Salcombe Crabfest 2024: All You Need to Know
Salcombe’s crab fishing industry is coming out of its shell from 10am on Sunday 5th May to celebrate Crabfest...
by Barney Munn / Events
The Coronation weekend will take place on 6th, 7th and 8th May 2023 to mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla. People all over the country and beyond will be celebrating in different ways, and South Devon is no exception to that. With fireworks, live music, screenings of the Coronation Ceremony, street parties and more, South Devon certainly knows how to celebrate in style. Here’s our round-up of all the South Devon Coronation Celebrations you can get involved with across the region, from Plymouth to Torquay.
Use our quick links below to read about celebrations in a specific area or read on for our full guide on South Devon’s Coronation events:
The amazing Brixham Future CIC have created a schedule of 40 different Coronation events to take place over 6 days surrounding the Coronation. There’s something for the whole family, including a parade, live music and even a firework display! There will also be free entry to exhibits at Brixham Heritage Museum and Brixham Library, as well as vintage film screenings throughout the weekend.
With many of the events being free, Brixham is the perfect place to base your coronation bank holiday without spending a penny! For more detail on everything taking place, view their coronation event programme. For more cost-free days out, read our top 20 free things to do in South Devon.
As if Brixham’s impressive Coronation line-up wasn’t enough, Torquay will also be host to some epic celebrations. On Saturday there will be an outdoor live showing of the ceremony at Torre Abbey Meadows, with Bays Brewery and other local caterers around all day. A day of live music will follow on Sunday, before a live screening of the Coronation Concert, again accompanied by local caterers and Bays Brewery. The Torquay offering will also be great for kids, with plenty of fun activities and games to keep them excited throughout the weekend!
If fireworks are your thing, then Paignton is sure to impress! The seafront will be lit up by a full firework display on Saturday, starting at 9.30 p.m., supplied by the award-winning Blitz Fireworks. There are also a range of great events being held by Community Partnerships across Paignton on Sunday.
Salcombe Town Council have prepared an exciting line-up of community events for the bank holiday weekend. Following the Coronation ceremony on Saturday, The Big Cream Tea is being held at Whitestrand car park, where free cream teas will be served. This will be followed by a Great British fancy dress competition, with prizes from The Winking Prawn. Finally, at 5.00 p.m., there will be a Coronation flotilla, with a prize for the best dressed boat. In case you’re stuck for somewhere to watch the ceremony, Salcombe has 7 different establishments screening it on Saturday.
Sunday will see The Big Lunch at Salcombe Primary school, where anyone is welcome to join with their own food, followed by live music from Ben Carr and The Salcombe Larks, as well as an open mic set. On Monday, The Big Help Out will take place, where a wide range of charities will exhibit their work and take on new volunteers. For more details on the events, view the website for Salcombe’s Coronation Weekend.
Another great option for kids, the churches of Ivybridge have organised a day-long Party in the Park to be held in Victoria Park on Sunday. This will involve an open-air workshop starting at 10.30 a.m., followed by The Big lunch at 12.00 p.m., where anyone is welcome to join with their own picnic. From 1.00 p.m. until 4.00 p.m., there will be free family activities, including a bouncy castle for little ones. This event also includes a barbecue, refreshments, crafts, family games and music.
Saturday will see the Parade on Plymouth Barbican bustling, with a big screen showing the Coronation of King Charles III. The stage at the Parade will also be showing live music around the Coronation ceremony. These aren’t Plymouth’s only celebrations on Saturday, with roads closed on Quay Square and South Street to make way for charity stalls, entertainment, childrens activities and a street party. The people of Plymouth are taking full advantage of the bank holiday weekend, with more live music at the Parade on Sunday.
For more ideas of things to do in Plymouth, read our Plymouth Guide.
A regal place to view the Coronation live, Powderham Castle are showing the ceremony in the castle grounds on Saturday. Here you’ll find Pimms and cream teas, local food and activities for kids in a historical setting. Tickets for this will also include entry to the castle, so you can soak up some heritage while celebrating! All profits from the event will be donated to charity.
The Coronation Concert will also be shown on Sunday night from 5.00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., although it’s worth noting that tickets for this don’t include castle entry.
You’ll struggle to find a more ancient and intriguing setting to celebrate the Coronation than the caves of Kents Cavern. Here you’ll find an excellent offering for children with Cavog’s Coronation Fun. Cavog the Caveman has left a variety of crowns across the site, which kids will have to track down and keep a tally of before claiming Cavog’s prize. You can save £1 per person if you buy your tickets online.
Kents Cavern will also be serving Coronation High Tea across the whole bank holiday weekend, from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. High Tea for 2 will cost £25 and includes plenty of tasty treats, including the obligatory cream tea. Prebooking is essential.
If you’d like to find more ways to spend your time in sunny South Devon, read our post on things to do in South Devon.
Looking for somewhere to stay while you celebrate the Coronation in South Devon? At Coast and Country Cottages we have a collection of over 500 holiday homes across the area, from the charming towns of Salcombe and Dartmouth to the seaside retreats of Torbay. Whether you’re looking for rolling countryside, a short walk to the beach or a stunning sea view, we’re sure we’ll have something to fit.
by Barney Munn / Events
Having lived in the South West my whole life, I love writing about the stunning places and outdoor adventures it has to offer. ...
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