The Coronation of King Charles lll and The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday, 6 May 2023 with events taking place across the country. Suffolk’s cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds will be celebrating the Coronation Weekend with events and activities for all to enjoy in the town and surrounding area.
Giffords Hall Vineyard Coronation Grand Tour 1 May
Giffords Hall Vineyard is offering a special Coronation Grand Tour including a free toast to King Charles lll on Monday, 1 May. Guides will talk through the grape varieties, pruning and trellising techniques as you walk through the vineyard followed by a visit to the winery and barrel hall to hear more about the winemaking and ageing processes. Starting at 11am, the one hour tour ends with a tutored tasting of three still wines and liqueurs and the toast to The King (over 18s only for the tasting). The price is £25 per person, children under 18 free. Book online at www.giffordshall.co.uk or call 01284 830799.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral English Royal Heraldry Exhibition 2-16 May
A colourful exhibition of English royal heraldry will be on display in St Edmundsbury Cathedral between 2 and 16 May. Presented by the Suffolk Heraldry Society, the display will show the changes in English royal heraldry from just before the Norman conquest to the present day with examples of the arms of the Kings and Queens through the ages. Situated in the heart of Bury St Edmunds alongside the Abbey Gardens, the cathedral is open from 10am until 4pm, entry is free but donations gratefully received. For more details about St Edmundsbury Cathedral visit www.stedscathedral.org or call 01284 748720.
Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket, Royal Afternoon Tea 3-7 May
Enjoy a Royal Afternoon Tea in Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa in Newmarket between 3 and 7 May (2.30pm-4pm). Served in Squires Restaurant, or on the terrace overlooking the beautifully manicured gardens, the celebratory menu has many subtle nods to His Majesty The King. It includes a selection of traditional finger sandwiches and baked savouries, followed by delicious warm homemade scones and a selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries inspired by the reigning monarch. From £28 person including a selection of teas or cafetière coffee. Book online at www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk or call 01638 663175.
Celebrate The Coronation at Abbeygate Cinema 6 May
Abbeygate Cinema in the heart of Bury St Edmunds will be hosting a community gathering to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, 6 May between 10am and 1pm. The momentous event will be screened live on the built-in 4K TV in the cinema’s new function space, while local foodie Ginger & Olive will provide picnic boxes with a selection of nibbles and treats to be enjoyed as you watch, vegetarian and vegan options available. Seats can be reserved at £3 per person including a hot drink, or £20 with the picnic box by calling the cinema on 01284 754477, www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk.
Coronation Royal-Tea Garden Party at the Priory Hotel 6 May
Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III at a Royal-Tea Garden Party at the Priory Hotel, close to Bury St Edmunds town centre on 6 May (12pm-3pm). The scrumptious afternoon tea will be served in the hotel’s beautiful garden. Tickets £10 adults, £5 children aged 3-12 years, under 3s free, book online at www.prioryhotel.co.uk or call 01284 766181.
Coronation party at the Constitutional Club 6 May
Bury St Edmunds town centre Constitutional Club is holding a Coronation Party on 6 May (2pm-6pm). The afternoon’s entertainment includes garden games and a special performance by singer Ashlea Lauren, as well as a barbecue. Tickets £5 per person including a burger and celebratory glass of Prosecco. For details visit www.conclubbse.com or call 01284 754113.
Coronation Garden Party at The Ickworth Hotel 6 May
The Ickworth Hotel, situated on a National Trust estate near Bury St Edmunds, is hosting a fun-filled family garden party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May (5pm-8pm). There will be a range of activities and games for all ages plus a barbecue with a choice of tasty options for purchase. Adult tickets are £10* per person (excluding food and drink) children can join the fun for free. Book online at www.ickworthhotel.co.uk or call 01284 735350. *This event is free of charge for guests staying overnight at the hotel on 6 May.
