Celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Her Majesty The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. We'll be commemorating this historic occasion in a number of ways at the places we care for across the bank holiday weekend from 2-5 June. We're also celebrating through our tree planting projects through the year as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

Castles, crowns and corgis

In her letter to the nation, the Queen said that she hoped the Jubilee 'will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities'. And in that spirit, however you plan to spend the weekend, we'd love for you to join us.

Here you can find Jubilee events near you and other ideas for the weekend of celebration. From crown-making sessions and corgi trails to beacon lighting and stepping into the 1950s through music and exhibitions, there's plenty to get involved in. You can also discover our pick of bank holiday walks, recipes perfect for picnics and street parties, and learn about royal connections to the places in our care.

A girl wearing a flower crown

Celebrate the Jubilee with us 

Celebrate the Jubilee over the long bank holiday weekend. From beacon lighting and crafts, to games and activities, we've got hundreds of events up and down the country for good old-fashioned get-togethers at the places in our care.

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Jubilee weekend ideas

Make the most of the long weekend with family and friends, whether you’re partying at home or picnicking in the great outdoors. Here are some ideas, from baking to bunting, to help you have a royally good celebration. 

Image shows a Jubilee party in full swing

Find your perfect picnic spot 

Why not make a picnic fit for a queen and enjoy a day out with family and friends? Find our top picnic spots near you. You can also find more ideas on some tasty treats to make at home and take with you.

Couple walking on the cliff tops along the Durham Coast

Enjoy a summer walk 

Stretch your legs and make the most of the long weekend with a bank holiday stroll. From meandering through meadows and moorland to exploring parkland, gardens and the rugged coast. There's a walk just for you.

Small boy cutting out pastry

Family activities to do at home 

We've got plenty of fun activities for you to do wherever you are this summer. Grab your apron and follow a recipe video to make some delicious ham and cheese baked eggs. Plus, find lots more to keep little hands busy with crafts and playful ideas to try at home.

Royal connections

A four-poster bed dated 1675 and the bay window

Royal connections in our collections 

Discover some of the best royal connections in our collections. From textiles with links to ill-fated queens and books read to kings, many of the items we look after have royal links.

An archive black and white photograph of Mrs Greville standing with a dog in her arms

Places with royal stories to tell 

Many of the places we look after have connections to kings, queens and other members of royalty. Here's our pick of the best. Why not visit to uncover the full story?

Planting a legacy

 

 

Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee through tree planting

This year, as part of our tree planting ambitions, and in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), we’ll be planting and dedicating trees to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen as she becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

QGC is a unique tree planting initiative created to commemorate this historic occasion. We’ll be marking this milestone with 70 new tree planting projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The projects will create a legacy, honouring Her Majesty’s leadership over the past 70 years and will benefit wildlife and future generations to come.

The following ancient woodlands have also been dedicated for The Queen's Green Canopy:

Benthall Woodland, Shropshire

Blickling Wood, Norfolk

Fingle Woods, Teign Valley

Horner Wood, Somerset

Dinefwr Park and Dinefwr Castle Woods, Carmarthenshire

Several ancient trees in our care have also been dedicated. These include Tolpuddle Martyrs' Tree (sycamore), Dorset; Newton's Apple Tree, Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire; the Ankerwycke Yew, Wraysbury, Berkshire; and a veteran oak tree at Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey. 

This planting has been funded by National Trust supporters and a generous legacy. It will see a range of projects get underway in 2022 - from replacing individual trees to larger-scale planting such as the recreation of historic tree avenues lost to disease, old age or storms.

These projects form part of our ambitious programme to restore avenues, conserve ancient trees and protect our ancient woodlands. It will also contribute to our aim to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030.

 

Flowers with the royal seal of approval

From woodland wild flowers to cottage garden blooms, meet just some of the flowers that hold a place in royal affections.    

Primrose
Close up of sea holly flower
Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) 'Blue Lagoon', with deep royal blue flowers
Sweet Williams in the cutting garden in July at Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

Her Majesty The Queen has said that plants, trees and flowers have been a source of pleasure throughout her life. Along with Lily of the Valley, did you know that the primrose is one of her favourite flowers?

Sea holly (Eryngium)

Alongside orchids that featured in the Queen's wedding bouquet, touchingly, sea holly was included in the floral displays at the funeral of Prince Philip. A fitting tribute to his naval career and lifelong affection for the sea.

Delphinium

Did you know that this cottage garden staple is a favourite of Prince Charles? He's previously said that 'the magnificent, gloriously apparelled delphinium...holds pride of place in my botanical affections.'

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Could these fragrant flowers be named after William the Conqueror as some plant historians believe? From one William to another, it's thought Catherine Middleton's bridal bouquet included them as a tribute to her bridegroom.

Celebrate the Jubilee

There’s plenty going on at the places in our care over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, so come and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with us this summer

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