If you’ve ever wandered around Penshurst Place, Kent and wondered what life was really like here when Henry VIII was in charge, this September offers the chance to find out.
The historic Kent estate is stepping back into its Tudor past with a brand-new Tudor Re-enactment Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, when around 15–20 costumed characters will set up a 16th-century encampment in the grounds.
The weekend is being brought to life by The Companye of Merrie Folke, who will recreate everyday life at Penshurst as it might have looked in 1528, when the 2,500-acre estate belonged to Henry VIII.
And this isn’t a case of actors standing around waiting for visitors to arrive. The characters will remain in role throughout the day, going about their business as members of the King’s household while visitors are free to watch, wander around and chat to them.
Among the people you might encounter are gentry ladies and gentlemen, a scribe, barber surgeon, cook and men-at-arms, along with musicians, gamesters and puppeteers. There’s even a plague charm maker – because apparently Tudor life wasn’t quite challenging enough without the occasional threat of bubonic plague.
The premise is that Henry VIII is away for the day, perhaps hunting on the surrounding estate or making a rather more interesting journey to nearby Hever Castle to court Anne Boleyn, whose family lived there.
That little piece of Tudor history is particularly appropriate because Penshurst has a genuine connection with Henry VIII and the Boleyn family. The estate became Crown property in 1521 and Henry used it as a hunting lodge and as a base for his visits to Hever Castle.
Penshurst later passed to Henry’s son, Edward VI, who gave the estate to Sir William Sidney in 1552. The Sidney family connection continues to this day.
The re-enactment therefore promises more than a collection of colourful costumes and sword-waving. Visitors will get the opportunity to see the practical side of Tudor life – from cooking and writing to medicine, entertainment and military life –-while talking to the characters about their skills, work and daily routines.
The Tudor Re-enactment Weekend runs from 10am to 4.30pm on both days and is included with general garden admission to Penshurst Place. Visitors can also explore the historic gardens, Adventure Playground, Toy Museum and Woodland Trail.
Wealden Times Returns
The Tudor weekend isn’t the only reason to head to Penshurst that weekend.
On Friday 11 September, the estate will welcome back the Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair, following its earlier appearance at Penshurst this year.
The one-day autumn shopping event will bring together 33 independent brands, with fashion, jewellery, homeware, gifts, artisan food and plenty of other tempting finds displayed within the historic rooms of Penshurst Place.
Running from 10am to 4pm, tickets include entry to the House and Gardens, so there’s plenty to explore even if your shopping basket gets full rather quickly.
There will also be two exclusive garden tours led by Penshurst Place’s Head Gardener, offering an opportunity to discover more about the history of the gardens, their planting and the seasonal highlights. The tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis when booking an entry ticket.
Tickets for the Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair cost £14 and must be booked in advance, with timed entry available at 10am or 12 noon.
For more information about the Tudor Re-enactment Weekend, visit Penshurst Place events.
For the Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair, tickets and information are available from Wealden Times.
With Tudor characters, historic gardens, shopping and a genuine Henry VIII connection, it sounds like a rather good excuse for a September trip to Penshurst – just don’t expect the barber surgeon to offer NHS treatment.
(Images © Penshurst Place)