National Horseracing Museum Coronation Trail 6-8 May
Newmarket’s National Horseracing Museum is celebrating the Coronation with a family-friendly trail available between 6 and 8 May (10am-5pm). Follow the trail and gather clues as you explore the former five-acre Palace House estate of King Charles II. The trail is included within the cost of general admission, £15 adults, under 16s free. Tickets can be bought on the day or online at www.nhrm.co.uk, Tel: 01638 667314; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Kentwell Hall’s Coronation Bank Holiday Weekend 6-8 May
Escape The Coronation’s formal proceedings and enjoy the beauty and peace of Kentwell Hall’s gardens where no-one will trouble you about kings and crowns. One of England’s finest Tudor houses, the Hall stands within an extensive moat and
nearly 30 acres of formal gardens and grounds. For the Coronation weekend only, 6-8 May (11am-4pm), entry prices have been reduced and will be from £15 per adult, £10 for 8-15 year olds and £4 for children aged 3-7 years, under 2s free. For details and to book online visit www.kentwellhall.co.uk or call 01787 310207.
Family craft activities at Melford Hall 6-8 May and 13-14 May
Melford Hall in Long Melford is marking the Coronation with a variety of fun family hands-on craft activities 6-8 May and 13-14 May (12pm-4pm). Children can make a royal crown for their teddy, create a ‘stained glass’ roundel or create a mini King Charles figure. Families can also take part in the special Coronation trail. The much loved family home of the Hyde Parkers, Melford Hall has lots of stories to share about family life including visits by the Hyde Parker’s cousin Beatrix Potter, see the original Jemima Puddle-duck toy that she gave to them. It was also visited by Queen Elizabeth I in 1578. Tickets priced from £11 for adults and £5.50 children can be booked online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/melford-hall or call 01787 379228.
King’s Coronation Sunday lunch Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket 7 May
Dine in style and celebrate The King’s Coronation with Sunday lunch on 8 May in the award winning Squires Restaurant at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket. Executive Head Chef, Lee Cooper has created a bespoke menu using the finest locally sourced ingredients delivering an exceptional three-course luncheon fit for a King. Served between 12pm and 2.30pm priced at £45 per person (£25 deposit per person required at the time of booking). Book online at www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk or call 01638 663175.
Coronation Robes exhibition at Ickworth until 8 May
In celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III, National Trust Ickworth is displaying the coronation robes worn by Theodora, 4th Marchioness of Bristol in the Rotunda until 8 May (11am-3pm). Only seen a handful of times before, these robes are usually carefully packed away in storage but are now shown in all their regal glory along with other artefacts she kept from each day. The exhibition is included in the Ickworth admission price from £12 adults and £6 children. For more details visit
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/ickworth-estate or call 01284 735270.
Bury Bach Choir Coronation concert 20 May
The Bury Back Choir will be performing Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Haydn’s Nelson Mass on 20 May (7.30pm-9.45pm) in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in honour of the new King. Mozart completed his Coronation Mass in 1779 just in time for its premier on Easter Sunday in Salzburg cathedral, Years later, at the Imperial Court in Vienna, it became the preferred music for royal and imperial coronations and services of thanksgiving, and acquired the title of Coronation Mass. Haydn’s Nelson Mass is described by his biographer as arguably the composer’s greatest single composition. Tickets priced at £27 (reserved seats), £22 and £17 (unreserved); under-30s half price. Book online at www.burybachchoir.co.uk or call the box office on 01284 758000.
Grand Coronation Charity Concert, St Mary’s Church 27 May
All are welcome at the free Grand Coronation Charity Concert by the Royal Anglian Band at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds on 27 May (1pm-3.30pm). St Mary’s is the final resting place of Mary Tudor, Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk and Henry VIII’s favourite sister (after whom Henry’s ship the Mary Rose was named).
For information visit www,stmaryschurchbse.org or call 07561 334695.
More information
For more information about the Coronation events, Bury St Edmunds royal connections and where to stay in Bury St Edmunds visit www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/coronation-of-king-charles-iii.
