Great Annual Re-Creation of Tudor Life - Kentwell 1588

Time Tunnel

Modern life is separated from the 16th C. Re-Creation by a Time Tunnel through which the Re-Creation is entered and left. Once inside the Re-Creation, all is 16th Century spread over the approx. 40 acres that surround the 16th Century House.

Year Portrayed

Each Great Annual Re-Creation is set in a different year of the 120 years of the Tudor period. Kentwell's Tudors react to the outside events of that year as if they were actually taking place then.

For some background for the year chosen for this year's Great Annual Re-Creation go to Year Being Re-Created .

Inside the Time Tunnel

More than 200 Participants at any one time create the dress, speech, food, drink, music, dance, crafts, pleasures and way of life of the chosen year. Visitors feel they are transported back to the 16th Century and (for an hour or two) may forget that modern life exists, as they ingest the sounds, sights and smells of Tudor England. They may converse with the Tudors about their daily life as well as the events and activities of their 16th Century time.

At the Hall
Visitors meet members of the Clopton family (who lived at Kentwell during the 16th C) and their friends and their retainers working at the Hall and in its service building. Both operate as each might have done then. Ladies may embroider or read. Gentlemen may practise swordplay, archery or alchemy. All may dispute, dance, sing and play instruments. The family go about their business, eat and relax as of that time and retainers (stewards, butlers, cooks, bakers, brewers, dairymaids, gardeners etc) serve them.

On the Manor
In addition, there is re-created a whole range of activities elsewhere (in the Gardens, Grounds, Stables and Farm) of those working on the Manor. Haymakers & Herds, Carters & Ostlers, Potters, Carpenters & Smiths, Spinners, Weavers & Dyers. The Cot and Hovel show people living in meaner dwellings. But even poorer sorts have their pleasures, so there are loud musicians, players and archers. Plus travellers of every type.

School visits

School Visits - for visting the Great Annual Re-Creation as a school group