The UK will be rocking tomorrow (May 6) with the coronation of Charles III. But if you’re not already in London, odds are there’s a TV remote with your name on it. But not all is lost: the capital, and the rest of the country, will be celebrating for weeks and months to come, and visitors will find a host of special events and exhibitions, experiences, hotel packages, plus food and drink – all dedicated to the UK’s royal history, and the remarkable milestone of its present king.
Here’s a look at how to still get a taste of the historic occasion on an upcoming visit to the UK:
Special exhibitions
Crown to Couture, Kensington Palace: At the largest exhibition ever staged at Kensington Palace, visitors will be taken on an immersive journey through the palace. Over 200 objects are on display including Lady Gaga’s luminous green MTV Awards dress and the world-famous Silver Tissue Gown worn at the court of Charles II. (Through Oct. 29).
Style & Society – Dressing the Georgians, Buckingham Palace: The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace is exploring what the Georgians wore, displaying a series of archival pieces and fine art collections. The 1700s were a revolutionary period of trade, travel and technology which fuelled fashion trends across all levels of society, and highlights demonstrating this include a court dress on loan from the Fashion Museum Bath, recorded as having been worn at court in the 1760s. (Through Oct. 8)
Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, Hampton Court Palace: A designated collection of national and international importance containing 10,000 items of historic dress from the 16th century to the present day, and a history of fashion and life at court. Royal fashions through the ages include George III; Queen Victoria; Princess Margaret; Diana, Princess of Wales; and the Queen Elizabeth II. Book a behind the scenes tour with curators for media and influencers.
Royal Connection Exhibition, Blenheim Palace: The palace celebrates its centuries-old relationship with the Royal Family in a major new exhibition of previously unseen artefacts, photo albums, robes, crowns, and coronets (Through July 31)
Hotel Packages
DUKES London: The Royal Connoisseur Experience at DUKES London includes a Royal Breakfast with Exmoor salted caviar and a glass of champagne, traditional afternoon cream tea and a Royal four-course dinner menu created by Nigel Mendham, Executive Chef at Great British Restaurant (GBR). Rates start at £2,345 ($3,992) for two nights in an Executive Room. (Through Dec. 20)
Fingal Luxury Floating Hotel, Edinburgh: The hotel offers a special Coronation package with a stay in the luxury of your own cabin, a bottle of Moët awaiting to raise a toast to the crowning of the new King. The offer also includes a private tour on board The Royal Yacht Britannia to hear fascinating stories of Royal life on board while touring the State Apartments with Britannia’s own highly knowledgeable tour guides.
Royal at Hedingham Castle, Essex: Fit for a king or a queen, The Royal Chamber at Hedingham Castle has a four-poster bed so guests can experience the royal treatment in the heart of the castle with an “en suite bath” in front of the digital TV (disguised in a heralded bespoke open up fireplace), views across the Essex Countryside. There is also an Escape room experience, dining on the lake and private catering available. There are also properties located around the castle’s medieval park and nearby.
Relais Hotel Henley on Thames, Greenwich: The Relais Henley is a waterside retreat that was frequented by King Charles I and includes the room where he stayed and his coat of arms dating back to 1632. The package includes overnight accommodation in a riverside room, a celebration dinner in The Clipper Restaurant, a special Coronation cocktail, private cruise on the river Thames with a champagne picnic, and a viewing of King Charles’ I insignia. (Through Sept. 30)
The Lygon Arms, The Cotswolds: A three-night ‘King and Country’ package in the 600-year-old coaching inn includes dinner, bed, and breakfast, and the opportunity to revel in the venue’s royal past with a selection of the best English country gardens – a passion of the new King – nearby.
Food & Drink
The Goring, London: The only hotel to have been granted a Royal Warrant for hospitality services and a firm favourite amongst the family, and a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palaces, The Goring will be serving a decadent Coronation-themed Afternoon Tea. Served in the Veranda overlooking the flourishing garden where some of The Royal Family’s favourite plants and flowers can be discovered, guests can enjoy an exquisite menu of fabulous cakes and sandwiches rumoured to be King Charles III’s favourite, topped off with a glass of Champagne and followed by warm scones decorated with the outline of King Charles III profile, horse carriage moulded chocolates and intricate crown shaped treats. (Through May 28)
Cliveden House, Berkshire: Cliveden House has hosted every British monarch since King George I and is celebrating this with a special afternoon tea for 2023 (all year).
The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh: Visitors can enjoy some specially selected whiskies which, through the ages, have been given the royal seal of approval. A special version of the Gold Tour entitled ‘Scotland’s Majestic Malts’ is available every day throughout May highlighting the regal heritage of Scotch Whisky. The tour ends with a visit to the world’s largest collection of Scotch whiskies, which includes many bottlings associated with Scotland’s royal heritage. (May)
Retail & New Products
Highgrove House, the King’s private residence in the Cotswolds, has released a collection of Coronation gifts to commemorate this landmark occasion. The gardens at Highgrove House are open for public tours through October.
British ceramics company Emma Bridgewater is offering a limited-edition celebratory line of mugs, plates, tea towels and homewares to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Fortnum & Mason has released its Coronation Collection, including special blends of tea and coffee, biscuits, and royal versions of their tea towel and Bag for Life.
Windsor & Eton Brewery have announced a new beer to celebrate the Coronation. It will be their first 100% organic beer, brewed in the heart of Windsor using organic barley from the local Royal Farm and organic English hops.
Royal Windsor Pink Gin: Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, has launched a pink gin, infused with raspberries grown at Windsor Castle and mixed with a blend of sweet and fragrant botanicals. All profits from sales of the gin go to The Royal Collection Trust and help fund the care, conservation and programs of the Royal Collection.
Other Attractions
Coronation Bench Trail at the Tower of London: Ahead of the Coronation, the Tower of London invited schools around the UK to take part in a competition to design their own bench, displaying the values they think are most important in this new era. Keep an eye out for 14 specially designed benches around the Tower of London while touring the rest of the historic site’s royal-themed attractions.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London: The ultimate Royal experience in the heart of London’s Covent Garden Boasting centuries of royal credentials, The Lane is the only theatre in the world still operating under a genuine royal charter. It is also the only theatre in the world with two Royal Boxes and a theatre that has been famously visited by every reigning monarch since the Restoration in 1660.
Carnaby & Marylebone: The 14 streets of colourful Carnaby, will feature a dazzling Union Flag and Crown installation to mark the royal occasion. The oversized crown sits at the junction of Carnaby Street and Ganton Street above the 3D shimmer Union Flag which is adorned with 30,000 red, white, and blue shimmer discs. Oversized bulbs on Ganton Street will be illuminated red white and blue for the celebrations, plus the festoon lights on Kingly Street will also be illuminated. Marylebone Village will be celebrating the coronation with bunting along the high street.
FAST FACTS
- VisitBritain’s latest international consumer research shows the draw of Britain’s history and heritage in driving inbound tourism. The chance to explore Britain’s history and heritage is one of the top sought after activities for potential visitors, as well as visiting Britain’s iconic cultural attractions.
- VisitBritain’s research shows that about 11 million international visits a year to the UK include a visit to castles and historic houses.
- Windsor Great Park in England, managed by the Crown Estate, was the most-visited attraction in the UK in 2022 with 5.6 million visits.