Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events in Coventry and Warwickshire - from street parties and picnics to beacon lighting

Tuesday 24th of May 2022 03:24 PM

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has inspired a right royal knees-up across Coventry and Warwickshire this May half-term.

Members of Shakespeare’s England, the destination management organisation for South Warwickshire and the surrounding areas, will be rolling out the red carpet and hanging up the bunting ready for a packed programme of regal activities during the school break and extended May Bank Holiday.

To mark the Queen’s historic 70-year reign there’s everything from outdoor picnics, exhibitions, street parties, and Platinum afternoon teas with croquet on the lawn, to family fun days and the launch of a royal blue Jubilee gin by an artisan Warwickshire distillery.

Platinum Jubilee street parties have been organised across the UK, including the Warwickshire towns of Alcester and Bidford-upon-Avon, which will also be hosting a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting and an array of vibrant community events.

Families can celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in style outdoors throughout the county. At Compton Verney you can pre-book a hamper for their Picnic in the Park from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 and get to see Morag Myerscough’s brand-new outdoor installation, The Village, in the Old Town Meadow – the site of the medieval village of Compton Murdak. Take in art, nature and the historic ‘Capability’ Brown landscape in 120 acres of parkland while you eat. A picnic for two is £34.95 with Pimm’s or prosecco available for over-18s. Picnic in the Park | Compton VerneyCompton Verney

Compton Verney has also created Queen’s Ju-Bee-Lee Family Fun Days and bee-themed activities celebrating the Platinum Jubilee on Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1, in partnership with the British Bee Keepers Association. Inspired by the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – a unique tree planting initiative – the gallery will celebrate the pollinators who help to keep the planet green, with drop-in sessions across two days, Queen’s Ju-bee-lee Family Fun Days | Compton VerneyCompton Verney

The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon has five days of special family events culminating in a Picnic in the Park in Bancroft Gardens on Saturday, June 4 between 2pm and 6pm, with family activities including flag making and memory making crafts. Families who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere can join an accessible picnic in The Dell Forest Gardens.

Other highlights include family workshops, a Jubilee Afternoon Tea in its Rooftop Restaurant and Memories of Her Majesty exhibition at Stratford Town Hall with an online gallery. The RSC’s iconic Theatre Tower will also be lit red, white and blue from Thursday, June 2–Saturday, June 4.

Helen Peters, CEO of Shakespeare’s England, said: “It is palpable to feel the excitement building as our first ever four-day Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday approaches and with so many brilliant events for people of all ages, we are truly spoilt for choice throughout our region.

“Her Majesty the Queen is wonderfully inspiring as a person and has done so much for Great Britain and tourism during her 70-year reign. It will be fantastic to be part of the celebrations in her honour.

“What’s also very exciting is that the Queen’s Baton Relay will be visiting Warwickshire this summer, including a number of our members, as part of its route around Britain for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“The Baton will spend 10 days in the West Midlands during its final journey through England. On Friday, July 22 the Queen's Baton Relay will visit the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth Castle, Warwick, and Whitnash Civic Centre and Library.

“This is in addition to the Birmingham 2022 bowls and cycling events taking place in Leamington Spa and Warwick, with half of the athletes camp based at the University of Warwick in Coventry.”

The full list of events includes:

  • Warwick Castle – A new Zog live show with puppetry and interactive routines launches this half-term joining the latest new Zog Playland and trail. Other attractions include the UK’s biggest bird of prey show, Horrible Histories Maze, resident bowman and Princess Tower, with 64 acres of stunning grounds and gardens to explore. https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/events/may-half-term/
  • Alcester – Alcester Town Council is hosting a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting on Thursday, June 2. Picnics are welcome on Centenary Field, Alcester, from 6pm. Entertainment includes a fancy-dress competition and parade, complimentary Jubilee cake, Alcester Victoria Silver Band and Alcester town choirs performing the Jubilee Anthem, culminating with the beacon lighting at 9.15pm.

On Sunday, June 5 there will be a Jubilee Street Party on the high street between 1pm–4pm. Residents are invited to bring their own tables, chairs and picnic, with entertainment provided. https://www.facebook.com/alcester.towncouncil; https://twitter.com/alcestertown

  • Bidford-upon-Avon – the town council is running four days of celebrations between June 2–5, ending with a village street party on Sunday, June 5.

