A host of Tudor activities are heading to the Gardens of Easton Lodge this month.

On Sunday, April 23, the gardens will be honouring their Tudor heritage with activities including archery, trying on armour, basketry, net and charm making, willow weaving and quill writing.

There will also be a range of Tudor games and St George's Day fun - with a dragon trail for children.

The Tudor Day activities at the gardens will be led by the Companye of Merrie Folke, who will bring the history of Easton Lodge to life with their authentic costumes and knowledge of Tudor customs.

Dunmow Broadcast: The Companye of Merrie Folke will lead the Tudor Day activities at the Gardens of Easton LodgeThe Companye of Merrie Folke will lead the Tudor Day activities at the Gardens of Easton Lodge (Image: The Gardens of Easton Lodge)

As well as telling the story of Easton Lodge and its original owner Henry Maynard, visitors will have a chance to taste their Tudor fayre.

Jill Goldsmith, one of the trustees of the gardens, said: "The Merrie Folke are such experts and enthusiasts that the Tudor Day is bound to be great fun, as well as a learning experience!

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"And the trust’s archivists have also been working hard to add to our displays on Henry Maynard and his Tudor mansion."

During Tudor times, Queen Elizabeth I gave the estate at Little Easton to Henry Maynard, in recognition of his work as the right-hand person to William Cecil, Lord Burghley.

Cecil was the Queen's foremost adviser, Lord Chancellor, and some say Spymaster in Chief - with spies across England and France to ensure he was one step ahead of any Catholic plots to kill the Queen and restore a Catholic monarchy.

Dunmow Broadcast: Archery is one of the activities on Tudor Day at the Gardens of Easton LodgeArchery is one of the activities on Tudor Day at the Gardens of Easton Lodge (Image: The Gardens of Easton Lodge)

Rather than rebuilding the medieval manor house next to the church, Maynard decided to build a new mansion on the site of a hunting lodge, calling it Easton Lodge.

On Tudor Day - as with other Sunday open days in the gardens - there will be plant, craft and other local information stalls, and activities for children.

The trust's volunteers will provide hot and cold drinks, bacon, cheese or hummus rolls and a selection of homemade cakes.

On April 23 the gardens open at 11am and close at 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

To book in advance go to www.eastonlodge.co.uk.