Celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee in Shakespeare Country!
Next month Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate 60 years on the throne. Celebrate this momentous occasion with a visit to Shakespeare Country which boasts a range of exciting activities and events for visitors to enjoy over the Jubilee weekend!
Stratford-upon-Avon will host a ‘picnic in the park’ on Monday 4 June from 12noon – 5pm when a brass band will entertain the crowds with music such as Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem. From 10pm – 10:30pm a beacon will be lit on Monument Field on the Welcombe Hills to coincide with a national chain of beacons, the first one lit in London by the Queen.
The market town of Southam will celebrate the Jubilee on Saturday 2 June from 12noon – 5pm with a street market, rides, games, prizes, food and drink, live bands, dance and street entertainers. From 7pm – 11pm there will be a party with live music, fireworks, a beer tent and a VIP lounge. Dress code will be red, white and blue.
Warwick will host its regular market and visitors can enjoy the Queen at Epsom on Saturday 2 June. On Sunday 3 June from 11am - 3pm there will be a big lunch in the Market Place when visitors can enjoy a Parade and a picnic with a pig roast, burgers, sausages and ice cream! A local radio station and Warwick’s Show Band will lead patriotic songs Land of Hope & Glory and God Save the Queen plus a beacon will be lit.
Warwick Castle will celebrate the Queen’s 60th year on the throne with a Royal Joust from the 2 – 10 June when the Castle grounds will host characters from throughout history.
At Shakespeare’s Birthplace from the 2 - 10 June, Queen Elizabeth I will be holding court, accompanied by William Shakespeare, and his company of players. There will be command performances of scenes from Shakespeare’s plays between 10am and 4pm daily. Children can have their faces painted in the Elizabethan style, and if they come in fancy dress, entry is free. A small exhibition exploring royal connections with Shakespeare’s Birthplace will open in the Shakespeare Centre, including examples of the signatures of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth II and William Shakespeare.
The popular Tudor Festival at Mary Arden’s Farm takes place from the 2 - 4 June and features a royal tournament with archery and jousting contests, a bouncy castle, and, for the brave visitor, Tudor rules football! Queen Elizabeth 1 will preside over the tournament and may select children as Pages and Princesses for the day. Children are invited to come in fancy dress to gain free entry. The activities will continue throughout the half term week.
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Gardens will host a special royal-themed Time Travellers event “Time Travellers Go…Royal” from 3 - 5 June from 11am - 5pm. Visitors can enjoy games and crafts fit for a King or Queen and meet some royal characters of times gone by.
Hill Close Gardens in Warwick are celebrating on Monday 4 June from 11am - 5pm with free entry into the Gardens plus celebratory lunches & teas! Visitors can enjoy special flower bed displays in royal colours plus plant sales. On the Tuesday there will be a garden party with marquees, tea, a Pimms bar and entertainment by Warwickshire County Boys Choir and violin duo Fiddlesticks. Tickets cost £12.50.
The Heritage Motor Centre will be celebrating with a special Royal Cars Exhibition accompanied by a week of family activities. Children will be encouraged to come dressed as Queens, Kings, princes and princesses and join in with crown and bunting making. The Exhibition will run from the 2 – 10 June with a selection of Royal vehicles including the Queens open topped Land Rover used back in the 50s as well as one of her own personal Land Rover Defenders which has not been on public view since the Golden Jubilee. 'Jubilee' Family Fun will take place from 2 – 10 June packed full of all things red, white and blue with special craft days on 5 & 7 June where families can make crowns and bunting. There will be a Jubilee Quiz and even a throne to sit on! A beacon will also be lit on the 4 June.
Compton Verney will celebrate with royal activities from the 2 – 8 June from 11am – 4pm. Children can make their own crown and pose as a Tudor monarch inspired by portraits of Kings and Queen in their British Portraits Collection. From 4 – 8 June, children under 5 can join storytellers to enjoy puppets Connie and Verne’s latest Diamond Jubilee adventure.
Celebrate with ‘Jailhouse Jive!’ on Saturday 2 June from 7.30pm - 11.00pm at the Old Courts in Warwick. Guests can enjoy an authentic 1950’s night out with live music from rock ‘n’ roll band Phoenix. Learn how to jive with the expert dance teacher then dance the night away in the historic surroundings of the Old Courts. Tickets cost £15 with a free buffet.
Visitors can start their celebrations early at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum during their free family reminiscence and craft event ‘Royal Families’ on 19 May from 2pm - 4pm. Families can bring any royal objects they own, and these, along with the Herbert's collection, will inspire and start conversations about royal weddings and special events both past and present. The items will provoke stories and memories that the adults can tell the children. In the second half of the session, families will each make a special commemorative item for the Diamond Jubilee to take home.
Guests to the Menzies Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon can enjoy a Royal Afternoon Tea from the 1 – 5 June. The promotion includes sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea including a glass of Champagne for £17.50 per person.
The Eden Hotel Collection (which includes The Mallory Court & The Arden Hotel) will give guests who may be celebrating a special anniversary or engagement around the Jubilee, the opportunity to do something different. Guests can book in for a traditional British afternoon tea, Champagne and a diamond! This sparkling treat is the perfect way to surprise a partner with a piece of jewellery for a proposal, or to mark an anniversary. The General Manager will meet with the guest beforehand to discuss the design of a unique piece of jewellery which will then be commissioned by a local jewellery designer. Price on enquiry!
Celebrate in true British style with a Jubilee Spa Break for two at The Ardencote Manor. The offer is valid from 1 - 30 June and costs £189.00 PER PERSON. Includes a traditional Afternoon Tea, use of the Spa Facilities, two nights' accommodation, full English Breakfast on both mornings, a three course dinner and a 'Jubilee Spa Ritual'.
For married couples with the names Elizabeth or Philip (or Liz or Phil), a number of attractions are offering a special promotion during the Jubilee weekend. Proof of ID is required and certain rules apply. The Open Road will offer a free day’s car hire for one married couple to be taken that weekend ONLY. Compton Verney will offer free entry to married couples from 2 - 5 June inclusive. Drayton Manor Theme Park will offer couples free entry on Tuesday 5 June …wearing royal robes and crowns is optional. The Eden Hotel Collection will offer a free glass of bubbly when a couple has afternoon tea/lunch/dinner. 'White-Sails' accommodation in Stratford-upon-Avon will offer a complimentary 20cl bottle of champagne if a couple books over the Jubilee weekend. Seek the Magic in Stratford-upon-Avon will offer a free glass stein each of Scintillating Solution and The Falstaff Experience will allow free entry over that weekend.
For accommodation, special offers and more information visit the official website: Shakespeare-Country.co.uk.
