WITH authentic music, costumes and food, it will be a chance to time travel back to Southampton ’s Tudor past.

As part of an exciting new programme of events and activities themed around the Tudor years, the Michaelmas Fair will see the clock turned back to the city’s most illustrious era.

The festival on Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30, will be a key weekend in the Tudor Revels project.

This is aimed at reconnecting the city with one of its most famous chapters in history, to a time of bustling merchants, street buskers, visiting monarchs and their entourages.

Organizer Dr Cheryl Butler said: “Tudor Revels was inspired by the wealth of original documents in Southampton’s archives. We wanted to bring those to life and shed light on a turbulent but largely unknown part of Southampton’s history.

“It’s a celebration of Southampton and its strong Tudor past. This weekend is the highlight of all the project’s work and really does have something for everyone.”

Bugle Street, St Michael’s Square and the surrounding area of Southampton’s old town will be the focus of the festival which will include music workshops in singing and lute, concerts, Tudor fun and games and a chance to explore St Michael’s Church.

The newly restored Tudor House and gardens will also host a number of events and the Sarah Siddons Fan Club will perform productions based on true stories from the period.

The living Tudor Market sees the colour, entertainment and period crafts of the time come to life.

The costumed townsfolk and procession will add hustle and bustle to the city’s streets.

Michaelmas is the feast of Saint Michael.

Because it falls near the equinox, it was associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days, but the clocks do not go back until the end of October.