TRADITIONAL celebrations for Oak Apple Day will held at The Commandery this weekend.

The Commandery Worcester is one of the only places in the UK still celebrating the spring tradition of Oak Apple day, also known as Restoration Day, when the monarchy was restored in 1660. The celebrations tell the story of Charles II’s flight from the Battle of Worcester through living history and spring-inspired family fun.

The medieval Great Hall will be festooned with garlands of oak leaves, its gardens filled with Morris dancing, garden games and living history, and there will be historical tours and talks.

Families can get crafty colouring in a Charles II portrait that can be hidden in the oak tree in the great hall.

The celebrations run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, May 25, 1.30-5pm on Sunday, May 26 and 10am-5pm to Monday, May 27.

Oak Apple day celebrates Charles II return to the throne on May 29 1660 - after he hid from Parliamentarian troops in an oak tree in 1651, after his Royalist cause was lost at the Battle of Worcester.

As part of the celebration, children and adults would wear oak leaves and ‘oak apples’ (a small round gall made by wasps) on their clothing. Those who didn’t do this would risk being pinched, pelted with birds’ eggs or thrashed with nettles. 

Oli Carey, Commandery museum attendant, said: “Oak apple day is a wonderful spring celebration that local families love, and really brings to life some of the amazing stories from The Commandery’s history. 

"We are really proud to be one of the only places still celebrating this traditional spring tradition.”