The Jubilee weekend is certainly going to be one to remember. Firstly, it’s another four-day weekend – who doesn’t love that? And it’s a chance to party! If you want to make the most of the special occasion in Norwich & Norfolk, then look no further than our round-up of all the best Jubilee events.
Afternoon Tea has always been seen as quite a regal activity to enjoy, so what better way to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee? In a stunning Grade I Georgian building no less. The Queen’s Teatime Afternoon Tea at The Assembly House will include all the traditional elements of an afternoon tea, with some Jubilee themed treats. Taste The Queen’s favourite chocolate biscuit cake – made to her chef’s special recipe and crowned with gold leaf, as well as delicacies such as a pink wafer gateau opera and a Jammy Dodger macaron. Delicious. Running from 19 April to 30 June, £24.95 per person or £49.50 for two.
The Assembly House entrance hall
There’s an event every day of the Jubilee weekend at Norwich Cathedral! On Thursday 2 June, spend some quality family time together at A Right Royal Family Day. Choose between two workshop programmes, including fun activities such as singing, games and arts and crafts. Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £3.50 per child for either the morning (10am-12.15pm) or afternoon (12.30pm-3pm) session. To book, visit the website.
Don’t miss Battle of the Organs on Friday 3 June at 2pm. The Cathedral’s three organists will be performing an epic final recital before the historic pipe organ is taken out of service for a 15-month restoration project. Free admission, no booking required.
Sit back and enjoy a programme of royal music in the majestic surrounds of Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 4 June at 7.30pm. The Cathedral Chamber Choir and Norwich Baroque will perform a concert of Handel’s Coronation Anthems on Saturday 4 June, including the famous Coronation anthem Zadok the Priest. Tickets from £15 (£5 for under 18s). Book ahead to avoid missing out on this incredible performance.
And to round off the weekend on Sunday 5 June, the Cathedral will be hosting a Jubilee picnic from 12.30pm – 3.30pm. All are welcome to join in the street party and bring a picnic. For something a little extra special, you can order a Jarrold Jubilee Celebration Hamper – featuring sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and traditional Victoria sponge, all freshly prepared by Jarrold chefs, the hampers will cater for up to six people and cost £60. And at 3.30pm the Bishop of Norwich will preach at the Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service. All are welcome at the service and no tickets are required.
Inside the Norwich Cathedral
In honour of the Queen’s Jubilee, Chantry Place will be transformed into Chantry Palace! The much-loved shopping centre will play host to a Royal Guard on sentry duty over the four-day holiday weekend between 2 and 5 June. And there will be a royal throne and red carpet situated on the lower ground floor – the perfect photo opportunity! But that’s not all – there will also be a free ‘Walkie corgi trail’ in the centre from 30 May until 5 June. Families will need to get together and track the Queen’s corgi characters which have escaped the palace. By successfully tracking them and spelling out a Jubilee-themed word, eager trail followers will be entered into a competition to win a royal day out worth over £300!
This year, Norwich Castle celebrates 250 years since its mighty stone keep was completed in 1121 by King Henry I, the son of William the Conqueror. And part of this celebration is a vibrant city-wide trail running from 13 May – 30 June. Follow the trail and scan the QR codes at each trail location to access short films showcasing drama, creative writing and break dance along the theme of what ‘being regal’ means today. Download a trail map here.
Plus, Cinema City in association with Picturehouse will be screening Keeping it Regal themed films across the Jubilee weekend, including The Lion King and Hamlet Live from the Met. There will also be a stunning window in Jarrold featuring British Museum displays and performance art across the weekend. You won’t want to miss this out!
Norwich Castle
Head to the Norfolk Showground for The Royal Norfolk Show on June 29 and 30 for the Big Sing. Entry after 4pm is free, so everyone is invited to come along to a one-off performance which includes The Royal Salute, and two original pieces of music which will feature a chorus of 150 voices, 1,600 Norfolk schoolchildren, Norca Sistema’s Samba band, the 60-strong Norfolk Music Hub Ensemble and the Norfolk African Choir.
Running from 28 May – 5 June is Pensthorpe Natural Park’s brand-new adventure, A Real Tea Party Trail. Take your little princes and princesses on a regal stroll around the park to find nature’s royalty, from kingfishers to a red crowned crane, and compile the perfect guestlist for a tea party. The trail will feature interesting facts about the birds, and there will be free arts and crafts on offer! Included as part of park admission, from £11.95.
Hop on board the Bure Valley Railway for a Jubilee journey! The station will be decorated, there will be a royal activity for children to complete on the journey, Union Jack flags for the children to wave, and a selection of platinum packages available to purchase in the café at Aylsham Station. Book ahead to avoid disappointment! Adults £16, children £8, under 5’s free. From 28 May – 5 June.
Holkham Hall is hosting a wonderful range of activities for its Jubilant Half Term. Crafting in the Ed Shed, a Jump, Jive, Twist and Shout trail, and on selected dates you can try the climbing wall and penalty shoot-out, caving experience or obstacle course! Check the website for details.
Holkham Hall grounds
On the 2 June 10 town criers in Norwich, Attleborough, Sheringham, Holt, Downham Market, Thetford, Cromer and Wymondham will read out a proclamation in tribute to the Queen. And over 50 beacons will be lit across the county, with the Principle Beacon at Sandringham and others located at Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall and more. It’s sure to be a brilliant start to the celebrations!
Norfolk is lucky to be home to the Sandringham Estate, one of the Queen’s royal residences. So, you can expect quite the show here for the Jubilee. On Sunday 5 June in Sandringham Park, pop along to The Sandringham Pageant of Motoring. With more than 2,000 classic, vintage and retro vehicles on display, including ones used and owned by the royal family, live music acts including performers from the West End, exciting aerial displays, trade stands, a vintage market and a funfair and more – this promises to be a fabulous day. Tickets £15 or free for under 12s.
