Of all our nation’s history, the Tudor period continues to be one of the most popular and richly studied. From Henry VIII and his six wives, through to the plays of William Shakespeare, and establishment of the Royal Navy, the country saw great change under Tudor rule as it emerged from the medieval world.
With this in mind, here are 12 historically significant sites with Tudor connections. From famous battlefields and birthing suites, through to manor houses and execution sites, these places will transport you back to Tudor life.
1. Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Thornbury Castle is an impressive example of Tudor architecture and decor, with striking battlements, and chimneys surrounded by vast gardens and vineyards.
It was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham, Edward Stafford. Though the Duke never saw it complete because he was arrested and executed under the orders of King Henry VIII in 1523 before construction ended.
Perhaps the property’s most famous Tudor link lies in Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s 10-day stay there on their honeymoon tour.
Today, Thornbury Castle is a luxury hotel with 26 unique bedrooms and a Michelin-star restaurant.
2. Bosworth Field and Visitor Centre, Leicestershire
No Tudor checklist would be complete without mention of the very battle that kickstarted the dynasty itself. On 22 August 1485, Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and became Henry VII. Not only was this the start of a new era, but Richard III was also the final English king to die in battle.
The site is now a heritage centre open to the public. Its award-winning exhibition features an interactive story-telling of the battle, as well as general information on medieval warfare. There are also guided walks and tours of the town available.
3. The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth
King Henry VIII has been nicknamed the ‘father of the Royal Navy’. Before the Royal Navy’s establishment, English monarchs had relied on gathering merchant vessels in times of need. But with the threat of France in the South and Scotland in the North, Henry VIII began building his Navy from the moment he stepped onto the throne in 1509.
The Mary Rose was a warship in the King’s navy – known to be his favourite. She was launched in 1511 and went on to fight in two wars against France, and one against Scotland. Most significantly however, the Mary Rose unexpectedly sank a couple of miles off the coast of Portsmouth as part of a defensive fleet against a French Armada that attacked the Isle of Wight in 1545.
Today, visitors of the Mary Rose museum can explore the history of the ship that was partly recovered from the bottom of the ocean in 1982, and discover over 19,000 objects from the wreck site.
4. Stirling Castle, Scotland
Stirling Castle was constructed on the orders of King James IV of Scotland (husband to Henry VIII’s sister, Margaret Tudor). It is also the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, who was crowned in the Chapel Royal there at just nine months old.
Mary is perhaps best known for her unfortunate fate at the hands of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. After a decades-long power struggle between the two queens, Elizabeth finally had Mary put to death in 1587 in order to silence the Catholics who claimed her illegitimacy.
Today, visitors can explore the castle and retrace the footsteps of this famous Scottish queen in the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, and Chapel Royal.
5. Old Hatfield Palace, Hertfordshire
Old Hatfield Palace, found in the ruins of 17th-century manor Hatfield House estate, was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I and her siblings. Elizabeth often found herself confined here as the palace was said to have reminded King Henry VIII of his second wife Anne Boleyn too much.
Although all that remains of the original palace is the Banqueting Hall, the site itself is still notable. In nearby Hatfield Gardens stands an oak tree commemorating the place where Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne on 17th November 1558.
One of the new Queen’s first acts was to call on her trusted advisers – including William Cecil – for the first Council of State of her reign, which was held in the Banqueting Hall of the Palace.
6. Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire
Although the Tudors reigned from 1485, the beginnings of their dynasty can be traced back to Pembroke Castle. It was here at just 13 years old, that three-months-widowed Margaret Beaufort gave birth to her son Henry Tudor in 1457 – the later King Henry VII.
Margaret Beaufort was an extraordinary, willful lady with the singular aim in life of putting her son on the throne. Henry VII’s success undoubtedly owed a lot to the remarkable drive of his scheming mother who, among other things, helped arrange his marriage to Elizabeth of York.
Visitors today can explore the castle, including the medieval dungeons and exhibition rooms of weaponry, as well as the very room that King Henry VII was born in.
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7. Hampton Court, Surrey
Hampton Court is an iconic Tudor site and key palace during Henry VIII’s reign. It was originally built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey – known as the ‘alter Rex’ or the ‘other King’ – before he fell out of the King’s favour.
Henry VIII brought all six of his wives to Hampton Court, and key events such as Jane Seymour’s birth of the future King Edward VI and reveal of Katherine Howard’s infidelity took place here. In fact, legend has it Katherine’s ghost still inhabits the Haunted Gallery.
