Tudor Re-Creations at Kentwell

The Re-Creations of Tudor Life are designed to portray everyday 16th C. life in as authentic a way as possible.

Visitors feel that they are meeting Tudor folk, dressed like Tudors, talking like Tudors and doing the things, in a very Tudor way, that Tudor folk might have done.

What may visitors see?

They will see, hear and smell the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor England in one of England's finest Tudor Locations. Persons of all ages from babes to the elderly; of all stations from the Gentle Family who lived at the Hall to the humblest workers and very poor folk dressed in rags; from skilled artisans fashioning items of quality or use to mere labourers; from the learned to the ignorant. Nowhere else presents such a range, such contrasts or such variety. Dull it isn't. Stimulating, informative and fun, it most certainly is. Some visitors visit year after year, so much they come to know some of our Tudor characters.

Clothes at all levels are made from appropriate fabrics and follow the fashions of the Tudor age - which differed significantly at different times during the 120 years of the Tudor period.

The speech adopted is different too but readily understood. Ambitious visitors sometimes try it themselves.

The music, dance, food, activites and crafts are all those of the period carried out as faithfully as possible.

No Acknowledgement of Modern Life

It surprises visitors that Kentwell's Tudors are not prepared to recognize the modern age. But real Tudors, encountered in the 16th Century would have been as disbelieving. Besides it spoils the illusion if our 'Tudors' discuss obviously modern day happenings or concepts.

Do Visitors have to dress up to visit such a Re-Creation ?
No, certainly not (and it is actively discouraged) for visitors visiting the Great Annual or September Re-Creations on any public day (usually, weekend days) or any other Weekend Re-Creation.

It is different for Schools visiting the Great Annual or September Re-Creation on a weekday reserved for schools only. Then we strongly encourage all schools to bring their children in some sort of Tudor dress. This enables the children to feel much more involved.

The following videos are extracts from an educational DVD for school children. They are both filmed during one of our Tudor Re-Creations.

More about

The Great Annual Re-Creation - The biggest event of the year, where the whole manor is turned back to the 16th Century with over 200 Tudors, and the famous Time Tunnel separates the 16th Century from the 21st Century.

Weekend Re-Creations - Held on some Bank Holiday Weekends and at Michaelmas- these Re-Creations are smaller (with no Time Tunnel) but do not lack the quality (and maintain the feel) of the great Annual Re-Creation.

School Visits - The Great Annual Re-Creation and the September Re-Creations are excellent for schoolchildren. Schools are also welcome at certain times in the autumn and spring for Tours which last half a day (usually 10.00am to 2.30pm with a break for lunch). On these Tours children see no Tudors but the Tour has a strong Tudor flavour.

Living as a Tudor - How to apply to become one of the Kentwell Tudors

Tudor Year Being Re-Created - Learn about the year that will be being re-created from this June to June next year.

List of Tudor Re-Creations