| Where: | Waltham Abbey, Essex at the Abbey and environs |
| When: | Saturday in early to mid October |
| Time: | From 12 noon until 4 pm approx with parade 1pm (2025) |
After his defeat at the Battle of Hastings, the body of King Harold was brought to Waltham Abbey for burial by his partner Edith Swan-Neck. Harold founded the Abbey here and was the local Lord of the Manor before he became king. On a Saturday near the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, which took place on 14th October, a festival is held in memory of Harold and the Anglo-Saxon way of life which ended after his defeat. There’s usually a medieval fair with many stalls including food & drinks, a living history encampment, period musicians, tours of the Abbey Church and entertainments such as falconry displays. After a Procession, flowers are laid at the memorial stone behind the Abbey.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it was on Saturday 11th October with the Parade at 1pm followed by the Memorial Service and floral tributes (in some previous years this has been at noon). 2026 details are yet to be announced but likely to be Saturday 10th.
For full details and timings follow the Facebook link below, as timings may vary from year to year.
In 2022 a relatively small event took place on Saturday 15th October in the Abbey churchyard consisting of the usual flower-placing ceremony at the King Harold Memorial at 11.30am; a short talk by the Chairman of the Historical Society; a recital by the Renaissance Singers in the Abbey Church at 12.30 and a guided tour of the Abbey Church, and in 2023 a larger event returned with re-enactors, Procession, musicians and craft stalls.
It’s usually organised by the Council and King Harold Day Society; click here for the council website: http://www.walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk
click here for the event Facebook page which includes the full schedule :https://www.facebook.com/KingHaroldFestival/
Photo outside Museum by Epping Forest District Council.
View this location on the map.
The principal Battle of Hastings commemorations take place in Battle Abbey in the Town of Battle and NOT in Hastings! The Battle re-enactment is organised by English Heritage which manages the Battle Abbey site. See: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/battle-of-hastings-oct-2017/
Thanks Peter – you can find the calendarcustoms article on the Battle Abbey event at https://calendarcustoms.com/articles/battle-of-hastings-re-enactment/ which indeed makes it clear that it’s held at Battle Abbey not in Hastings itself! I’ve tweaked the entry on King Harold Day to make it obvious on there, too.
Best wishes,
Averil
How sad it’s been cancelled 2019. I may live in Highams Park but may be interested to help you 2020
Hi Gill,
Your message has come to calendarcustoms rather than to the King Harold Day organisers – you can contact them direct either on their website contact form at https://kingharoldday.wordpress.com/351-2/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KingHaroldFestival/
I expect they’ll be very pleased to hear from you!
Best wishes,
Averil