Today, visitors can visit Henry’s Great Hall and Tudor kitchens, as well as enjoy Hampton Court’s magnificent gardens, maze, historic tennis courts, and its huge grape vine which is the largest in the world.
8. Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank of the River Thames is a modern-day reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre which was destroyed in a fire in 1613. The original Globe was built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and played host to performances of many of his famous plays, including Macbeth and Hamlet.
The first theatres in the country were built during the Tudor period, particularly during Elizabeth I’s reign. And though it’s not an original build, the reconstructed Globe gives you a real taste of what the theatre – and that aspect of lifestyle – would have been like during the Tudor period.
Today, visitors can enjoy live performances of Shakespeare plays and guided tours of the theatre, or join in online via the Globe’s blogs and podcasts.
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9. The Tower of London, London
Perhaps the most iconic Tudor site of all has to be the Tower of London. A notorious dungeon, torture chamber, and execution site – the Tower embodies some of the best-known aspects of the Tudor period.
In fact, King Henry VIII is regarded as the English monarch responsible for sending the most people to their deaths. It’s estimated that between 57,000 to 72,000 executions occured during Henry’s 37-year-reign.
From Anne Boleyn becoming the first queen to be executed, to Lady Jane Grey’s execution after reigning for just nine days, to Elizabeth I’s imprisonment by her sister Mary, you can quite literally feel the eerie history that lives in the Tower’s walls.
There’s so much to see and do at the Tower of London. Visitors today can explore the prison cells of famous inmates, witness the Crown Jewels, and marvel at the historic armour of Tudor kings housed there.
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10. Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
If you’re interested in Tudor architecture, then Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire is definitely one for the checklist. Its striking miss-match of timber frames and ornamental panelling make it a fine example of a Tudor manor house.
The oldest parts of the house were built around 1450 for Richard de Moreton, whose family had been landowners in the area for many years. In the 16th century, the Moreton family extended the house and added lavish interior designs like elaborate chimney carvings and open hearths.
While no significant events occurred here, Little Moreton House is a great example of Tudor architecture and insight into the leisurely lifestyle of those with landowner status in Tudor England.
Today, visitors can marvel at the topsy-turvy building, try their hand at Tudor crafts, and explore the orchard and grounds.
11. Penshurst Place, Kent
Located about 32 miles southeast of London, Penshurst Place is a 500-acre property with an intricate Tudor history. It was confiscated from the Duke of Buckingham, Edward Stafford, in 1521 and is believed to have been used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII.
Penshurst Place was handed to Henry VIII’s fourth wife Anne of Cleves under their divorce settlement, before it was later gifted by King Edward VI to his tutor and Steward, Sir William Sidney. It remains under stewardship of the Sidney family today and acts as a premier hotel and events venue.
Visitors can tour the house – including the impressive Baron’s Hall – and explore the beautiful gardens and grounds.
12. Speke Hall, Liverpool
Speke Hall is a Tudor mansion in Liverpool. Building of the Hall began in 1530 under Sir William Norris – a member of the English Parliament. Aside from its impressive Tudor design typical of the period, Speke Hall is also a great symbol of the religious upheaval that England witnessed during Henry VIII’s Break from the Catholic Church and the Reformation.
During the Reformation, Norris and his family remained Roman Catholics which was often at odds with the King’s new position as Head of the Church of England. As a result, Speke Hall features a priest hole and special observation hole built into the bedroom chimney. This was to allow all those in the house to see anyone approaching and warn the priest to hide away.
Today, visitors can explore the Tudor mansion and discover stories of how its past residents lived. There are also vast gardens to enjoy a leisurely stroll in.
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Final thoughts...
The Tudors are one of the most well-documented dynasties in history. From Henry VII’s victory at the Bosworth in 1485, all the way through to Elizabeth I’s final demise in 1603, the Tudor era was turbulent, scandalous, and continues to intrigue people across the globe.
And what better way to get a taste of Tudor life than by visiting the very places that make up its history? From the birth site of future kings, through to shipwrecks of famous battleships, there’s something magical about standing in the exact place that history was created.
For more inspiration, have a read of our articles 28 of the best historical sites to visit in the UK, and 14 stately homes to visit in the UK.
Are you passionate about Tudor history? What sites have you visited? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.