Coronation Events in South Devon

South Devon will be the place to be during the historic King’s Coronation Weekend. To celebrate the Coronation, the UK have been given an extra bank holiday – lucky us! With plenty happening around the region why not pay us a visit from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th May to join in with all the festivities! 

Many of our cities, towns and villages will be holding their own celebrations, as well as individual hotels and attractions so read on to find out what’s on! 

The English Riviera 

Torquay, Paignton and Brixham have a jam-packed programme of events planned over the weekend. To start the celebrations, the official ceremony will be live steamed on Torre Abbey Meadows in Torquay with Bays Brewery and other local caterers on site to keep bellies full and faces smiling. At the end of the day a spectacular firework display will occur at 9:30pm from Paignton seafront. 

Continuing the celebrations at Torre Abbey Meadows, on Sunday you can enjoy an afternoon of live entertainments and performances before the Royal Coronation Concert is streamed on the big screen. Throughout the afternoon there’s plenty to keep families entertained with a range of activities and games.  

Brixham are organising six days of celebration starting on Wednesday 3rd May which include a Coronation breakfast, music performances, a parade and a firework display.  

Newton Abbot and Teignbridge 

There’s lots planned in Newton Abbot for the Coronation weekend. The streets will come alive with music on the 6th May, (well, Courtenay Street to be precise!), plus street performers and balloon modelling for the little ones. Meanwhile a screening of the Coronation will be provided at Newton Abbot library. On Sunday 7th May head down to Courtenay Park from midday for a community party, complete with live music, face painting, children’s activities and more! 

In Dawlish there will also be a screening of the Coronation on the 6th, followed by a family film at 6pm on the Lawn. Whilst on Sunday there will be live entertainment and activities, plus a quiz in the marquee. On the bank holiday Monday head down to the town for a street market and refreshers fair and a sing-along celebration will conclude the festivities.   

Teignmouth have some exciting plans for the weekend. The DoomRiders will be taking part in the Royal Ride on Monday 8th May, and over the weekend you can expect live music, stalls, fantastic fresh food and fancy dress competitions! 

If you’re close to Kingsteignton be sure not to miss out on their festivities as they’ll be providing a screening of the Coronation plus an afternoon of live entertainment. Back Beach Boyz, Liberty Sisters and Steve Parr is just some of the live music you can expect to see. Plus for the little ones, they’ll have a pirate assault course, large bouncy castle, giant Jenga, hook-a-duck and other lawn party games. Kingsteignton have also organised a raffle and auction with amazing prizes including football memorabilia.  

Plymouth 

A free public screening of the Coronation will be available at Plymouth’s Guuldhall on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th May alongside live music, activities, entertainment and a street party zone. Around the city many restaurants, bars and other venues will be showcasing great food and drink offers throughout the weekend too.  

South Hams 

If you find yourself in the South Hams wondering what Coronation events are happening, head down to Salcombe for the weekend to partake in their fantastic events.  A community cream tea will be served in the White Strand car park from 3pm and at 4pm the Great British Fancy Dress competition will take place. In the evening a flotilla of decorated boats will parade down the estuary with a prize for the best dressed! On Sunday you’ll find the Big Lunch at Salcombe Primary School in which people are invited to come along with their own food and refreshment for a big community feast. Plus, traditional sports day games for all ages, and a bouncy castle for the kiddies.  

In Totnes however, you can partake in the two-day fiesta of fun and frolic on the Great Lawn at Dartington Hall. The outdoor space will be abuzz with a massive party with a line up of unmissable bands, top DJs, kids games, tasty grub and a bar stocked to the brim with every cold tipple under the sun. 

East Devon 

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce will be staging a royal street party to celebrate the coronation on Sunday 7th May from 4pm – 7pm. If you attended the Jubilee Street Party in Sidmouth you can expect a similar event here; the party will take place in the Market Square and surrounding streets, and each table will seat six people. Partygoers will be able to enjoy music from Sidmouth Town Band and local group Vine and Dandy. According to the locals, no town does a street party better than Sidmouth! 

Budleigh Information Centre in Budleigh Salterton are hosting a special street party on the high street on Sunday 7th May from 12:30pm – 5:30. To tie in with the regally themed occasion, people are being prompted to get dressed up in their finery and dress their table in a sea of red, white and blue. Just remember to bring along a picnic hamper or make use of the many great local traders offering food and drink to support local businesses. Prior to the street party, Seachange in Budleigh Salterton will host an afternoon tea party in its garden on Saturday 6th May.  

Meanwhile in Honiton, residents and visitors are invited to bring their picnic hampers, tables, chairs and blankets to the Allhallows Playing Field on Sunday. The Coronation Big Lunch has been organised by the Honiton Town Council and will be providing day-long entertainment from 11am – 10pm from local bands and even a disco! 

Exeter 

Coronation picnics are being held at Princesshay, St Thomas Parish Church and St Katherine’s Priory on Sunday 7th May with a range of other activities and entertainments throughout the day. The Royal Albert Memorial Music, Exeter Historic Guildhall and the Cathedral also have special royal-themed exhibitions occurring too.  

