Schools Tudor Festival at Hampton Court Palace

This summer, Historic Royal Palaces is bringing history to life with the Schools Tudor Festival, an extraordinary educational experience set against the stunning backdrop of Hampton Court Palace. From 23–27 June 2025, the palace grounds will be transformed into a bustling Tudor encampment, offering 5,000 schoolchildren from across the UK a chance to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and spirit of 1522, just as King Henry VIII prepares for his royal tour.

At the heart of this initiative is Historic Royal Palace’s commitment to making history engaging and accessible. In collaboration with seven heritage sites across England, the project has worked closely with local schools to travel back in time through art, performance, and hands-on activities. Participating heritage sites include West Horsley Place (Surrey), Gainsborough Old Hall (Lincolnshire), Hailes Abbey (Gloucestershire), Layer Marney Tower (Essex), Powderham Castle (Devon), The Vyne (Hampshire), and St Augustine’s Abbey (Kent).

These historic sites have collaborated with local students to create performances, decorations, and other artistic contributions, all of which will take centre stage at the festival. An example of these creative workshops is Hampton Court Palace’s Tudor flag-making workshop, run in collaboration with experts from the Royal School of Needlework, where six schools have embroidered Tudor-symbols on to bunting that will adorn the festival.

The Schools Tudor Festival promises a multi-sensory adventure, featuring live demonstrations, hands–on activities, and captivating performances designed to spark students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of Tudor life. Attendees will experience history firsthand through activities such as: live cooking demonstrations from the Historic Kitchens Team, clay coin-striking and playing Tudor games. The festival will also include dedicated sessions for home-educated families (Thursday 26 June) and community groups (Wednesday 25 June), making this an inclusive celebration of Tudor history, culture, and craftsmanship.

Alison Lightbown, Head of Schools and Communities at Historic Royal Palaces said: “This project is a fantastic way to bring history to life beyond the classroom. “By partnering with historic sites across England, we’re giving young people the chance to engage with their local heritage in a hands-on way. And the best part? It all builds up to an epic five-day celebration at Hampton Court Palace.”

The Schools Tudor Festival is part of The Henry VIII on Tour project, a three-year research initiative supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by Professor Anthony Musson, Head of Research at Historic Royal Palaces. This groundbreaking study is uncovering new insights into Henry VIII’s royal progresses, including a comprehensive mapping of his journeys, further enriching the historical experience for festival participants.

For more information about The Henry VIII on Tour project and the Schools Tudor Festival, please visit www.hrp.org.uk