The King and Queen will visit Dedham in Colchester on 5 February 2026.
Their Majesties will visit the Sun Inn, where they will meet local heroes and businesses who have supported the community of Dedham. Local heroes include Next Chapter, a local domestic abuse charity; Dedham Art Society, a well-established art group that support East Anglia Children’s Hospice and partner with Munnings Museum; and the Dedham Vale Vineyard, which is set on forty acres of vines, woods and pastures on the edge of Dedham Vale.
They will then meet members of the local community and pupils of a nearby school as they walk down the High Street to Essex Rose Teahouse to enjoy a tea party taking place.
Parking restrictions and road closures
On Wednesday 4 February, Mill Pond and Mill Lane car parks will close from 2pm. Vehicles already parked before 2pm will be able to exit the car parks throughout the afternoon.
From 7pm, parking will not be permitted on the following roads in Dedham, to prepare for the Royal visit:
- High Street, Royal Square and Brook Street, Dedham (from Stratford Road through to Manningtree Road and Crown Street)
- Mill Lane, from the High Street to Mill Lane Car Park
- Southfields Road
Parking Permit holders have been contacted with alternative parking arrangements. Please note that any vehicles that have been left on these roads once the parking restrictions come into force will be moved. This applies to business and resident permit holders as well as all other vehicles.
On Thursday 5 February both Mill Pond and Mill Lane car park will remain closed, and some roads in the centre of Dedham will be closed between 8am-3pm, as follows:
- High Street, Royal Square and Brook Street, Dedham (from Stratford Road through to Manningtree Road and Crown Street).
- Mill Lane, from the High Street to Mill Lane Car Park
- Southfields Road
Travel information
For information on bus travel, we advise you visit bus operators’ websites.
Public access to Mill Lane and Mill Pond car parks will be closed from 2pm on Wednesday 4 February, until 3pm on Friday 5 February. As there will be no designated parking available anywhere in the Dedham area, visitors are advised not to travel to Dedham by car on this day.
A limited shuttle bus service will operate from the North Colchester Park and Ride site, located just off the A12. It will run on a first come, first served basis. Minibuses will run from 8.30am to 10.30am from Colchester to Dedham, and from 12.45pm to 3.15pm from Dedham back to Colchester. The bus service will be free, but motorists will need to pay £3 for parking in the usual way at the Park and Ride site.
For information on the day of the Royal visit, follow:
- @EnjoyColchester on Facebook
- @YourColchester on X
- @ColchesterCityCouncil on Instagram
For everything you need to know about the Royal visit, go to www.colchester.gov.uk/royal-visit