Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a short holiday at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa in Suffolk

Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a short holiday at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa in Suffolk

including a Royal Afternoon Tea on the Lawn and events galore in the Suffolk countryside

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, in Suffolk, is marking The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with some special celebrations in June, including a Royal Afternoon Tea on the Lawn.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee without tea parties and celebrations up and down the country - and the green county of Suffolk is no exception. The British monarch is well-known for hosting summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace where, according to the Royal website, around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are served each year! Here is a selection of Platinum Jubilee celebrations to enjoy at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa and beyond:

Platinum Jubilee menus and events at Bedford Lodge:

Royal Afternoon Tea – available throughout June
With a vibrant history spanning over 200 years, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa was originally a Georgian hunting lodge, built for the 6th Duke of Bedford. The hotel’s past is peppered with interesting characters; perhaps most notable was Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford (wife of the 7th Duke), who created the much-loved concept of Afternoon Tea in 1845. The famous tradition continues today and, in June, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa will be serving a Royal Afternoon Tea which would doubtless delight HM The Queen. Enjoy a selection of traditional finger sandwiches and baked savoury treats, followed by delicious homemade scones and a selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries, served with a selection of teas or coffee. Indulge in classics such as Victoria sponge cake, the Elizabeth Royal Fruit Cake – inspired by the nine-foot-tall fruit cake from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's 1947 wedding, and Bombe Glacée Royale – a mini version of one of Her Majesty’s favourite desserts. Available daily from 1 to 30 June in Squire’s Restaurant or on the terrace, the Royal Afternoon Tea costs £23 pp (or £34.50 pp with a glass of Champagne).

Royal Afternoon Tea on the Lawn – 5 June
On Sunday 5 June, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa will be celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a commemorative Royal Afternoon Tea on the Lawn. Gather family and friends for an afternoon of indulgence in the hotel’s beautiful and secluded grounds, which include formal lawns, fragrant rose gardens and a riot of colourful blooms. Sip on a Pimm's cocktail while tucking into Coronation Chicken, Cucumber & Celery Salt and Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese sandwiches, delicious savoury delights, homemade scones, and freshly baked cakes and pastries, served with a selection of teas or coffee. Available on 5 June, Royal Afternoon Tea on the Lawn costs £36 pp, including a glass of Pimm's.

Squires Platinum Jubilee lunch and dinner – 30 May to 5 June
Bedford Lodge’s Squires Restaurant – recently awarded two AA rosettes for its excellent standards of cuisine and the quality of its ingredients – will be serving a delicious, quintessentially English three-course menu in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Overseen by Executive Head Chef Lee Cooper, Squires Restaurant is renowned for reinventing delicious seasonal classics, using the finest, – locally sourced meat, game, shellfish and cheesewithin a 50 mile radius  of meat, game, shellfish and cheese. The Platinum Jubilee Menu includes Gin Cured Salmon, Quintessentially British Garden Salad, Butter Basted Lemon Sole, Longhorn Beef Fillet, and Dark Chocolate Mousse with The Queen’s Own Chocolate Biscuit, or Sherry Trifle with Whipped Cream. The Platinum Jubilee Menu is available for lunch and dinner from 30 May to 5 June (dishes cost from £8 to £32).

Platinum Jubilee events in Suffolk:

The Suffolk Show – 31 May & 1 June
This year’s Suffolk Show will be extra special. The annual two-day, family-friendly event at Trinity Park includes 70 things to do for free, one for each year of The Queen’s reign. Visit The Platinum Years exhibit showcasing all aspects of Suffolk life through Her Majesty’s Platinum Decades, and walk down the new Jubilee Avenue – home to 70 Acer Campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’ trees planted in celebration of The Queen’s 70-year reign. On 1 June, watch the Festival Torch arrive at the show after its 550-mile journey around the county, visiting 250 towns and villages to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. There will also be a Festival Pageant taking place in the Grand Ring. Tickets cost from £7.50 (ages 15-18) to £26.50 per adult. Free entry for children under 15.

Kids Rule at Framlingham Castle – 31 May to 5 June
During May Half Term (31 May to 5 June), Framlingham Castle is celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a right royal knees-up. Kids Rule events in the grounds will include costumed storytellers, hands-on activities and fresh-air family fun. Surrounded by parkland and a picturesque lake, Framlingham Castle was once at the centre of a vast network of power and influence and it is where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. Tickets cost £12.80 per adult, £7.60 per child or £33.20 per family.

Jubilee celebrations in Ipswich – 2, 4 & 5 June
Ipswich will be celebrating The Queen's Platinum Jubilee from the 2 to 5 June with a beacon lighting ceremony, street parties and a big screen streaming the Party at the Palace concert from Buckingham Palace. On the evening of 2 June, there will be a Beacon Lighting Ceremony on the Christchurch Mansion lawn with Commonwealth food, entertainment and a fireworks display. On 4 June, a big screen on the Cornhill will stream the 'Party at the Palace' jubilee concert live from Buckingham Palace and, on 5 June, a Big Jubilee Lunch will take place on the Cornhill.

Kersey Mill restoration and Platinum Jubilee celebrations – 3 June
Kersey Mill in Suffolk is holding a joint celebration to commemorate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the restoration of Kersey Mill, now milling again for the first time in 100 years. Entertainment includes a children’s fun fair, pony rides, nature trail, Kersey Mill Express train rides, Punch and Judy shows, flour milling demonstrations, mill tours, a vintage car display and a Woofers Dog Show and Display. Snacks and cream teas will be available at The Miller’s Kitchen. Tickets for the  Kersey Mill Celebrations cost from £16 pp.

Platinum Jubilee Proms in the Park – 4 June
A Best of British Afternoon Proms concert, starring the incredible coloratura soprano Christina Johnston and live musical ensemble at Wherstead Park will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in style. Rousing classics will include Land of Hope and Glory, Abide with Me, Nimrod, God Save the Queen, Jerusalem, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and many more glorious songs from the Proms, the West End and classical and operatic hits. Enjoy delicious food and drink from the tipi bar and on-site food stalls, or why not bring along a picnic? Tickets cost from £5 pp. Free entry for children under five.

Jubilee Celebration Barn dance – 4 June
Dress up in check shirts, cowboy boots and hats for a fun-filled evening at the Sampford's Jubilee Celebration Barn Dance. A band and caller will get everyone dancing to the lively music and guests can refuel afterwards with a mouth-watering hog roast (or grilled halloumi) bun served with apple sauce. Tickets cost £18 per adult and £10 per child (aged 12 and under).

An overnight stay at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is from £165 per room (two sharing a king-sized bedroom), including full English breakfast and use of the Health & Fitness Club, with its 15m indoor pool plus Jacuzzi. For more information, or to book a table and/or overnight stay, please visit www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk or call 01638 663175