【British Hills】Celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 100th Birthday: Hosting a "British Fair"

British Hills (Tenei Village, Fukushima Prefecture), which has welcomed over 1.1 million visitors since its establishment in 1994, will host a "British Fair" on Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st, 2026, to commemorate the 100th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the same year. This event will feature a variety of programs to experience British culture, including the "Rose & Queens Afternoon Tea" which selects sweets beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth, a "Bagpipe Parade" inspired by "Trooping the Colour," the official birthday ceremony of the British monarch, as well as an afternoon tea etiquette class to learn British manners, and a traditional British scone making experience. You can enjoy authentic British culture with all five senses while in Japan, in a British setting that recreates a medieval British townscape without needing a passport.

▲ Bagpipe Parade

▲ Rose & Queens Afternoon Tea

"Trooping the Colour": A British Tradition Celebrating the Monarch's Official Birthday in June

For over 260 years, the ceremony "Trooping the Colour" has been held annually in Britain in June to celebrate the monarch's official birthday. Its origins trace back to military parades during the reign of Charles II in the 17th century, and it became a national event when George II integrated it with his birthday celebrations in 1748. It is said that an "official birthday" was established to celebrate in June, a month generally blessed with fine weather in Britain, where the weather is often unpredictable. Today, it is known as a traditional event symbolizing British royal culture, adorned with military band performances and guards' parades.

"Bagpipe Parade" with Live Performance of Traditional Scottish Instruments

Historically, bagpipes were regarded as weapons to inspire soldiers on the battlefield. In "Trooping the Colour," bagpipe units such as the Scots Guards march in traditional kilts. At British Hills, we will present a live performance of Scottish Highland Bagpipes by the "Tokyo Pipe Band," formed in 1975 to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's visit to Japan. Highland dance, originating from Scotland, will also be performed by the "Bluebell Highlanders."

Date

Saturday, June 20th, 2026, and Sunday, June 21st, 2026, 13:15-13:45

Fee

Free

Queen Elizabeth II's 100th Birthday Commemorative "Rose & Queens Afternoon Tea"

To commemorate the 100th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we will offer a limited-time afternoon tea featuring a selection of British sweets once loved by the Queen. Many menu items incorporating roses, the national flower of England, have also been prepared.

Menu Name

Rose & Queens Afternoon Tea

Sales Dates

Weekends only from Saturday, May 30th, 2026, to Sunday, July 5th, 2026

10:00-17:30 (Last order 16:30) *No reservations, served on a first-come, first-served basis

Fee

4,000 yen/person

Venue

Ascot Tea Room

Menu

Top tier: Chocolate Biscuit Cake (Queen Elizabeth's favorite), Strawberry and White Chocolate Pound Cake, Pistachio and Raspberry Mousse

Middle tier: Plain Scones (with rose jam & cream), Rose Macarons, Seven-Vegetable Quiche

Bottom tier: Shrimp & Chicken Coronation Salad (a dish devised for Queen Elizabeth's coronation luncheon), Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Roast Beef Sandwich

▲ Queens Afternoon Tea

▲ Ascot Tea Room Interior

▲ Ascot Tea Room Exterior

Experience Traditional British Confectionery Making: "Earl Grey Scone Making"

The popular "Scone Making" lesson will be offered in a special event version. This time, it will be held with "Earl Grey flavor and rose jam." Foreign instructors at British Hills will conduct the class in English. You can take home any uneaten portions as souvenirs.

Date

Saturday, June 20th, 2026, and Sunday, June 21st, 2026 ①11:00-12:00 ②14:30-15:30

Fee

3,000 yen/person (with rose jam)

Target

Elementary school age and above *Children of elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian.

Reception

Priority for advance reservations, first-come, first-served (regardless of day trip or overnight stay)

Master Afternoon Tea Etiquette: "British Afternoon Tea Etiquette Class"

This course teaches the history of British afternoon tea and the manners for enjoying it. You can learn about and enjoy afternoon tea from the perspective of British culture. You can actually enjoy afternoon tea at the Ascot Tea Room within the facility (afternoon tea is not provided during the lecture).

Date

Saturday, June 20th, 2026, and Sunday, June 21st, 2026, 11:00-12:00

Fee

2,500 yen/person *Afternoon tea is not included

Target

Junior high school age and above

Reception

Priority for advance reservations, first-come, first-served (regardless of day trip or overnight stay)

▲ Earl Grey Scone Making

▲ British Afternoon Tea Etiquette Class

"British Plan" also on sale to immerse yourself in traditional British culture

This plan includes traditional Scottish culture such as "Bagpipe performance and Highland dance demonstration" and British...