Dear Friends

The month of May 2023 is one of the most historically important we have seen this century. It sees the dawn of a new reign, with the crowning of His Majesty King Charles III with Her Majesty Queen Camilla at his side.   You can imagine what excitement there is here at the heart of England in the King’s castle, as Charles is also Duke of Lancaster, and Tutbury is one of the Duchy castles.

On Sunday, we are opening the castle for free so the community can enjoy ‘The Big Picnic’.  We already have 1200 registered guests and will have only limited numbers of additional spaces on the day, as we have safety restrictions on the total number of people allowed in at  any one time. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnics. We will have bars open in the marquee and the tea room, as well as a variety of food vans, and there will be bands and fairground rides throughout the day. We are a licensed premises throughout, so please don’t bring alcohol with you, but do bring a sense of joy.

On Monday we will be making the King’s Cypher on the motte, with help from our visitors, who are also welcome to the castle for free that day.  As it is volunteers’ day, we ask if visitors could pull out a chunk of weed growing out of the castle walls or the pathways;  it will help preserve the castle, which will be a better place for you having visited.  Bin bags are provided throughout the day and there is hot and cold food available as well as a bar facility.

At the end of May is the Bank Holiday when we have our annual 1940’s event.  This is a chance to see living history camps from many nations, wonderful music on the Monday provided by a forties all girl group to get you dancing.  Stalls and bunting will keep up the atmosphere.  There is so much to celebrate.  Keep smiling, keep cheering.