| Where: | Knutsford, Cheshire - starting at Marshall's Yard |
| When: | 1st Saturday in May |
| Time: | 2pm onwards |
At Knutsford the May Day festivities take place on the first Saturday of the month rather than May 1st itself and it’s one of the most spectacular spring celebrations in the UK, earning its “Royal” status after a visit from the Prince & Princess of Wales in the late Nineteenth Century. There is an elaborate and extensive fancy-dress pageant of dozens of children in historical or legendary costumes with morris dancers, a Jack-in-the-Green, chinese dragons, musicians, town criers and officials and of course the May Queen and her Court Attendants in horse-drawn carriages. A unique custom attached to Knutsford is “sanding” where the towns pavements are decorated with patterns and pictures of coloured sand for the day. In addition to all this there is Maypole and morris dancing and the coronation of the May Queen (she wears a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s crown and one of the perks of the post is that she gets to keep it!) .
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Saturday May 3rd. It shifted a week in 2023 to avoid a clash with the Coronation weekend, but was back to its usual formula the following year.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/219655841379112
Click here for the website (lots of great photos!) : http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk/
where’s the best car park nearest to high street?
Hi Dawn,
We went last year and there was special event parking on the north western side of the centre – just follow all the signs and you can’t miss it. There was a huge queue of traffic approaching town so allow yourself lots of time for that – it would have been very difficult to park anywhere else. Sorry I can’t be more help – I don’t know Knutsford too well but if you need more info try contacting the organisers on the website link and I’m sure they’ll be able to help. Enjoy!
Best wishes,
Averil
I park on the little heath,about £3 for all day.
What time does the parade start and if possible, the route?
Hi Peter,
Thanks for getting in touch. The parade starts at 2pm but if you’re travelling in on the day it gets VERY congested on the outskirts so allow extra time for that. “The procession will set off from Marshall’s Yard at 2pm and bejoined by the May Queen and her court at the Sessions House in Toft Road. Hundreds of characters and decorated lorries will make their way along the streets of Knutsford (Adams Hill, King Street, Tatton Street, Princess Street, King Edward Road and Manchester Road) to the Heath where dancing will take place before the actual crowning ceremony.” I lifted that straight off the event website at http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk/ which also has other useful information on road closures etc and if there are any last-minute changes, that’s where you’ll find them. When we visited we found that there were good views from outside the Sessions House and from the Tatton Street area – it’s a very friendly event. Hope you have a great time!
Best Wishes,
Averil
any disabled parking thx
Hi John — the best way to find out about disabled parking would be to contact the event organisers directly. The official site has contact info, and can be found at: http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk
Hello. My cousin and I are direct decendants (great granddaughters) of Sarah Annie Pollitt, the very first May Queen in Knutsford. We will be visiting Knutsford this April/May and are very interested in the parade and festivities. Is there someone you could recommend we get in touch with? We live in the US and can’t wait to visit our grandfathers town. Any help would be very appreciated.
Regards,
Jacqueline Cory
Jackiespptravel@aol.com
Hi Jacqueline,
Thanks for getting in touch! Knutsford is a lovely town – we’ve visited a few times and found it a very friendly place. The Royal May Day has its own website at http://www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk and there is a contacts form on the site. I’m sure they’ll be really pleased to hear from you – especially as descendants of the very first Queen!
Hope you have a great time,
Averil
Thank you so very much! I shall contact them right away.
Jacqueline Cory
Dear Averil,
Just in case you haven’t heard the date for the Knutsford Royal May Day has been changed to Saturday May 13, 2023 because of the Kings Coronation.
Bye for now,
Alice.
Hi Alice,
Many thanks for the information about the date change for Knutsford Royal May Day- I hadn’t yet heard about that but I’m expecting a few alterations especially when it’s announced what the plan will be for the Bank Holiday. I’ll get it on the site right away,
Best wishes,
Averil