Celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with these royalty-inspired holidays and trips to take advantage of the long weekend
UK
Sparkling celebrations at a Royal Warrant hotel in London – from £868 per night with Pride of Britain Hotels
London and Buckingham Palace will be a hive of activity for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Goring, located close to Buckingham Palace, has been welcoming royalty since opening in 1910 and is the only hotel in the world to have been granted a Royal Warrant, in 1990, by HM The Queen. It’s a firm favourite of the Royal family, with the Queen Mother formerly a regular visitor and the Duchess of Cambridge staying there before her wedding to Prince William. The Goring will commemorate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a sequence of celebrations, including a Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea (£60 pp/£70 pp including a glass of champagne; 19 Apr.-2 Oct.), a Coronation à la carte menu (dishes from £19 pp; available now), a Jubilee Fizz gold leaf champagne cocktail (£28 pp; available now) and The Goring Jubilee Stay, which includes the Platinum Jubilee Tea, Jubilee Fizz cocktail with regal canapés, a three-course Coronation-inspired dinner with Champagne and full English breakfast (from £868 per night; two sharing; two-night stays from Apr.-Sept.). Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).
Balmoral for the weekend, anyone? – Devon, £114 pp with Canine Cottages
It may not have the stateliness or proportions of Her Majesty’s Scottish abode, but Balmoral - Ilfracombe (sleeps eight, plus one dog) is a very spacious and stylish open-plan apartment – somewhere really special to make memories with family and friends over the elongated weekend – in the seaside resort of Ilfracombe. Only a short walk away are the Victorian Tunnels Beaches, which are steeped in history and where you can bathe in what was once the ladies' pool. A three-night self-catering stay arriving Friday 3 June costs £114 pp (£905 total). £20 supplement for a dog. Visit Canine Cottages (www.caninecottages.co.uk).
Bag a bit of Highgrove – Gloucestershire for £356 pp with holidaycottages.co.uk
Whilst bagging a stay at Highgrove House – private residence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall – might be out of reach for most us, you can still celebrate all that is royal this Platinum Jubilee weekend with a visit to the Highgrove Shop nearby, on Tetbury High Street. With products designed exclusively for Highgrove, you’ll find luxury food and drink, gardening accessories, stylish textiles and soft furnishings. Stay at the aptly-named Apartment 2 – The Crown (sleeps two), a contemporary ground-floor property tucked away in the heart this vibrant Cotswold market town. It’s a perfect base for exploring this part of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and steeped in local history… or for simply cosying up together to watch the Jubilee pageantry on TV. The large lounge area has high ceilings and beautiful wooden floors. A three-night self-catering stay arriving Friday 3 June costs £356 pp (£712 total). Visit holidaycottages.co.uk (www.holidaycottages.co.uk).
Royal steeds in Suffolk – from £165 per night at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa
Originally built as a Georgian hunting lodge for the Duke of Bedford, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa sits in manicured gardens in Newmarket, the birthplace and global centre of thoroughbred horse racing. The Queen’s love of horses – and horse racing – is well known, though less well known is the fact that her horses have won many prestigious races at Newmarket over the years, including her home-bred colt, Tactical, which saw success at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile in April 2021. Take a horse-racing-inspired visit to Newmarket to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, where the Jockey Club will be marking the anniversary with a celebratory line up of racing events including a Festival of Suffolk Raceday on 14 May and a Cambridgeshire County Day on 23 June. Discover Newmarket is offering a new ‘Racing Royalty Tour’ – a walking tour of the town highlighting its Royal connections, followed by a private tour of Palace House, Charles I’s former residence and part of the National Horseracing Museum. The Museum itself will also be participating in British Racing’s National Day of Volunteering on 5 May, supporting charities and projects within the community combined with the Jubilee celebrations. An overnight stay at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa costs from £165 per night, including full English breakfast and use of the health club facilities. Visit www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk or call 01638 663175.
A Scottish Highland fling – from £250 per night with Pride of Britain Hotels
Nestled within the spectacular landscape of the Cairngorms National Park, The Fife Arms is an imaginative art-filled hotel close to Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s Scottish holiday home. The grounds, gardens and Ballroom at Balmoral Castle will be open from 1 April – 2 August this year and a special exhibition and Jubilee weekend afternoon tea will be available. The Braemar Gathering, or the Royal Highland Games – part of the Scottish Highland Games – takes place five-minutes’ walk from the Fife Arms each September. Since 1848, the gathering has been attended by the reigning Monarch and members of the Royal Family. The hotel’s Victoriana Suites, where Queen Victoria once stayed, were inspired by the Royal Highland Games. An overnight stay at The Fife Arms costs from £250 per night (two sharing), including full English breakfast. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).
