Boscobel House

Boscobel House stands in a quiet corner of Shropshire, just north of the M54 motorway. It began in the 16th century as a timber-framed farm on land once owned by White Ladies Priory. In 1632 John Giffard enlarged it into a hunting lodge and gave it the Italian-inspired name Boscobel. The Giffard family were recusant Catholics, so the house soon hid priests in a concealed priest-hole. During the Civil War it became famous as the place where Charles II hid from Parliament’s soldiers after the Battle of Worcester. The house is best known for the king’s escape in September 1651. Charles reached White Ladies Priory with help from Charles Giffard and Francis Yates, who was later executed for his part. From there Richard Penderel guided the king to Boscobel, where Colonel William Careless joined him. They spent the day in a nearby oak tree now called The Royal Oak, then Charles spent the night in the priest-hole. After leaving Boscobel he reached safety disguised as a servant of Jane Lane. Today visitors see three building phases clearly marked. The oldest part is the 16th-century farm at the centre, timber-framed and covered in later stucco. To the north is a 19th-century brick farm wing painted black and white to look like timber framing. The 1632 hunting lodge lies behind, its bowed end and tall chimney visible once you step closer. An introductory display in the farm wing tells the story of Charles II’s flight and the house’s long history.