Lower 3 Tudor Day Trip Kentwell Hall
September 24, 2024
On Tuesday, 24th September, Lower 3 stepped back over 500 years into the past, to a time when Henry VIII ruled England, Thomas Cromwell was at the peak of his influence, and a young William Shakespeare was yet to transform the literary world—this was the Tudor period.
As part of their History topic, the pupils fully immersed themselves in Tudor life, entering Kentwell Hall—a stunning moated Tudor estate set in over 25 acres of gardens and parkland, widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind in England.
Dressed in period-appropriate clothing, the day began with an inspection by the gatekeeper, who ensured that none of us had brought the dreaded Black Death from Norwich. After passing the check, we were welcomed with lively traditional music and dancing, performed by local musicians. Enthralled by the atmosphere, we continued to the blacksmith’s forge, where we learned about the vital skills of a Tudor smith before crossing the fish-filled moat to explore the grand house itself.
Once inside, the pupils were swiftly put to work learning how the kitchens kept the noble owners well-fed and satisfied with the luxuries they were accustomed to. They were taught how to bake bread in the bakery, make cheese in the dairy, and brew ale in the brewery. With many pupils affected by the seasonal sniffles, we visited the apothecary to find a cure! Unfortunately, there were no appropriate remedies for modern colds, but instead, they learned about the fascinating treatments of the time, including lotions, potions, elixirs, and ointments used to treat a wide range of ailments.
Before the day ended, there was just enough time to explore the estate’s gardens, where pupils learned about the crucial role of home-grown produce in sustaining the household.
By fully immersing ourselves in the Tudor way of life, we gained a deeper understanding of 16th-century England and developed our historical skills, especially in how historians use evidence to reconstruct and interpret life from this fascinating period. The trip truly brought history to life, allowing us to appreciate the challenges and achievements of the time. As we returned to the present day, we carried with us not just new knowledge, but a real sense of how the past shapes our world today.






