Elizabeth's reign is sometimes described as a Golden Age because of the art and literature produced, the thriving theatres and the advances in science and in exploration. It was also a peaceful and S. T. A. B. L. E. time when many people were becoming richer.

Science

In medicine, the writings of Vesalius (on anatomy) slowly became accepted.
There were breakthroughs in navigation (such as the astrolabe) and maths.

Theatre

Theatre became far more popular and more acceptable.
New theatres were built, such as the The Red Lion and The Globe.
Great plays were written, e.g. those by Shakespeare and Marlowe.

Art

It was a successful time for other arts such as:

Music
Painting

Buildings

The growing wealth of the gentry led to large country houses being built (such as Hardwick Hall), using the latest Renaissance styles.

Literature

As well as the plays and poetry of Shakespeare there were other great writers who produced poems and plays that are still admired today - e.g. Edmund Spenser.

Exploration

There were dramatic voyages around the world that brought great wealth, new discoveries and increased English power.

Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe 1577-1580, returning with enormous amounts of treasure.
John Hawkins developed the power of the navy and made money from the slave trade.
Sir Walter Raleigh laid the foundations for future colonies in America.

Not Golden?

However, some people argue that it was not a Golden Age as there were still large amounts of poverty and superstition. Scientific understanding, especially medicine, was very basic, and society was not perhaps all that sophisticated: torture and execution were allowed and blood sports such as bear-baiting were popular.

Why Elizabethan England was a Golden Age:

Science
Theatre
Art
Buildings
Literature
Exploration

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

An Elizabethan Golden Age?