Celebrations in the May half-term week include a Decorate your House and Garden competition, fancy dress competition, torch relay and lighting of the beacon, tennis and bowls club open afternoons, a Queen’s Jubilee concert by Bidford Community Choir and a talk at the library by acclaimed Scottish writer, academic and comedian A L Kennedy, an associate professor in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick. Platinum Jubilee 2022 - Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council (bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk)

  • British Motor Museum – Families are in for a ‘right royal day out’ at the Gaydon-based museum which is celebrating the royal cars in its collection. A number of vehicles from the Royal household are on display including the first bespoke royal Land Rover state review car, one of the fleet of vehicles used for Queen Elizabeth II’s first Commonwealth Tour and a 1971 Rover P5B, the personal property of HM the Queen but on long-term loan to the museum.

A free Family Tour takes place each day at 1.30pm, where children can help ‘royal reporters’ Jim and Claire find the next scoop on their tour around the royal cars – and they will be able to make a ‘royal car’ to take home. Half-term is topped and tailed by the UK Slot Car Festival on May 28-29 and the National Metro & Mini Show on June 5. https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/may-half-term

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden – In May half-term ‘Kid’s Rule!’. Families can immerse themselves in England’s story from hearing tales of Queen Elizabeth I’s visit to Kenilworth Castle, listening to stories about young monarchs through history and taking part in sword-fighting lessons in Sword School from Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, June 5. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/kenilworth-kids-rule-28-may-5-jun-2022/
  • Royal Shakespeare Company – The RSC is hosting five-days of free events to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee starting with family workshops in the Dell Forest Garden on Wednesday, June 1 and Thursday, June 2, 2-4pm. They include citizen science, writing activities and environmentally-friendly crafts suitable for all ages.

Memories of Her Majesty at Stratford Town Hall, on Friday, June 3, 10am–4pm sees the launch of a colourful and evocative one-day exhibition in partnership with Stratford community groups and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT). It shows how the Queen’s reign has brought families, friends and the people of Stratford-upon-Avon together, with photographs from SBT and RSC collections on display for the first time. An online gallery is also launching on June 2.

Picnic in the Park takes place in Bancroft Gardens on Saturday, June 4, 2pm-6pm and the RSC will offer family activities including flag-making and memory-making crafts. Between 2pm-4pm, the RSC will also host a relaxed and accessible picnic in The Dell Forest Gardens (on the banks of the Avon by Holy Trinity Church). Activities include a scent garden featuring plants and herbs from Shakespeare’s plays.

A special Jubilee Afternoon Tea will be served in its Rooftop Restaurant on Sunday, June 5 between 12.15pm-3.30pm. www.rsc.org.uk/rooftop-restaurant or 01789 403449.

  • The Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon – Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a delicious picnic hamper to enjoy with family and friends while listening to live acoustic music from Bird & The Badman on Sunday, June 5, who will be performing 1pm-1.45pm and 2.30pm–3.15pm. Available 12noon to 4pm, from £30 per person. Call to book on 01789 298682, https://www.theardenhotelstratford.com/event/platinum-picnic/

A Platinum Afternoon Tea is also available from May 18–June 30 including a glass of Veuve Cliquot Champagne, £42 per person. https://www.theardenhotelstratford.com/event/platinum-afternoon-tea/

  • Mallory Court Hotel and Spa, Leamington Spa – Dine like royalty for the Jubilee with a Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea experience which includes a glass of Champagne and canapes on arrival served in the hotel’s stunning gardens, followed by delicious traditional afternoon tea and a glass of fizz in a private dining room. £60 per person. https://www.mallory.co.uk/event/platinum-dining-afternoon-tea/

Alternatively, you can opt for a Platinum Picnic Afternoon Tea, which includes a glass of fizz for two, traditional afternoon tea, picnic blanket to use outdoors and a game of croquet on the lawn for two. £75 for two people. https://www.mallory.co.uk/event/platinum-afternoon-tea-picnic/

Call to book on 01926 330214. https://www.mallory.co.uk/events/

  • Coombe Abbey – Adventure Cinema will be screening three classic films Dirty Dancing, Grease Sing-a-Long and The Rocky Horror Picture Show outdoors in the picturesque grounds of Coombe Abbey Hotel, just outside Coventry, from May 27 to 29.

