There will be bunting galore, Union Jacks waving and lots of royal excitement in May as we see the Coronation of King Charles III.
The date of the King’s Coronation falls on Saturday 6 May, with an extra Bank Holiday granted on Monday 8 May – making the Coronation weekend an extra Bank Holiday weekend this May.
Whether you live locally to the New Forest and are looking for things to do, or whether you plan to take advantage of the long weekend and travel here, you’ll find plenty of majestic things to do.
Foodie celebrations fit for a king!
If you love your food then you are in for a treat. Take a look at some of these tempting events and offers…
The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu is running an Afternoon Tea Special throughout May that is inspired by the King's Coronation costing £35 per person or £50 per person to include a glass of Hattingley Kings Cuvée.
Image - Montagu Arms Hotel
The New Forest Inn at Emery Down will be serving up specials throughout the month of May celebrating the King and local produce.
On the Coronation Day, Balmer Lawn Hotel will be hosting street party event, with a traditional afternoon tea and featuring a live music DJ taking you through the eras. The Coronation will be live screened on TV. £29.95 per adult with children half price. On Sunday, the hotel will be serving up a royal roast Sunday lunch, including a set 2 or 3 course meal (£32.50 or £37.50 with children half price), a DJ throughout the afternoon, their own Jester performing table trickery, a royal trail for the children, face painting and crafts for the children and much more.
Image - Balmer Lawn Hotel
Throughout May, New Forest Shortbread have a royal promotion running: a box of Guild of Fine Food award-winning All Butter Original and a box of Earl Grey New Forest Shortbread for only £10! Whether you purchase it as a gift for someone else, or a little treat for yourselves, it’s sure to be tasty.
Join in with some of our town and village celebrations
Join the community atmosphere by heading to some of the events taking place in our towns and villages to mark the Coronation.
Celebrate the afternoon away on the clifftop at Lepe Country Park on Sunday 7 May from 12pm to 4pm. Bring along a picnic, enjoy the sounds of the Jingle Ladies and the New Forest Brass and have a go at some circus skills!
Pop along to Fordingbridge for the town’s Coronation Big Picnic event, which will also take place on Sunday 7 May from 2.30pm to 10pm. The picnic is free to attend and free parking for the Sunday in the town car parks has been confirmed too. Bring your picnic blanket, pick up some local produce and join in!
Image - Fordingbridge
From 11am on the Sunday, Lymington’s Woodside Park will be buzzing with the Coronation Parade and Picnic in the Park. There will be live music from 12noon as well as a dog show, children's races, sporting activities, a kiddie’s funfair and food and drink stalls. Events run until 4pm.
On the Sunday afternoon, Lymington Town Band and the Encore Choir will be performing at Milford on Sea Community Centre in a celebratory concert. Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 on the door.
Order a special royal ready-made picnic from The Forest Foodie, perfect for taking along to community events, into the forest, to the coast or to enjoy in the garden at home! Available 5 to 7 May. In your picnic you'll find delicious delights including Coronation chicken, orzo salad, cucumber sandwiches, scotch eggs, scones, brownies and more.
Take part in some Royal fun at local attractions and activity centres
Foxlease Activities Centre, near Lyndhurst, will be holding a garden party to celebrate the King’s Coronation on Monday 8 May, 11am-3pm. Explore the site on a treasure hunt, create a ‘grow your own plant’ and take part in the fancy dress competition. Join in with circus skills and giant games and find out more about Foxlease. £5 per person (4 years old and under go free).
Image - Foxlease Activities Centre
Where better to celebrate the Kings Coronation than a castle built by a King?! Head to the majestic Hurst Castle for lots of themed fun over the Bank Holiday weekend! The little princes and princesses can make and decorate their own royal crown, try on some fancy outfits and take a perch on the throne for a 'Royal Portrait'.
Book your stay for a weekend of adventures
Be a part of all the action at some of our accommodation providers across the Bank Holiday weekend.
Sandy Balls Holiday Village will be running events across the weekend including quizzes, competitions and arts and crafts for the little ones on the Friday, Coronation Day celebrations and colour throw on the Saturday (with the opportunity to watch the Coronation too). On Sunday, there will be a baking competition, dog show and The Big Lunch! Bring your picnics and blankets and watch the Coronation Concert and party into the evening. On Monday, join the nation as they head out into the forest and clean the local landscape to make a difference in our community as part of the Big Help Out.
Image - Sandy Balls Holiday Village
Back of Beyond Touring and Glamping Park, near Ringwood, will be hosting events across the Coronation weekend including a royal-themed quiz following the live screening of the Coronation and a street-party themed afternoon on the Sunday, where guests can pre-book a royal-themed afternoon tea. The site currently has a couple of vacancies left for the Bank Holiday weekend for camping/touring and glamping.
Image - Back of Beyond
Places to stay across the New Forest are likely to book up ahead of the Coronation weekend so we would recommend booking soon to avoid disappointment.
Do keep an eye on our what’s on pages for other events and be sure to tag your Coronation photos with us across our social channels.