West Devon 

Tavistock have pulled out all the stops this year for the Coronation to provide a magnificent and nostalgic day for the whole family. Kicking off the celebrations in the heart of the town is traditional maypole dancing and a street party with cream teas and plenty of Pimms.  

Mad About Swing will perform, getting the crowd on their feet with some traditional swing dancing, plus more children’s entertainment throughout the day. In the evening from 5pm – 8pm you can join Miss Ivy for her Coronation Street Food Festival in the Guildhall Car Park too.  

Alongside these events, a number of street parties and fetes will be happening across the region. If you’re looking for a celebration event at a specific venue, read on to find out more.  

Coronation at the Castle Afternoon Tea, Bovey Castle, Newton Abbot (1st May – 31st May) 

Located in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a beautiful 19th century estate offering breath-taking views across the moors and a wonderful place to rest your head for the night or to enjoy a luxurious, freshly-cooked meal. 

Throughout May in honour of the King’s Coronation they are offering a royal afternoon tea celebration complete with Champagne and a Royal Twist! Head to their website to book as the afternoon tea is made fresh daily and must be notified at least 24 hours in advance. 

Celebrate the King’s Coronation at Leonards Cove, Stoke Fleming (6th May) 

Overlooking the beautiful South Devon coastline in Stoke Fleming is Leonards Cove Holiday Village. On the 6th May the site will be transformed for guest looking for a scenic place to celebrate the coronation.  

Watch the main event on the big screen at Radius 7, their chic restaurant and bar, and enjoy entertainment from their very own Viki Philip in the marquee from 1pm. An unlimited BBQ and buffet salad bar will be available from 1pm – 3pm, and you’ll also receive a free drink with your tickets! 

Adult tickets cost just £20 with kids half price, they can be purchased from Leonards Cove by calling, emailing or dropping them a message on Facebook. You can also purchase tickets on the day. 

Toast the King at Sandridge Barton, Stoke Gabriel (6th – 7th May) 

Celebrating the historic day in style at Sandridge Barton where the bunting will be flying, wine will be flowing and a truly special menu, fit for a king, will be on offer at their restaurant Circa. Traditional village fete games will be enjoyed by all, plus the Gallery Bar will have coronation-themed bar snacks to accompany wine flights and specially-made cocktails.  

The coronation-themed menu, costing £40pp, will be served throughout the weekend. You can expect dishes such as Coronation fried chicken, royal Dartmouth crab, English asparagus and wild fennel trifle. Wine tasting and tours can be enjoyed throughout the weekend where you can learn about the processes used in the vineyard and winery too. 

Set in the rolling hills of South Devon, Sandridge Barton sits on the River Dart near Stoke Gabriel and is a truly wonderful setting to enjoy this celebration.  

The Screening of His Majesty King Charles III, Powderham Castle, Kenton (6th – 7th May) 

Perched on the edge of the Exe Estuary, Powderham Castle will be providing a fantastic regal jamboree for the King’s Coronation. 

On Saturday 6th May they will be screening the coronation from 10am – 5pm, plus entry to the grounds and the castle means you can explore the wonderful estate whilst soaking up the atmosphere. On the 7th May you can explore the estate during the day and in the evening you can enjoy a community party whilst watching the screening of the Coronation concert. 

Local food, Pimms, cream teas, fun royal activities and plenty more can be expected so why not head down to Powderham Castle to enjoy the days’ fanfare! Upgrade your ticket to a VIP ticket to make the most of the experience, which includes a reserved deck chair, complimentary strawberries and cream, a glass of Pimms and a Coronation flag! 

Rave is King, Exeter Phoenix, Exeter (6th May) 

Taking place on the King’s Coronation Day, Exeter Phoenix have provided a slightly different coronation event! Enjoy 9 solid hours of music, fun and fancying at Rave is King! Jerome Hill, Rob Tissera, Johnny G and many more acts will be performing at this royal shindig!  

Hosted at Exeter’s most social, city centre hang out, if you enjoy house music, techno, drum and base or hard dance – this might just be the event for you! Alongside a local selector line up, a number of headline honcho’s from elsewhere in the UK will be bringing their music to this South West city fiesta.  

King’s Coronation Craft Workshops – Create a Pom Pom Garland, Pom Stitch Tassel, Bovey Tracey (6th May) 

If you’re looking for something crafty to do on the Coronation weekend, why not head to Pom Stitch and Tassel for their King’s Coronation Craft Workshop to make a pompom garland fit for a King (or Queen!).  

Located in Bovey Tracey, during this workshop you’ll learn different techniques to create a selection of pom poms and how to string them onto a garland to take home as a decoration to use for your Coronation celebrations. 

All materials needed are provided and the workshops are suitable for children aged 5+ and adults.  

If you’re staying in South Devon for the Coronation be sure to tag us in your posts using @VisitSouthDevon as we’d love to see your celebrations! Stay up to date with the latest Visit South Devon blog posts, competitions and more by signing up to our e-newsletter here.