Gloucestershire is getting warmed up for an extended weekend of royal celebrations – with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place from Thursday 2 until Sunday 5 June 2022.
From quintessentially British afternoon teas to outdoor picnics with live music, this summer’s patriotic festivities will mark the Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne, with SoGlos flagging some of the best ways to celebrate in Gloucestershire!
1. Relish a Royal Picnic and Party in the Park
Head to Pittville Park for what promises to be Cheltenham’s largest free two-day community event this jubilee weekend.
The Royal Picnic and Party in the Park will feature live musical performances from the likes of DJ Paul Grace, DJ Jim Hannaway and The Lady and The Sax.
Expect barbecues, classic cream teas and gelato, as well as the lighting of Cheltenham’s beacon too!
2. Discover Cowley Village Platinum Jubilee Village Fete
Taking over Cowley Manor’s glorious grounds on Saturday 4 June 2022, Cowley’s Jubilee Village Fete will be jam packed with live music and family-friendly entertainment this bank holiday weekend.
Featuring dog shows and alpacas, barbeques and cake stalls, budding royals can also compete for the best jubilee crown maker, while their parents enjoy a summer drink at the pop-up licensed bar.
3. Attend a Royal Garden Party at Ellenborough Park
What better way to celebrate the jubilee than with a fabulous garden party? Kicking off the festivities, Ellenborough Park will be helping guests to kick back with some music, garden games, afternoon teas and picnics.
Little royals are also invited to don their best royal costumes for photos in a newly decorated royal carriage, whilst grown-up princes and princesses can enjoy gin cocktails in the sunshine served from teapots!
Tickets for the Royal Garden Party start from £30 per person, while the Jubilee Picnic costs £75 per person.
4. Enjoy a jubilee afternoon tea at the Everyman Theatre – or get baking!
With a Bake-Off inspired tent serving ice cream and Pimm’s, the Everyman Theatre is host an afternoon of jubilee merriment on Friday 3 June 2022.
Jubilee celebrators can also enjoy music and afternoon tea on the theatre’s Regent Street terrace, with a menu including mini quiches, blueberry meringues, chocolate and Baileys eclairs and plenty more!
Plus, if you’re inspired to get baking yourself over the jubilee bank holiday, make sure you enter the Great Gloucestershire Bake Off competition for the chance to be named the county’s Star Baker!
5. Travel back in time at Tewkesbury Vintage Jubilee Party
Enjoy the bank holiday with a blast from the past at Tewkesbury’s Vintage Jubilee Party.
On Saturday 4 June 2022, royal guests will be welcomed to a nostalgic celebration, complete with live entertainment, homemade cakes, vintage tearooms, vintage themed stalls and traditional family games. The event will be opened by the ‘Hi de Hi’ yellow coats, for an authentic 1950s feel.
6. Have a lively celebration at the Jubilee Jam at The Brewery Quarter
Cheltenham’s lively lifestyle and leisure destination, The Brewery Quarter, will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an afternoon of live music as part of its Jubilee Jam.
Visitors can enjoy an alfresco drink in the sunshine from Brewhouse & Kitchen’s outdoor bar, while listening to live performances from the likes of Roguey Roads and The Mark Walby band. Royal revellers can also take advantage of the culinary hub’s abundance of food outlets, including recent additions Pho and Flight Club.
7. Take in a jubilee display at Gloucester Museum
Running from Friday 20 May 2022 until Sunday 12 June 2022, the Museum of Gloucester is showcasing flags designed by children from 18 primary schools in Gloucester, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Inspired by the River of Hope project, visitors can follow the display of flags across the museum to uncover messages of hope for the future written by the children.
8. Head over to The Speech House Jubilee Street Party
Join The Speech House Hotel on Friday 3 June 2022 for an afternoon of jubilee merriment.
Little ones can enjoy everything from face painting to bouncy castles and even a puppy petting area, while parents tuck into classic afternoon teas and enjoy live performances from the likes of the Lydbrook Silver Band. The event will also feature street food, including barbecues, sourdough pizza and hog roasts.
9. Visit the Off With Their Heads exhibition in Nailsworth
Discover a creative display of British contemporary art at Three Storeys in Nailsworth for your jubilee festivities this June.
Showcasing four local award-winning artists, the exhibition aims to honour the Queen’s reign from a fresh and controversial perspective, featuring local landscapes, nature, children’s stories, current affairs and much more. The exhibition will be on display on Tuesday 31 May 2022, Wednesday 1 June 2022 and Saturday 4 June 2022, from 10am until 3pm.