Platinum Jubilee Guided Walking Tour of Windsor with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide
As preparations to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee gather pace across the land, Britain’s prestigious Blue Badge Tourist Guides are gearing up too, offering professionally guided tours of royal sites and fun, family-friendly itineraries to engage people of all ages in the significance of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Choose from an array of options that includes this Platinum Jubilee Walking Tour of Windsor, led by Barbara Askew. Starting on Windsor Bridge and ending at the Long Walk, you’ll hear about The Queen’s early life, her connections with Eton College, her role as ‘Seigneur of the Swans’ on the River Thames, and much more. The guided walk – which lasts 2.5 hrs hours and costs £180 for a group of up to 20 people – also includes a visit to the place where The Queen’s Accession to the throne was proclaimed in 1952. To book, call Barbara on 07702 224367 or visit www.britainsbestguides.org/guides/barbara-askew. Find a professional guide offering Platinum Jubilee, royal history and other tours in your area at www.britainsbestguides.org.
Get the royal treatment this Jubilee weekend – Elite Hotels from £40 pp
Celebrate the Jubilee ‘40s style’ at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club in the heart of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Sip bubbles and raise a glass to the Queen, whilst enjoying a delicious Champagne Afternoon Tea on the sun-trap terrace, listening to the 1940s duo, Swing Time Sweetheart, playing ‘golden oldies’ from the Queen’s coronation years (price is £60 pp). Wave flags amongst the bunting and balloons at the Jubilee indoor street party at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, where guests will lunch on fine British delicacies, quaff a glass of bubbly and dance to live music (price is £40 pp). Or get into the royal swing of things at Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens in Hampshire with a celebratory Jubilee Afternoon Tea. Listen to live jazz and swing music in grand surroundings, and saviour the once-in-a-lifetime festivities (price is £46 pp). All events are taking place on Sunday 5 June. Guests can view the live televised events throughout the official Jubilee weekend including The Queen's Birthday Parade and Trooping of the Colour (2 June), Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral (3 June) and a Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace (4 June). Visit www.elitehotels.co.uk for further information.
EUROPE
Recreate a royal romance in Valletta – Malta from £668 pp with Kirker*
Princess Elizabeth (as she was then) and her new husband, Prince Philip (a Naval Officer, serving on HMS Magpie), spent two blissful years (1949-51) as royal newlyweds on Malta, where they lived at Villa Guardamangia, just outside Valletta. Make your own memories of this magnificent Mediterranean island during a stay at the sumptuous five-star The Phoenicia. Set at the gateway to the Maltese capital, this iconic hotel enjoys spectacular views across Marsamxetto Harbour, and offers cool Colonial-style interiors, lush terraced gardens, an outdoor heated swimming pool, plus superb service. A three-night stay costs from £668 pp (two sharing), including flights (regional departures available), private transfers, B&B, and the services of the Kirker Concierge to book expert local guides or a table for dinner. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2288, www.kirkerholidays.com.
Escape to peaceful Alonissos – Greece from £1,279 pp with GIC The Villa Collection*
Make the most of the extra-long bank holiday weekend with a trip to the Greek islands. With its private, forested hillside position, and just a two-minute walk down to the charming waterside, Katia’s House is an ideal retreat for couples. Overlooking the tiny fishing port of Kalamakia, when not relaxing by the private pool, feast on fresh fish caught that day from a selection of seafood tavernas. Want to explore further? Head to the nearby beaches of Glyfa and Agios Dimitrios (under a 10-minute drive away), or jump aboard a boat, which can be hired from the harbour to discover the island by sea. A seven-night stay now costs £1,279 pp (two sharing), including flights with 20kg hold luggage (Gatwick), ferry transfers and car hire. Departs 27 May. Call AITO* member GIC The Villa Collection on 020 8232 9780 (www.gicthevillacollection.com).
Holiday in palatial royal splendour – Central Portugal from £1,747 pp with Sunvil*
Stay in central Portugal over the Jubilee weekend and stop over at Quinta das Lagrimas, one of the most famous hotels in Portugal. Located between Lisbon and Porto, this fascinating 18th century property is steeped in history, tradition, and royal connections. The Duke of Wellington stayed here, and it’s the setting for a forbidden medieval love story between King Pedro of Portugal and Ines de Castro, leading to the hotel’s moniker - Estate of Tears. This handsome mansion is set in 20 acres of world class botanical gardens (including two trees planted by the Duke of Wellington himself) and retains many original characterful features, including lavish high ceilings and fabulous frescoes. Made up of tranquil garden- facing bedrooms, it has a knockout terrace and swimming pool with grand super loungers. The ‘Arcadas’ gourmet restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine, along with an impressive wine list of the best wines of Portugal. There is a peaceful spa retreat with treatment rooms, modern indoor swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath as well as a 9-hole golf course. A leisurely fifteen-minute walk away, Coimbra is well worth a visit with its UNESCO world heritage University, Baroque-era architecture and Roman ruins. A seven-night stay on a B&B basis is £1,747 pp (two sharing), including flights and 23 kg hold luggage (Gatwick) and car hire. Departs 1 June. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).
*AITO is The Specialist Travel Association: more than 120 specialist independent holiday companies and 80 specialist independent travel agents, together providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas covering every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO members can be assured of high-quality holidays, excellent personal service and full financial protection. Visit www.aito.com for further information.