admired the courage of all those people who stood/stand up for what they believed/believe in no matter the consequences.

[@throughlucyslens]

Absolutely and I'm so thankful for them because even though today we can't quite understand it on the same level they meant we continued as a society and eventually we had free religion for all. ❤️

[@royjacques5650]

Another great video lucy ,how did your wedding anniversary hope you had a good time roy copenhagen denmark 😊😊

[@throughlucyslens]

I had a lovely day thank you, peaceful and relaxing which was just the tonic! I am hoping to visit Copenhagen in the autumn! You heard it here first :)

[@traceywoodall6937]

Wow Lucy you did it again what a lovely place to visit. Great history too and as you said stand for what you believe in with kindness and compassion to others. Such a horrible time for those who were catholic. I’m of no religion particularly and this makes us grateful for how some things have changed for the better. 🥰

[@throughlucyslens]

absolutely! It's such a lovely place. I was annoyed myself I've driven past it so many times and not even SEEN it it's so well hidden down a single track road, well worth the visit ❤️

[@MargaretUK]

What a fabulous place 😍 and so good to see how much has been preserved. I'm so glad that it was saved from dereliction. I bet that moat got a bit whiffy in the summer though! 😏

[@throughlucyslens]

Gosh yes! It looked pretty green even now but I didn't catch any eggy whiffs 🤣

[@MargaretUK]

@@throughlucyslens Thank goodness for that 😅

[@BYBabbra]

Another wonderfully interesting place. Not right on my door step but close enough that I could make a day of it. Just of interest, have you been to Dudaston Hall? I've just visited and it is such a lovely place with extended grounds and the gardens are relaxing. Thank you.

[@throughlucyslens]

Hey, no I haven't - I really want to get into Aston hall (it's never open!) and that would make a great combo! Worth a day out, there's another property Hartlebury castle nearby that would make a nice two centre trip x

[@oswaldthree]

What a beautiful property!! Thanks Lucy, for your fascinating reveal :) RjB

[@throughlucyslens]

Very welcome as always x

[@marybarratt2649]

Love places like this and thank you for all of the research you do on our behalf. Love the bed linen on that four poster and the stained glass windows are beautiful. Poor Nicholas Owen. That was a dreadful death. I learn a lot from your visits Lucy. . Loved the refurbished chapel. I never tire of all that you show us. 😊

[@throughlucyslens]

Glad you enjoyed it - it's a beautiful house isn't it?- and yes, poor Nicholas Owen, all he was trying to do was help people really.

[@Genseago]

❤

[@StephenRobertd]

Great day out 😊 be happy always 😊

[@throughlucyslens]

You too Stephen ❤️

[@not_old_yet]

Your musings about whether the fires and ovens with priest holes would be lit cam precisely when I was wondering the same! We humans are a weird lot, what we’ll do to one another. Thanks for another glimpse of history, Lucy. ❤

[@throughlucyslens]

Very welcome! I actually mentioned it to the guide and he seemed a bit confused .. but several were over fires, It didn't miss me that you could easily be boiled alive in there 🤣

[@SallyMavin-lo3hr]

Hi Lucy, This video took me back to my primary school days. A school trip included a visit to a house that had a priest's hole. What an interesting house and history. I thought the chapel had a very calm and serene feel to it. I I continue to enjoy your videos Lucy and look forward to the next one 😊

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you so much, I love hearing from you Sally! School trips were the best weren't they? I used to still love showing the kids interesting places when I was a teacher myself ❤️

[@GeoffreyMoore-i9k]

This video shows the ingenuity of the craftsmen who constructed these priest holes, by design they were to be undetectable, i wonder how many are yet to be discovered, with the volume of "stately homes" around the country, i guess there must be a few, yet to be discovered Not sure which would be worse, baking next to the chimney or being gassed and frozen in the guardrobe Cracking video Geoff

[@throughlucyslens]

Thanks Geoff ,,, I think I would choose frozen in the guardrobe .. I prefer being too cold to too hot - either would be pretty awful though wouldnt it?

[@jeffwheeler2967]

Fascinating!

[@jennifermott5651]

Oh, I so want to go to Harvington Hall! Someday, maybe... Thanks, Lucy!

[@throughlucyslens]

Very welcome, it's a lovely day out - especially in the sunshine! :)

[@tashaimpressions]

Might have visited when i was a lot younged. Interesting.

[@judithstonier9872]

Lovely visit Lucy to a beautiful historic house, I live near Townley Hall in Burnley which has a similar fascinatingly history of Catholic persecution and providing sanctuary to priests, thank you for showing it to us 😊❤

[@throughlucyslens]

I think it's the house in Burnley that has the biggest priest hole! I need to go and see it one day :)

[@judithstonier9872]

@@throughlucyslens The Hall is closed at the moment for repairs but if you ever do visit you are welcome to call for a cup of tea ! 🥰

[@heatherstephens9295]

Thanks again for another wonderful video. It’s awesome this beautiful home has been saved, what an absolute treasure for people to see the dangerous times people lived through. Talk about risk takers!! Can’t help but think I would just have gone with the flow but kept my true beliefs to myself 😂😂

[@throughlucyslens]

See I've often thought what I would have done .. I'm really really stubborn and a couple of my ancestors were contentious objectors .. does make me think I would be helping with the hiding rather than the hunting for sure!

