Where to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in the UK

The 2 June 2022 will honour a truly monumental occasion in British history, marking 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and making her the first Sovereign to ever have a Platinum Jubilee. To commemorate the longest-serving British Monarch, a four-day Bank Holiday from 2-5 June is taking place, with celebrations guaranteed across the UK, in overseas territories and beyond. From London’s largest ever floral display to Scottish exhibitions, we’ve highlighted some of the top events and happenings to get you in the Jubilee spirit.

Balmoral (Shutterstock)

Take a journey through time with a selection of royal-themed tours and exhibitions across the UK.

In Edinburgh, step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Providing transportation and a residence for the Queen during official state visits, royal receptions and family holidays, Britannia has travelled more than million miles around the world. During the week of the Jubilee (30 May to 2 June) the decks will be filled with former Royal Yachtsmen wearing their traditional white overalls, and assisting the current maintenance team on the boat as they tell stories of life at sea with the Royal family.

Whilst in Scotland, pay a trip to the Royal Family’s favourite holiday residence as it hosts ‘Life at Balmoral’ – an exhibition which celebrates all aspects of royal life at Balmoral. Running throughout the summer until 2 August, part of the display will include mannequins depicting the Queen’s favourite outfits worn at Balmoral, from dog walking attire to glamorous ball gowns. Tickets will need to be booked in advance for Jubilee weekend.

Elsewhere in the UK, Windsor, as befits its position as the home of the Queen, is hosting a number of celebrations over the four days, including a rowing boat flotilla, led by the Gloriana, the magnificent royal row barge, on Saturday 4 June. The iconic Long Walk will be hosting a Picnic in the Park with music and vintage cars the same day, and a ‘Big Lunch’ the next day. The Royal Court arts centre will host a photography exhibition from 31 May to 31 July featuring pictures taken by former royal photographer Gill Heppell, capturing the Queen at private and public events over the past decade.

In true British fashion, countless venues across the UK have planned afternoon tea events. Or, you will most likely find a street party or two scattered across local communities as more than 60,000 people have signed up for the Big Jubilee Lunch – with Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Brazil and New Zealand getting involved too.

Beyond the scones and sandwiches, there’s other foodie festivities. Take the Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux event for example. From 2-5 June, the festival coincides with the Jubilee celebrations. Teaming up with the city’s best chefs, along with Bordeaux Wine Council and the French Government, it’s set to be one of the tastiest celebrations across the country.

Overseas, the British territory of Gibraltar is replacing its annual Calentita Food Festival with Jubilita – a Jubilee themed festival. The unique celebration will still have delicious food and community gatherings, but this year will combine its cultural identity with the United Kingdom’s to honour the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. Foodie lovers can follow a culinary and historic trail throughout the city to Gibralter’s three main squares, where they can try dishes which reflect different periods of time. The event is free to enter, and also includes light entertainment and music.

As part of official celebrations, on the night of 2 June, more than 1,500 Jubilee Beacons (aka bonfires) will be lit across the UK, in overseas territories and in all 54 Commonwealth capitals.

One place to see this will be at the iconic St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, where at 9.15pm a specially-constructed beacon will burn brightly as the sun sets. The island’s iconic castle will also be spectacularly lit during the four evenings across Jubilee weekend.

Another illumination is planned in Bath from 10pm on 2 June, again honouring the national lighting of the beacons. Expect to see the heritage city’s best-loved attractions and buildings lit up in a dazzling purple – a colour often associated with the royalty. Take a sunset stroll past Pulteney Bridge, The Guildhall, The Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, which will all be a-glow.

Of course, London will be at the heart of the celebrations for the longest-serving British Monarch.

First of all, take in one of the most spectacular flower displays London has ever seen as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. More than 20 million seeds were planted in the Tower of London’s moat for the ‘Superbloom’, which will morph and grow into a colourful and wild landscape throughout the summer. This usually urban area will create a new natural habitat and help pollinators thrive in the city. It’s set to be one of 2022’s most visited tourist attraction.

From 10am on 2 June, the Trooping of the Colour has changed schedule from Sunday to Thursday for the Queen’s Birthday Parade. This historic tradition dates back 260 years, with the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, and more than 1200 officers and soldiers from the Household Division marching around Horse Guards Parade – a classic British occasion not to be missed. Seated tickets are now sold out, but there’s still an opportunity to get a glimpse of the procession as it passes from Buckingham Palace to the parade ground.

To round off the four-day celebrations, the Platinum Jubilee Pageant will take place on Sunday 5 June. With more than 10,000 people taking part in the event, parades will take over the streets from Westminster, down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. The Gold State Carriage will take the lead (although, the Queen won’t travelling inside) followed by thousands of soldiers, performers, key workers and members of the general public. Some famous faces and national treasures are expected to be involved, too.