Step back in time at Chatsworth

Experience life in the 16th century as Chatsworth hosts a Tudor Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday 24 May to Monday 26 May, some activities continuing to the 29 May. The festival will be packed with musical entertainment, historical re-enactors and Tudor demonstrations all within the stunning setting of Chatsworth's garden, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District.

Experience the Tudor way of life

Festival Fun
Visitors can step back in time and get a real taste of what life was like in Tudor times, set in the impressive gardens around the Maze. The Tudor Travellers, a small group of historical re-enactors, will portray what life would have been like for peasants, travelling folk, craftsmen, vagrants and wanderers during a period of continual change. Accompanied by a selection of artefacts – some original, others replica, they are able to create a fascinating living history environment.

Hautbois, a lively and talented duo, will provide the musical entertainment and demonstrations will run over the weekend with packhorses, spinning, candle making, shoemaking and building techniques. From stocks to stalls selling a variety of Tudor crafts from musical instruments to wooden toys, the theme extends into the kitchens as restaurants serve up Tudor feasts including a spectacular hog roast. Activities are free upon purchase of a normal garden ticket, or the new Discovery pass valid for one visit to the house and two outdoor visits within seven days.

Tudor feasts including a spectacular hog roast

The Tudor period is particularly poignant this year as 2008 marks the 400th anniversary of Bess of Hardwick death, the second most powerful woman in Elizabethan times and founder of the Cavendish dynasty.

The Tudor Heroine
Exciting displays of historically important artefacts including Bess's will and Henry VIII's rosary will reveal the life and times of Bess of Hardwick. Married four times, Bess lived through one of the most politically turbulent periods of English history and under the rule of four different monarchs. Visitors will be able to step back to this time when they walk in and around the evocatively named Queen Mary's Bower, an Elizabethan fishing platform open for the first time. Set in the park, this was once believed to be where the imprisoned Queen took the air.

Queen Mary's Bower, an Elizabethan fishing platform

A fun and educational Tudor Discovery Trail free upon admission to the house will be available to help young visitors and families explore the house, garden and farmyard. The trail sets a challenge to solve clues to spell out the name of a well known person who lived in Tudor times.

A Tudor Spring
Leading florist Jonathan Moseley will be giving Tudor Spring floral workshops and demonstrations inspired by the period in the beautiful 19th century theatre at Chatsworth.

Jonathan Moseley will be giving Tudor Spring floral workshops and demonstrations

Inspiration for the demonstration will be taken from the plant materials and colours associated with this period to produce floral designs with a nostalgic twist. Fragrance will be top of the agenda for the workshop as Jonathan shows how to produce two designs with an Elizabethan air including a stunning Herb ring and a dramatic basket arrangement, using plant materials traditionally associated with Spring in a new and exciting way.

Places are still available for the demonstrations taking place Wednesday 7 May starting at 11am and 2.30pm at £10 per person per demonstration including admission to the garden. The workshop takes place on Thursday 8 May starting at 10.30am at £90 per person including lunch.