Limited tickets will be available for the open-air cinema. Guests are invited to bring along a blanket or camping chair to watch three classic films over three evenings with gates opening at 8.15pm and films starting at 9.45pm. Tickets for Adventure Cinema start at £9.50 for under-12s and a standard ticket is £14.50 with VIP options available. To book tickets visit adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/coombe-abbey-park

  • Stratford Butterfly Farm – Meet the Mini-Beast handling sessions will be running from May 28–June 1, as well as snake demonstrations and Butterfly & Beetle Life Cycle demonstrations daily in the Discovery Zone. The butterfly farm has also released 22 rare Phantasmal Poison Frogs and several blue-faced Parrot Finches, first discovered in north-eastern Australia in 1890. The frogs, a species of Poison Dart Frog, originate from Ecuador and are vibrantly coloured with green or yellow stripes.

In National Insect Week, June 20-26, visitors can also take part in daily demos on insects, their lifecycle and their habitats from 1.30pm–2.30pm. For more information including admission prices and group rates, visit www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or call 01789 299288.

  • Compton Verney - A must-see highlight for May half-term is Morag Myerscough’s brand-new outdoor installation, The Village, in the Old Town Meadow – the site of the medieval village of Compton Murdak. This new artwork is both a performance arena and an interactive visitor experience, where you can explore what has the look and feel of a two-dimensional village – echoing the first settlement beneath your feet, which dates back to 1099. The artist’s trademark use of eye-popping colour is also in full effect! Morag Myerscough | Compton VerneyCompton Verney

Throughout the half- term break, Compton Verney will be hosting two single-day holiday camps from 9.30am–4pm. The first, Print Makers Camp on May 31, will teach budding designers a range of printing and pattern techniques, using a variety of media inspired by Morag Myerscough’s bold and funky designs out in the grounds and Compton Verney’s remarkable, treasure-filled galleries. Print Makers Camp | Compton VerneyCompton Verney

In the second, Re-Fashion Makers Camp on June 1, young people will be guided through the fashion design process by a costume designer. From creating storyboards to illustrations, they will be given professional tips on upcycling clothes and making something truly fabulous with just a few accessories. Re-Fashion Makers Camp | Compton VerneyCompton Verney

During the May half-term young artists can take part in drop-in Spectacular Self Portraits sessions using upcycled and recycled materials, May 28–June 4, 10.30am-3.30pm, Spectacular Self Portraits - The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum; and an Art Masterclass: Figure Drawing on June 2, 10.30am–12.30pm; 2pm–4pm, Art Masterclass: Figure Drawing Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

  • Lunt Roman Fort, Baginton – Children can sculpt their own Roman offering and learn all about this ancient custom in a drop-in Gifts for the Gods workshop from Monday, May 30–Thursday, June 2, 10am–3pm. All materials provided. Book here: Gifts for the Gods Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
  • Coventry Transport Museum – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based play events for families will be running in May half-term under the theme: ‘crazy colourful cars’. They include Family Museum Engineers – Colourful Tracks on Saturday, May 28 bringing out tracks and colourful playthings for all ages to enjoy some imaginative play. Family Museum Engineers - Holiday Specials Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Children aged three-12 are invited to experiment with spray bottles, pumps, and wheels to figure out the best way to paint a car in a Make and Play Engineers Crazy Colourful Experiments workshops on May 31, June 2 and 4, Make & Play Engineers - Crazy Colourful Experiments Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Over the Jubilee Bank Holiday the Midlands Air Festival will be holding a Platinum Jubilee special event at Ragley Hall from June 2-4.  It will include the Red Arrows, nightfire, weekend air displays and hot air balloon launches. Camping and glamping for four-night stays will also be available within the grounds of this historic estate. https://www.midlandsairfestival.com/ 

  • Shakespeare Distillery – The team at the independent artisan spirit producer in Stratford-upon-Avon has crafted a completely new dry Jubilee gin which is royal blue in colour with a regal colour-changing surprise taking inspiration from a summer garden. To make it that extra bit special they have steeped some Butterfly Pea Flowers into the gin to turn it a lovely blue. http://www.shakespearedistillery.com/
  • Go Cotswolds – Limited spaces are available on tours of the Cotswolds during the May half-term and Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend by this award-winning Stratford-based family-run guided tour company. https://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/

For further information about Shakespeare’s England and its members visit www.shakespeares-england.co.uk

 

nic.erskine@cwg..., 24.05.2022 | Posted in