An occasion 70 years in the making, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are sure to be a highlight of summer 2022. Around the UK, millions are set to join in on the royal festivities, alongside lots of other exciting activities planned across our bonus four-day weekend.
Naturally, London is set to be at the heart of the action. As the host of many a royal wedding, coronation and jubilee before it, the Platinum Jubilee this year will once again see the capital come together to mark a moment in British history. So, what exactly will be going on?
When is Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee?
The Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday runs from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June 2022. It’s unusual for a bank holiday to take place on a Thursday, but this date marks Her Majesty’s official birthday! While the usual Spring Bank Holiday has been pushed back to accommodate the Jubilee, we still get a bonus bank holiday to mark the occasion in style.
Travelling by train over the Jubilee Weekend
Remember to plan ahead as trains will be busy. Where large events are taking place, queuing systems will be in operation. Check your last train times and allow extra time to complete your journey.
Enjoy the celebrations but dress for the unpredictable British weather. Bring sun cream and a rain coat!
Carry a bottle of water with you. If you feel unwell, do not board a train. Seek assistance at the next station if you’re unwell on route.
A Saturday service will be in operation on bank holiday days and Saturday 4 June. A Sunday service will operate as normal on Sunday 5 June.
Things to do in London for the Queen’s Jubilee
Street parties and colourful celebrations are set to cover every corner of the country. There’s sure to be something happening close to home, but to get in on the biggest and boldest proceedings, why not make a trip of it and head for the bright lights of London?
Queen Elizabeth I meet and greet at the Charterhouse
Charterhouse Square, Barbican, London EC1M 6AN
10:15 on Tuesday 31 May and 15:45 on Wednesday 1 June 2022
Heading to the capital with the family for the big weekend? Well, though a meet and greet with Queen Elizabeth II was going to be a longshot, there’s always her namesake predecessor.
On the way to her own coronation, Queen Elizabeth I stopped by the Charterhouse. It’s at this very same spot that families are invited to re-enact these history-making preparations, alongside a costumed interpreter bringing Queen Elizabeth I to life, with attendees of all ages ensuring the upcoming event is fit for royalty! Plus, if you loved the Charterhouse, why not explore some similar historic houses and stately homes in the South West?
Tickets are free for adults, alongside a charge of £10.00 per child.
How to get there: Our closest station to the Barbican is London Waterloo. Join the Underground and take the northbound Northern Line for one stop to Embankment. Change here for the eastbound District or Circle lines, then hop off at Mansion House. It’s around 16 minutes’ walk north west of here to get to The Charterhouse.
Waterloo Street Party
London Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SW
12:00 to 17:00 on Wednesday 1 June 2022
Experience a London transport hub in a very different light at the Waterloo Street Party. Providing an alternative to the usual hustle and bustle, this one-off event will see commuters and tourists invited to pull up a seat and get in on a spot of afternoon tea. This thoroughly British affair will have all the bunting, cakes, and cuppas you’d expect, all with the aim of raising money for charity through a partnership with homelessness organisation Beyond Food.
How to get there: You can travel into London Waterloo from across the South Western Railway network.
Superbloom
The Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB
Wednesday 1 June to Sunday 18 September 2022
The Queen’s passion for gardening and floral displays is well noted, so Her Majesty would surely be taken by Superbloom. With over 20 million individual seeds planted, the moat at the Tower of London is expected to erupt in a sea of colour this summer. A natural tribute to our monarch’s seven decades on the throne, you’ll wind your way through a specially commissioned soundscape, with vibrant plant species and sculptural elements hiding around every corner. Strolling among the bees and the butterflies, you’ll soon forget you’re at the heart of the capital.
Tickets to Superbloom can be booked online. They start from £12.00 per adult and £6.00 per child, with family and concessions passes also available.
How to get there: You can soon reach the Tower of London by arriving into London Waterloo. Head down to the Tube and catch the northbound Northern Line to Embankment. Swap here for the eastbound Circle or District Lines, then get off at Tower Hill and you should emerge right by the Tower of London. You could also cover this same journey on the 381 bus.
Tower of London
Trooping the Colour and a RAF fly-past
Horse Guards Parade and The Mall, London SW1A 1AA
09:00 to 13:00 on Thursday 2 June 2022
The British Monarchy is an institution rooted in tradition. It seems suitable then that an 18th century ritual should kick off festivities, in the form of the epic Trooping the Colour. Performed yearly since 1760 to mark
The Sovereign’s official birthday, 2022’s event marks an occasion like no other. All attendees – royal or otherwise –
can expect to be treated to a dazzling display of up to 1,450 soldiers and 400 musicians on the legendary Horse Guards Parade.