10. Experience a weekend of jubilee fun at Burleigh Court Hotel
Set to host everything from a Jubilee pizza and lunch party to royal afternoon teas, Burleigh Court Hotel is preparing for a jam-packed bank holiday weekend.
On Thursday 2 June 2022, the hotel will start the celebrations with its Jubilee Pizza Party, serving wood fired pizzas, alongside some fireworks. There will also be a jubilee-inspired afternoon tea, available from Thursday 2 June 2022 until Saturday 4 June 2022. To round things off, their Jubilee Lunch Party takes place on Saturday 5 June 2022, offering an alfresco dining experience and live music from Kisskie.
11. Drop in for a Jubilee Jolly at Sandford Park, Cheltenham
Bringing the royal celebrations to the heart of Cheltenham, Sandford Park’s Jubilee Jolly invites visitors to make the most of the long weekend this summer.
On Sunday 5 June 2022, little aristocrats can enjoy this free-to-attend event with children’s face painting; live music; inflatable squash and mini tennis courts. Plus, there’s a chance for them to show off their most royal attire in the fancy dress parade. There will also be stalls from local craftspeople and charities, as well as food stalls and a dog competition.
12. Take a hamper for the Picnic Proms at Llanthony Secunda Priory
Pack up a picnic and head over to Llanthony Secunda Priory for a weekend of family-friendly entertainment and live music.
With performances from the likes of the Beaufort Male Voice Choir, Churchdown Male Voice Choir and the City of Bristol Brass Band, the free event will also be visited by Clements Café, serving everything from ice creams to wine and Gloucester Brewery Beers. The event takes place on Saturday 4 June 2022, with gates opening at 1pm and music starting from 2pm.
13. Join the Cheltenham community with the Jubilunch on Regent Street
The Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Cheltenham Business Improvement District and TURF Cheltenham on the Jubilunch on Friday 3 June 2022.
Showcasing local producers and independent businesses, Regent Street will be taken over by food and drink stalls, live musical performances and a large communal table running down its centre – bringing together the local community for this year’s jubilee celebrations. Taking place from 12pm until 6pm, the event is expected to attract between 500 and 1,000 guests!
14. Visit Beckford for a Jubilee Open Village
Starting on Saturday 4 June 2022 and finishing on Sunday 5 June 2022, join an open village celebration in Beckford.
From 1pm until 5pm each day, visitors can enjoy entertainment including classic car and vintage radio displays, afternoon teas and a Platinum Party at The Beckford Inn. Plus, there will also be a children’s royal treasure hunt, barbeque and champagne bar!
15. Find the missing corgis at Gloucester Quays Jubilee Corgi Trail
Channel your inner explorer and discover Buckingham Palace’s runaway corgis to win a jubilee treat.
On the run from Saturday 28 May 2022 until Monday 6 June 2022, little ones can spot corgis hiding in shop windows across Gloucester Quays and collect the missing letters to spell a mystery word. Cunning detectives can also enter the royal prize draw, with a chance to win a £50 Gloucester Quays gift card.
16. Tuck into a burger ‘fit for a queen’ at Cirencester’s Teatro Bar and Restaurant
Available from Saturday 28 May 2022 until the end of the bank holiday, royal enthusiasts can get stuck into the Coronation Chicken Burger at Teatro Bar and Restaurant in Cirencester.
Fried in spiced buttermilk, visitors can enjoy the burger with Red, White and Blue cocktails, created from a unique blend of gin, blue curacao, lime juice and simple syrup – garnished with freeze dried raspberries.
Plus, guests can also dance the night away at the restaurants Platinum Jubilee Barbeque and Dance, taking place on Friday 3 June 2022.
17. Dine out on a Jubilee tasting menu at the East India Café
Opening especially for the jubilee celebrations on Sunday 5 June 2022, the East India Café will take guests through a special Anglo-Indian fine dining experience.
Inspired by the British Raj period, the restaurant is serving five courses, washed down with a glass of fizz!
18. Enter the Platinum Jubilee Creative Challenge
Taking place across the country, little aristocrats can design their own royal crown to celebrate the Queen this bank holiday weekend.
Using colouring pens, paint and glitter, children can enter their creations into the Jubilee Creative Challenge once finished. To enter, simply upload your fabulous fabrications to social media with the hashtag #PlatinumJubilee.
19. Watch the jubilee celebrations on TV
Tune in with the rest of the nation for live broadcasts celebrating the Queen’s historic 70-year reign.
Families and friends can come together in true British fashion, as artists such as George Ezra and Ed Sheeran take centre stage for the celebrations. The Platinum Party at the Palace will take place on Saturday 4 June 2022, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, whilst The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will continue the celebrations on Sunday 5 June 2022.
