String of potential purchasers for castle

Historic Hartlebury Castle has attracted interest from a string of potential buyers after being put up for sale, English Heritage revealed today.

English Heritage said the organisation is now hopeful that the castle, near Kidderminster, could be re-opened to the public by whoever takes it on.

The castle has faced an uncertain future after being put up for sale by the Church of England, with residents fearing it could fall in to the hands of private developers.

Hartlebury Castle was home to the Bishops of Worcester for at least 800 years, but church commissioners decided the bishop could better serve the community from Worcester city.

The building is now unoccupied and is being offered for sale at around £3.5 million. The news comes as it was announced that the historic Hurd Library inside the castle will be thrown open to the public later this month as part of a nationwide Heritage event.

Built by Richard Hurd, the then Bishop of Worcester in the late 18th Century, the library has been immaculately preserved.

Traditionally, the library and books inside it could only be seen by scholars and historical societies.

But the library will be open to the public between September 10 and 13.