Greyfriars, Worcester facts for kids

The Greyfriars, Friar Street, Worcester

Greyfriars, Worcester is a really old and special building in Worcester, England. It's so important that it's called a Grade I listed building! For a long time, people thought it was a guest house for the Franciscan monks (who were also known as Greyfriars) because it's close to where their old monastery used to be.

But now, experts believe it was actually built around 1485 as a house and a place for making beer (a brew-house). It belonged to a man named Thomas Grene, who was a brewer and an important local official in Worcester. Since 1966, this amazing building has been looked after by the National Trust, which is a charity that protects historic places.

What Does Greyfriars Look Like?

Greyfriars is a two-story building made with a special old technique called timber frame. This means its walls are built from strong wooden beams, with the spaces in between filled in. You can see lots of vertical timbers, a style called close studding.

The upper floor of the building sticks out over the ground floor, which is a cool feature called jettying. The building is about 69 feet long, and its front wall is curved, following the shape of the street. Over hundreds of years, the building has had many changes and additions, but it still keeps its historic charm.

A Glimpse into History

Greyfriars has stood for over 500 years, watching history unfold in Worcester. Imagine all the people who have lived and worked within its walls! From its early days as a home and brew-house, it has seen many changes in the city and the country. The National Trust now cares for it, making sure future generations can also explore this unique piece of the past.