Few things capture the British imagination like the reign of the Tudors. With bloody battles, power struggles and astonishing opulence, it was a dramatic and unruly time during British history.
Our interest in Tudor society continues today – as demonstrated by the hit BBC TV series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which attracted viewing figures of over 4 million in its first week. Now, the show's historically-accurate costumes will be displayed in Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
Hever Castle’s assistant curator Dr Owen Emmerson, one of the historical advisors to Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, says "Henry VIII portrayed his grandeur though clothing, wearing lush gold silks and broad shoulders to emphasise his status. Members of the English Court wore clothing to signify their wealth and influence through fabrics and colours. Lo and behold anyone wearing purple, a colour reserved for Royalty.
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“The costumes also provide a tangible link to the historical period depicted in the series, educating visitors about Tudor history and the social customs of courtly life, making it a valuable resource for both adults and children.”
Read on to find out more about the display, as well as other Tudor experiences that you can visit in the UK.
Best Tudor experiences in Britain
Athelhampton, Dorset
The Great Hall of this 15th-century manor is pure Tudor sumptuousness, with its fine tapestries, heraldic stained glass and roaring fire in the hearth. But Athelhampton’s crowning glory has to be the 20 acres of gardens, featuring a court of yew pyramids. Take an amble alongside the delightfully named River Piddle as it winds through the grounds.
Barley Hall, Yorkshire
Barley Hall lay hidden under an office block until the 1980s and has since been rebuilt to reflect its 14th- and 15th-century origins. Learn about the hall's former residents, which includes a former Mayor of York, discover how residents would have lived during the medieval period. A busy events calendar includes pottery sessions, rum tasting and more.
Speke Hall, Liverpool
The devout Catholic Norris family built this imposing mansion during an era of turbulence, so included a number of security features. Among them, a priest hole, where visiting clerics hid from the authorities. There is also an eavesdropper – a hole under the eaves for servants to listen to the conversations of visitors at the front door. Find out more about the National Trust property here.
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Hever Castle, Kent
Hever Castle echoes childhood doodles of a dream castle – it has crenellated towers and not just one moat, but two. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, doomed second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. To enter her bedroom and see her treasured prayer book is to feel a step closer to this enigmatic woman.
Fans of the acclaimed Tudor TV drama Wolf Hall should pay a visit between 12 February–2 November 2025, as five opulent costumes from the latest series will be on display. Images from the series will be displayed alongside portraits from Hever Castle's collection, helping to bring these figures from the past to life.
Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby
Tenby was a busy port in the 15th century, and its streets bustled with trade. Tudor Merchant’s House reflects this commercial era, when a merchant did indeed live here. Visitors can walk through the house and kitchen gardens, gaze out with some of the clearest views of the harbour, and try on replica Tudor clothes in the bedchamber.
Cotehele, Cornwall
The gardens of Cotehele House descend the deep valley down to the River Tamar, and feature a medieval stew pond, dovecote and an array of exotic plants. You’ll also find the Chapel in the Woods, built by Sir Richard Edgecumbe on the very spot he escaped death during his rebellion against Richard III.
Main image: Oliver Dixon/Hever Castle
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