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Visit the Greensleeves Project at Athelhampton, Dorset

Updated: Mar 26

A man's hand, with a red and gold ring on his little finger, rests on a woman's shoulder, trying to attract her attention. She is dressed in a green silk gown with gold trim, as well as pearl necklaces and gold chains and a lace ruff trimmed with teardrop shaped gold spangles.

As you explore over 20 rooms at Athelhampton, there’s the chance to step into the world of one of England’s most enduring melodies, with the Greensleeves Project Exhibition.

Associated with all manner of things, from Henry VIII to ice cream vans, there’s the chance at Athelhampton to discover the truth behind this evocative piece of Tudor music. The words and gifts of the rejected lover are brought to life here, with the exquisitely reconstructed Tudor clothing created by skilled historians and craftspeople using period techniques.


A woman's girdle of black velvet trimmed with gold and pearls is pinned into place over her gown. Her gown is green silk trimmed with gold lace, with white sleeves embroidered in black and gold, and lace cuffs

Each garment is directly mentioned in the song, and in its reconstruction it gives us the chance to discover deeper meaning woven into the details of the words and the costume.

Shown in our small on-site cinema is a beautiful short film, where the story of Greensleeves is acted out to the song. Shot here at Athelhampton, the house and gardens become the stage, uniting this place with timeless craft and music.


People in both modern and Tudor dress are gathered around a table covered in paper, pens, and cameras and microphones in the Great Hall at Athelhampton House in Dorset

We’re open daily, for you to come and step into the world of Greensleeves for yourself.

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