VisitEngland is on a mission… to put St George’s Day firmly on the map. They say England is still buzzing with national pride after the Royal Wedding, Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games so are calling for all Englishmen and Anglofiles to get together on or around April 23 to celebrate the country.
And they have flagged up some of the best events, activities and experiences on how to do it:
Dragon Duels & Knight Battles in London: The highlight of London’s celebrations this year will be the Mayor of London’s Feast of St George on Saturday April 20. The free event in Trafalgar Square is inspired by the 13th century origins of St George’s Day, traditionally a day of feasting. Visitors can browse stalls selling delicious food, watch cookery demonstrations and tuck in at the banqueting area while enjoying live music and dance performances by talented Londoners.
The V&A Museum of Childhood will also be celebrating St George’s Day on April 20 with a day of English merriment. There’s a whole host of fun things for families to do such as music and dancing, storytelling, traditional games, and arts and crafts sessions – kids can even make their own dragon mask to take home. Admission is free.
Leicester too will be celebrating with a one day festival on Saturday April 20, filled with fun activities for dashing knights and fair maidens. You can brush up on your maypole dancing skills, get your face painted and enjoy a re-enactment of St George slaying the dastardly dragon and rescuing the damsel in distress. Free.
Nottingham will mark England’s National Day with a St George’s Day Parade on Tuesday April 23, in which St George himself will lead a crowd of costumed characters and a marching band through the city centre to the Old Market Square. There will be a bouncy castle, knight battles, folk dance and traditional music, and a wide selection of tempting food and drink stalls to keep you entertained for the rest of the day. Free.
Up in Northumberland, Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens is hosting a medieval St George’s Weekend on April 20-21, where visitors can join townsfolk, nobles and musicians in their celebration of the English saint’s life. You will be treated to a re-enactment of St George’s battle with his famous foe, as well as plays and medieval music throughout the weekend. Entry costs £7.90 for adults and £4.70 for children.
Liverpool will be hosting its very first St George’s Day celebrations on Sunday April 21. The day-long event will include the debut appearance in the city of CBBC character Mike the Knight. The festival has been organised to promote the city’s historic St George’s Quarter and will centre around St George’s Hall and St John’s Gardens, where there’ll be a funfair and themed stalls including a hog-roast. There will be a host of indoor fun too. The celebration kicks off a momentous week for Liverpool with the city celebrating its inaugural Literary Festival – In Other Words – on April 23. Free.
Grab your sword and join the St George’s Day celebrations at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, where you will witness the skills of medieval jousting knights and cheer on your favourite. Children can flex their acting skills in the interactive theatre, and immerse themselves in history exploring recreated historic campsites. Tickets cost £9.30 for adults and £5.85 for children.
If you fancy meeting the dragon slayer himself, head over to Conisbrough Castle in Doncaster on April 20 or 21, when St George will recount the tale of how he defeated the famous dragon, and teach you the tricks you’ll need should you come across one yourself. Admission costs £4.60 for adults and £2.80 for children.
March in Cambridgeshire will host St Georges Fayre on Sunday April 21 – a spring celebration of the Patron Saint of England, with a traditional market at its heart. This year’s Fayre starts with a community parade which arrives at March Market Place for the official opening at 11am.Throughout the day there will be a range of entertainments, including traditional folk dancers and live performances on stage in the Market Place and in the High Street. For more information please contact 01354 654321.
Shakespeare’s Birthday: This year, the famous playwright would have turned 449 years old on St George’s Day and Stratford-Upon-Avon, his place of birth, will be celebrating the Bard’s birthday with its annual weekend-long festival on April 20-21. Highlights will include a series of pageants, performances and a fun-packed programme of special theatre activities celebrating Shakespeare’s life and works. The Royal Shakespeare Company will be launching In Stitches, a new, free costume exhibition.
An ideal way to discover the Bard’s birthplace is aboard your own narrowboat as it cruises the Shakespeare Route, from Napton Junction to Stratford-upon-Avon, via the Grand Union Canal and the spectacular 21 lock Hatton Flight. You can moor right in the heart of Stratford. Hoseasons has a range of narrowboats sleeping between two and nine; the 4-6 berth Wharfdale Valley is available for the week commencing Saturday April, costing £680.
VisitEngland will be announcing the final 101 Things to Do Before You Go Abroad list on St George’s Day, covering the best English experiences.
To find out more about England’s patron saint, check out www.visitengland.com/St-Georges-Day
