Royal Jubilee Weekend
INTRODUCTION
This itinerary is scoped out to cover the Jubilee Weekend and is based on events organised to celebrate the Jubilee in or around London for the period of 2 – 5 June 2012. Currently many of the arrangements for Jubilee events are not fully confirmed (in many cases full details being released only early in 2012). Most importantly also are resulting logistical considerations like traffic restrictions, security etc during the weekend not yet known. Timings therefore are planned around this assumption. The itinerary is based around general Jubilee public events as reasonably known at this time and allowing clients the opportunity to experience these as appropriate e.g. observing the Pageant on the Thames on Sunday 3 June. The tours will be escorted by representatives of More Than Good Manners at all times.
Costs are available on application and are based on a group of thirty; although quotes for smaller groups can be given on request (we would recommend that a minimum group size should be fifteen for the purposes of costing). Costs exclude accommodation and transportation (although quotes for the latter can be made on request). Costs for meals are not included unless specified although quotes can be given on request.
SATURDAY 2 JUNE (A DAY AT THE RACES)
09.30 Guests depart for Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby is one of the most famous horse races in the UK and importantly is noted for its unique party atmosphere and the opportunity to people watch. It will be attended by HM the Queen as the starting point of her Jubilee Weekend celebrations. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere from the Queens Stand. The Queen’s Stand is the most exclusive area at Epsom and has the best views and facilities at the Course. For this option, guests are required to wear morning dress. Fittings can be arranged in advance by More than Good Manners on the proceeding day. There are a number of catering options available outside the Queen’s Stand, which would be extra costs.
As an alternative to a day at the Epsom Derby, a Day of Country Pursuits at a country house near London can be arranged – see sample itinerary with costs for reference based at Braxted.
SUNDAY 3 JUNE
10.00 Guided tour of the South Bank area of London and opportunity to observe the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. This event will take place on the River Thames and consist of up to 1000 boats assembled from across the United Kingdom, The Commonwealth and across the world. The Queen will travel on the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla.
12.00 Lunch at the Skylon Restaurant (costs extra – on application). The Skylon Restaurant is located within the Royal Festival Hall and has one of the best views across the River Thames in London which makes an ideal base to view the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Royal Festival Hall is one of London’s iconic landmarks, and was opened just before the Festival of Britain in 1951.
MONDAY 4 JUNE
09.30 Guests depart for visit to Kew Palace and Kew Gardens. (Located in South West of London).
The building today known as Kew Palace and opposite the site of the former palace, was originally a mansion of moderate proportions known as the Dutch House. It was taken on a long lease by George III. Country home of George III’s aunts, the palace came into use as a school house when the royal family was living at the White House, just opposite Kew Palace.
George III and Queen Charlotte used Kew Palace as a school house for their eldest sons, George, Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederick.
It was also here that George III was often convalescing from illness when he came to Kew in the latter years of his reign. He suffered through several bouts of a mysterious illness that affected every organ in his body and caused mental derangement.
Modern diagnosis suggests his symptoms were caused by ‘porphyria’, an inherited metabolic illness.
After visiting Kew Palace, guests will have the opportunity to explore Kew Gardens. Kew Gardens originated in the exotic garden at Kew Park formed by Lord Capel John of Tewkesbury. It was enlarged and extended by Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, the widow of Frederick, Prince of Wales, for whom Sir William Chambers built several garden structures. One of these, the lofty Chinese pagoda built in 1761 still remains. George III enriched the gardens, aided by William Aiton and Sir Joseph Banks. The old Kew Park (by then renamed the White House), was demolished in 1802.
12.30 Lunch at Kew Gardens in the Orangery (costs extra – on application).
14.00 Depart for Central London.
15.00 Visit to the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace is a permanent space dedicated to changing exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection, the wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen for the nation.
TUESDAY 5 JUNE
10.00 This final day is based in and around the City of London and starts with a guided panoramic tour by foot of the Spitalfields area of London including St Bartholemew the Great. It is intended that the tour will also allow the opportunity Observe carriage procession on way to Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls being attended by HM The Queen from vantage point along route in the vicinity of St Paul’s (which is very close by).
The Smithfield area, which includes St Bartholomew's Hospital and Smithfield Market, is a relatively unknown but fascinating part of the City of London. At the heart of it all is a church built when Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, was King of England. It survived the Great Fire of 1666 and the bombs dropped in Zeppelin raids in World War I and during the Blitz in World War II Today the Church has a reputation not only for wonderful architecture, because it has appeared in a series of award-winning films including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, The End of the Affair, Amazing Grace, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and The Other Boleyn Girl.
12.30 Lunch at Chez Gerrard, opposite HM Tower of London. (Costs extra – on application)
14.00 Visit to HM Tower of London.
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. The castle was used as a prison since at least 1100, although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence.
The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and is now the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
If guests have previously visited HM Tower of London on the optional Evening Tour (see in Jubilee Itinerary) an alternative afternoon visit is proposed to the Museum of London. The Museum of London documents the history of London from the Prehistoric to the present day. It is a few minutes' walk north of St Paul's Cathedral, overlooking the remains of the Roman city wall. The museum comprises a series of chronological galleries containing original artefacts, models, pictures and diagrams, with a strong emphasis on archaeological discoveries, the built city, urban development and London's social and cultural life, with interactive displays and activities for all ages. Included is a visit to ‘Dickens and London’ the first major exhibition on Dickens in Britain for forty years Highlights of the exhibition will include an innovative audio-visual experience bringing to life the desk and chair where Dickens worked on his novels, and a specially commissioned film by one of the UK’s leading documentary filmmakers, William Raban, which will explore the similarities between London after dark today and the night time city described by Dickens over 150 years ago.
16.00 Guests leave HM Tower of London and tour concludes.