A ‘SECRET’ shrine to a Catholic saint who met a terrible end is tucked away in a tranquil garden in a secluded corner once soaked in the blood of martyrs.

A crucifix and plaque mark the spot where the Catholic martyr, The Venerable John Wall, was hanged, drawn and quartered in Red Hill in Worcester 1679.

This is also the site where the Jesuit Priest Edward Oldcorne suffered the same fate on April 7, 1606. Also considered a Roman Catholic martyr, he was beatified in 1929. The York-born priest was suspected (although it was never proved) to have links to the Gunpowder Plot

Living up to its somewhat ominous name, Red Hill was a site for executions until the early 1800s.

The hill featured in the Battle of Worcester in 1651, fought over between the Royalist forces and those of Oliver Cromwell. 

Worcester News: SACRIFICE: SHRINE: The shrine to Roman Catholic martyr John Wall at Whittington Gate in Worcester - he was executed at Red Hill SACRIFICE: SHRINE: The shrine to Roman Catholic martyr John Wall at Whittington Gate in Worcester - he was executed at Red Hill (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The plaque at 4 Whittington Road (Whittington Gate), near the Oak Apple, commemorates the death of John Wall.

Worcester News: MARKED: The plaque marking the martyrdom of John Wall at Red Hill in 1679 MARKED: The plaque marking the martyrdom of John Wall at Red Hill in 1679 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

John Wall, born in Preston in Lancashire, became a Governor of the Royal Grammar School Worcester, making his home at Harvington Hall famous for its priest-holes, thought to be the work of Nicholas Owen.

After 22 years of ministry to the Catholics of the area, he was apprehended in December 1678, at Rushock Court near Bromsgrove, where the sheriff's man had come to seek a debtor. He was tendered the Oath of Supremacy and was committed to Worcester Gaol for refusing it.

Worcester News: MANOR: Harvington Hall near Kidderminster which has connections with John Wall has a number of priest hides or holes MANOR: Harvington Hall near Kidderminster which has connections with John Wall has a number of priest hides or holes (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

He was offered his life if he would abjure his religion and brought back to Worcester and executed on Red Hill 22 August 1679.

His quartered body was given to his friends and was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Church of St. Oswald of Worcester, while the head was taken to the Franciscan friary of Douai, to which the martyr belonged.

Worcester News: FEAR: The library in Harvington Hall near Kidderminster contains one of the manor's secret priest holes or hides FEAR: The library in Harvington Hall near Kidderminster contains one of the manor's secret priest holes or hides (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The medieval moated manor of Harvington Hall, which has strong links to John Wall, contains more priest holes or hides than any other house in England.

The hides, some in quite ingenious locations, give an impression of the oppressive climate of fear and distrust which permeated the Elizabethan age following England's painful break with the Mother Church.

Humphrey Pakington inherited the estate in 1578.

Being Catholic, Humphrey was subject to the harsh penal laws of the age. Humphrey was a recusant, meaning he refused to attend the Church of England service on Sundays.

From 1585 it was illegal for a Catholic priest to step foot in England, making it necessary for Humphrey to fit Harvington with priest holes. Some were the handiwork of the master carpenter Nicholas Owen.