[@deaddave8805]

I love your video's Lucy. Moreso the way you explain the history of the places you visit, in a nice easy and understandable way. Thank you. Where are you taking us next ? Keep up the good work. Dave and Sophie xxx

[@throughlucyslens]

Hello! You know I'm not sure! I've got two "in the can" and when I sit down for an editing session I choose the one I feel most connected to on that day .. we might be shopping in the 1960s .. or we maybe in a Jacobean mansion ... time will tell ❤️❤️

[@skyboswell]

Such a fascinating place, the priest holes in particular were so exciting for me as a 21st century person with nothing to fear regards religious persecution. I do like the fact that the hall descended through the female line for a while, but so sad to hear it was allowed to fall into disrepair eventually. Thanks to the wonderful American lady who purchased thee hall to rescue and repair it, and for her generosity in gifting it to the Diocese of Birmingham (did I get that right?). As always, your video did not disappoint, thank you for such fantastic adventures, Lucy. x

[@throughlucyslens]

No thank you!!! And yes the girls saw this place through didn't they? I always think sometimes the best thing that can happen to them is widowhood - thinking of bess of hardwick as just one example. Phillipa Gregory has a new book called "ordinary women" it's a really (and one of the first) comprehensive history of females and I lapped it up - highly recommended!

[@skyboswell]

@@throughlucyslens Thanks for the recommendation Lucy, I have just reserved it from our mobile library service. x

[@donfranktv]

Hi Lucy, really enjoyed your video from Harvington - one on my list to go and see. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@throughlucyslens]

Oh it's brilliant. - ive since heard they have a "free flow"'entry at 12:30 so you aren't on the tour, it's always super tricky filming on a guided tour and wish I knew that before!

[@fuzzydragons]

The paintings/frescoes are really great to see ❤

[@throughlucyslens]

They are beautiful aren't they? How lucky they have been saved after all these years!

[@fuzzydragons]

def great to still have a piece of art history in its original place, helps to visualise what the place would have looked like when they were painted 😀

[@throughlucyslens]

Only the outlines remained and they are quite crude and cartoonish - that only made me love them more!

[@fuzzydragons]

same actually 🥰

[@skyboswell]

Thanks!

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you so so much!!!!! I am so going to go back to Betel see if I can grab you a pair of those sunnies!

[@Christyj62011]

Wonderful videos. Thanks so much for doing these

[@throughlucyslens]

Very welcome, I love doing them for everyone :)

[@PlanetImo]

Lovely video, Lucy. I enjoyed it :)

[@throughlucyslens]

Thank you ❤️

[@helenstone9711]

Ahh Im so glad you went there!! Lovely video Lucy, its a fab place to visit isnt it! X

[@throughlucyslens]

It's really brill! I loved it!

[@lindywallace9540]

Hiya Lucy! I live your videos. I lived in Scotland for many years and now I live on the small island of Terceira Açores and would love to join you on some of your journeys . And of course you are always welcome to my wee island paradise.

[@throughlucyslens]

Oh my goodness, what led to you living there? It must be an amazing heaven in the middle of the Atlantic - I have been to Portugal but never any of the islands. I mean my wanderlust would never turn down anywhere!

[@lindywallace9540]

@throughlucyslens Hello! My family was stationed here in the 60s and I came back several times to visit friends and in December 2019, made the decision that it was my heart home, which I have always known. It is beautiful! And there is so much to see and do. If you enjoy outdoor activities, this is the place for you. The food, the wine, the bread are amazing and the people are the kindest in the world.

[@throughlucyslens]

You had me at food ....

[@lindywallace9540]

@@throughlucyslens LOL

[@carolynmalek3202]

Lovely visit.

[@throughlucyslens]

Thanks for coming with me! X

[@Tom.Jackson.]

Absolutely fantastic building 👍 There a building called Moseley Old Hall in Wolvo if not to far might interest ya 👍

[@throughlucyslens]

This will make you laugh Tom ... when I was a kid I was really confused Moseley Old Hall was in Wolvo because I lived pretty much in Moseley .. I didn't understand! You are right though, I do need to go, I've never been!

[@Tom.Jackson.]

@@throughlucyslens I went as a kid apparantley with school but had no memory so went a few years ago, got some good history and yea you think it was in birmingham 🤣

[@frankiefranklin9761]

Please come to Thame where we can talk about the priest hole found in my mother in law's house and the ceiling was moved to the museum Thame museum

[@throughlucyslens]

Can you email me? I would love to sort this out!

[@frankiefranklin9761]

​@@throughlucyslensof course!

[@frankiefranklin9761]

I tried to find an email but sent you an IG message instead- I meant to write more but hit send too early 😂

[@throughlucyslens]

Thats okay, IG is perfect! I'll go and check it now xx

[@ladydax4065]

😘👍💚

[@throughlucyslens]

❤️❤️❤️

[@stephnewman1357]

Lovely place. Haven't been here so will add to my list. It's mad to think people were killed for religious beliefs. Personally im not religious but if no one is doing harm in the name if their religion then leave them alone.

[@throughlucyslens]

You will enjoy it - I don't understand it either, so many of us don't. I respect everyone's point of view wholeheartedly but let us all live in peace about it ❤️

[@tashaimpressions]

Is it haunted?

[@throughlucyslens]

I'm not sure: I didn't really feel anything there x