Face to face with the Tudors at the house that Bess built

Hardwick Hall, which was built by the infamous Bess of Hardwick, was transformed to give visitors an idea of what it would have been like in the 1500s complete with music and food.

Families were given the chance to try out traditional skills and activities, ranging from Elizabethan games to stone-carving and plasterwork which would have been carried out when the house was constructed.

A re-enactment group, called the Tudor Travellers, also revealed what life was like for the lower classes of the time, giving demonstrations of the kind of meals the poor would have been forced to make do with.

Rachel Albanese, Hardwick’s visitor manager, said the event was in its eighth year and was always popular with visitors.

She said this year’s had been a success and added: “This year we had an even bigger programme of activities planned.

“Families had the chance to take part in activities, try out new things and see what life was really like in Tudor times.

“With people walking around in full costume and the authentic sounds and smells, there was a great atmosphere.”