The coronation of King Charles III will take place on 6th May 2023 and up and down the country people will be hosting garden parties and picnics to celebrate (see our selection of the best Coronation party decorations and outdoor tableware for the event).
If you're not feeling up to hosting but still want to mark the occasion, we've rounded up some of the nicest gardening events around to help you make the most of this celebratory weekend.
You can also take a look at our recommendations of the best plants to grow to honour King Charles.
Gardening events for the coronation
Coronation Jewels Display & Coronation Tea Party
Newby Hall in North Yorkshire are celebrating 75 years of opening their gardens to the public this year and will be celebrating by displaying a rare replica set of coronation jewels. Family ancestor Sir Robert Vyner commissioned the official Coronation Regalia for Charles II after the originals were destroyed during the Civil War. They are still used today to crown the monarch, and a full Newby replica set was made last century including two crowns, the Imperial State Crown and St Edward’s Crown, sceptres, swords, orb, and even an anointing spoon and ampulla. All will be on display from April in honour of His Majesty the King.
In the gardens, a throne will be placed at the top of Newby's herbaceous borders for visitors to pose in wearing a floral crown and a coronation tea party will be held along the borders on the 8th May.
Coronation Flower Crown Workshop
Join Sarah from Pod & Pip in Salisbury to learn how to make a flower crown to wear for your coronation celebrations. All materials will be supplied along with coffee and cake and the workshop will last an hour, from 10.30-11.30am on 6 May. £30.
Royal Coronation Garden Party
For a truly regal celebration, you could head to Ellenborough Park, a country house hotel in the Cotswolds, on 6 May.
With live music, afternoon tea and coronation themed treats, it's sure to be a fitting way to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Also on offer will be an Ellenborough Park Gin cocktail, royal carriages for photo opportunities and a craft station for crown-making and colouring. There will be a host of garden games to take part in too, from Bridgerton croquet to horse shoe throwing.
Mayfair's Coronation Garden Party
If you're based in London and looking for a way to celebrate the King's coronation, you can head over to Mayfair for their free Coronation Garden Party on 6 and 7 May.
This free event in Grosvenor Square is one not to be missed. The square will be transformed into a garden wonderland and you'll be able to watch the coronation ceremony on the big screen. Enjoy royal tipples, snacks and immersive experiences as part of the celebrations.
Garden Tour at Highgrove
A visit to Highgrove Gardens would be an excellent way to celebrate the coronation. With plenty of availability for garden tours throughout April and May, you will be led by an experienced guide around the gardens for an hour and a half.
As the private home of His Majesty King Charles III and The Queen Consort, there is no better way to be immersed in the coronation year than to explore the grounds of the garden that has been so carefully curated by the new King, who is himself an avid gardener; designer Jinny Blom has referred to him as the 'Gardener King'. Tours cost £30; on selected dates in May you can attend a Champagne Tea and Garden Tour for £85.
Coronation Flowers with Kerry Goodyear
Join florist Kerry Goodyear at Weston Park on 5 May to learn how to create a table centre-piece in time for the coronation bank holiday celebrations. Using traditional floristry techniques, you will create an English country arrangement to take home. Weston Park is the perfect setting for this regal workshop as a stately home set in extensive grounds once worked on by Capability Brown. Materials will be provided but you're required to bring your own scissors of secateurs. The workshop runs from 6-8pm and costs £60.
Coronation Flower Crown
Visit The Cambridge Flower School on 26 April to make your own flower crown using dried flowers. Using dried flowers means that your crown will be perfect for the coronation weekend and beyond, for summer parties and festivals. The workshop runs from 6.30-9pm and costs £75.
thecambridgeflowerschool.co.uk
Coronation Illustration Workshop
A visit to Daylesford Organic farm takes on some royal splendour with this illustration workshop. Guided by Ellie Hooi, you will create your own watercolour illustration, which could be framed or made into a card, inspired by the coronation. You will learn to paint the logo of King Charles III as well as the national flowers of each UK nation. The workshop runs on 1 May from 10am-1pm and costs £125.
Coronation Garden Trail
Visit National Trust property The Vyne in Hampshire for a coronation garden trail running throughout May. 74 handmade crowns will be hidden in the grounds ready to be discovered, one to mark each year of King Charles III's life.
Here's more on how to create a cinema in your garden with an outdoor projector.