Easter Re-Creation of Tudor Life

Tudor Life at Eastertide 2011 - Good Fri 6th to Easter Monday 9th April

Our Easter Re-Creation usually proves to be one of our most popular Re-Creation weekends.  The Bakehouse is very busy as the Tudors there bake Holy Manchets (you may exchange one for a donation  - all proceeds go St Nicholas's Hospice in Bury St Edmunds).  Other Tudors will be found in the Great Hall and also in the service areas of the Hall and Moat House (Kitchen, Brewhouse, Dairy, Stillroom, Needleroom etc) and,often, in certain other outlying areas: Forge, Foundry, Pottery, Cottage and Woolshed as well as the Military, outside Cooks and Pedlars on the Front Sward.

Theme

The basic theme of the weekend is 16th Century activities associated with Easter, such as special Easter dishes in the Kitchen, Easter Subtlety creations in marzipan, hot cross buns in the Bakehouse, waffles & wafers, Easter Plays & Music, Pace-egging etc. 

The Great Easter Egg Quiz

This has been a feature of our Easter opening for some 30 years. No ordinary quiz this but a challenging (and sometimes infuriating) test of your powers of observation as well as your wit.The Quiz is not Tudor either in concept or content but is much enjoyed by those who welcome a challenge.

Children's Easter Egg Hunt

In addition to the Quiz we will have a Children's Easter Egg Hunt. The challenge is for youngsters to find Eggs or clutches of Eggs which each bear a Code that have been placed around the Manor. In order to win a prize find all the eggs. To have a chance of winning the Main Prize children have to solve a further Code.

Lambing

Although we may have finished lambing there will be many ewes with their young lambs about.  Young lambs gambolling on the Lawn are one of the sights of Spring at Kentwell. 

Gardens

Kentwell Gardens are a delight at any time but at no time are they better than in Spring when everywhere is awash with spring bulbs.   A walk though the way-marked woods is a pleasure to be savoured. In the Walled Garden the ancient espaliered fruit trees proudly show off their gnarled branches before they become almost invisible under the new year's growth.

Weather

Please do not think that Kentwell is just a fair weather visit.  As a wise man once said there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes! Please do not be deterred if it is cold or wet, a visit then can be just as rewarding. Indeed, if there is anywhere to visit when the weather is less than kind it must be Kentwell. And, yes, we carry on whatever the weather.

House, Garden & Farm

House, Gardens & Farm will all be fully open this weekend.

Prices 

Special Prices apply for this weekend - see below. HHA visitors do not enjoy free entry during this weekend.  If you buy on-line there may be discounts off the prices stated below. The On-Line Prices may vary from time to time. On-line Tickets for this weekend are available for use on any one day of the weekend. 

 You don't have to buy tickets in advance and can usually be sure of buying tickets on entry.

HHA Members enjoy no concession for this event and must pay the appropriate full price.

How long to spend ?

Most people arrive early and aim to spend most of the day here.

Catering

Full catering will be available in the Stableyard Café/Restaurant serving hot & cold lunches and teas & the Stableyard Grill serving lunches, grills & chips. Also the Undercroft Restaurant may also be Open then too.

There is a picnic site by the Main Gates but no picnics within the Re-Creation.