Over on The Mall, a mile-long road that leads up to Buckingham Palace’s gates, a parade of 200 soldiers from the 1st Battalion will line the streets. It’s from here you’ll get a spectacular view as RAF jets blast across the London skyline in tribute to Her Majesty’s 70-year reign.
The seating at Horse Guards Parade is fully booked, however revellers are welcome to gather and watch events from The Mall and St James’s Park.
How to get there: The nearest South Western Railway station to Buckingham Palace and The Mall is London Waterloo. Once you arrive, hop on the aptly-named Jubilee Line westbound, then get off at Green Park.
A Very Royal Opera House
Bow St, London WC2E 9DD
Friday 3 June 2022
As its name would suggest, London’s Royal Opera House has hosted many a monarch in its times. But this London institution has certainly never seen one of its attendants reach their Platinum Jubilee – and that’s precisely why they’re flinging open their doors for this extra special event. For one day only, attendees will have uninterrupted access to the inner workings of the Royal Opera House. From secret stairways to regal retreats, you’ll get the chance to inspect every detail of this London landmark.
Tickets start from £16.00 for adults and £12.00 for under 16s.
How to get there: Using the South Western Railway network, arrive by train to London Waterloo. From the station, it’s three stops northbound on the Northern Line to get to Leicester Square. If you hop off here, the Opera House is around eight minutes’ walk. But if you don’t mind stretching your legs, you can cover the full distance between Waterloo and the Opera House on foot in 16 minutes.
Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Buckingham Palace, London SW1 1AA
Sunday 5 June 2022
The next big event in the official Jubilee calendar will be the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. A world away from the formalities of Trooping the Colour, this colourful carnival is set to bring together more than 6,000 performers from all corners of the UK and Commonwealth. It’ll reflect not only on Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign, but bring to life the ever-evolving art, media and culture of these last seven decades. With a 3km route similar to that travelled by the Queen on her coronation, hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line London’s streets, and you could be among them.
How to get there: the pageant will take place along roads surrounding Buckingham Palace. You can get to the area by arriving into SWR railway stations like London Waterloo and Vauxhall. From these, you can take direct Underground trains to nearby stops like Green Park, Westminster, and Bond Street. You could also take the 139 bus from outside Waterloo Station on Waterloo Road, hopping off at Piccadilly Circus and setting off down Piccadilly.
Buckingham Palace
Things to do in Windsor for the Queen’s Jubilee
There’s also lots to enjoy in neighbouring Windsor – unsurprising given its royal connections! Here are a few of our favourite Jubilee activities to get you started.
Beacon lighting and fireworks
The Long Walk, Windsor SL4 2HH
19:00 on Thursday 2 June 2022
As darkness falls on the evening of Jubilee weekend, hundreds of beacons are due to be lit across the country. This is a longstanding tradition when it comes to marking royal occasions, and with its strong regal connections, Windsor is certainly getting in on the event. Along the famous Long Walk, the town will fire up its beacon before fireworks erupt in the skies above Windsor Castle. Free to attend, it’s an excellent option for families.
How to get there: You can travel to Windsor & Eton Riverside by rail. The Long Walk begins nine minutes’ walk east of the station.
The Long Walk
Picnic in the park
The Long Walk, Windsor SL4 2HH
11:00 on Saturday 4 June 2022
Is there anything more British than a summer picnic? Come the Saturday of Jubilee Weekend, Long Walk’s lawns will be a sea of gingham and sandwiches, as thousands of revellers gather to celebrate in the open air.
Alongside plenty of stalls selling refreshments, attendees can cast their eyes over a selection of classic cars spanning the seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign. There’ll even be live performances and cinema screens scattered around – so all that’s left is to hope for sunshine!
How to get there:Windsor & Eton Riverside railway station can be reached via the South Western Railway network. Once you arrive, it’s less than ten minutes’ walk to the Castle end of the Long Walk.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth Jubilee events
Making tracks for London and Windsor to get in on the action? South Western Railway’s network can get you there. Take a look at our train tickets and find the right ticket type for your journey. Don’t forget to check if you’re eligible for Railcards & discounts, and start planning which SWR Rewards you could take advantage of when you buy direct through us.
