‘Harvington Hall: The House of Secrets’ Jo Durrant in conversation with Phil Downing

Can you imagine having to hide in a tiny space, cleverly concealed in the fabric of a building, and not knowing when you’d get to escape? That’s what a number of Catholic priests in Elizabethan England did, as it was illegal for them to set foot in the country from 1585. The consequences of being found by a priest hunter were often harrowing. Harvington Hall in Kidderminster has the UK’s finest collection of priest hides, including under the stairs and above a bread oven. Manager Phil Downing has spent years researching these hiding places, and has also spent time locked inside them! He joins Jo Durrant to reveal some surprising stories from the building known as the house of secrets. Book online here or call . Tickets £7.50 / £6 / £5 Museum Members - Membership is free to join Tea & Coffee included This interview-style event is part of Jo Durrant’s ‘Our Beautiful Universe’ Saturday afternoon series in the Museum’s Garden Pavilion. Jo is the award-winning presenter of the independent arts and science podcast ‘Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe’. She’s a highly respected and accomplished interviewer and event chair, and a familiar face at literature, history, and science festivals. Jo is freelance but for over 20 years was a presenter, producer & reporter with BBC radio and interviewed hundreds of people, from Melanie C to Tim Peake.