Everything you need to know about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations around Tunbridge Wells…
Hang out the bunting, get the trifles prepared. The Queen’s diamond jubilee is fast approaching! We’ve compiled a list of all the best things going on for the platinum jubilee in and around Tunbridge Wells, so you’re sure to find a good way to celebrate the jubilee or just revel in the extra-long weekend.
Tunbridge Wells Jubilee Celebrations 2022
♥ Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have organised a totally free carnival-style parade on Friday 3 June. It kicks off at 12.45pm from the War Memorial on Mount Pleasant Road (just in front of the Town Hall). At 1pm there will be a military parade followed by a fun procession from the Town Hall leaving at 1.30pm. The route goes down Monsoon Road, up Calverley Road and Bayhall Road to Dunorlan park. There will then be a big party lunch in Dunorlan Fields (the side along Bayhall Road). There will be live music, a car show, face painting, balloon modeling and even a full-size fire engine.
Zero Waste Company | Photo Credit: Charlie Lyne for RTW Together
♥ The lovely folks at RTW Together are putting on a Jubilee Cake Off on The Pantiles. Local hospitality businesses are entering the competition to find the best cake in town. Pop along on 4 June between 11am and 3pm to try free cake and vote for your favourite.
♥ Over at Hever Castle – former home to not one but two Queens of England in its time, no less – they’re hosting a Jubilee weekend extravaganza. From 2 June to 5 June there will be a jewel hunt in the gardens, and an art trail. There will also be a cute-sounding Corgi hunt in the garden for little ones, with a chocolate prize at the end! There’s also a very futuristic augmented reality event where you can see visitors from Buckingham Palace at the Castle. If that’s not enough there’s fete games and food trucks.
♥ We love the village of Bidborough, and for the Platinum Jubilee they’re hosting their biggest village event for 10 years on 2 June. From 12.15-9.30pm there will be a huge range events including live music, a dog show, an It’s A Knock Out competition (sadly, at time of writing, no members of the Royal family had stepped up to partake in this one) and a performance by the children at Bidborough School. Tennis, strawberries, prosecco, crafts, food from the Kentish Hare – this event has it all.
♥ Further castle-based fun is happening at Leeds Castle from 2-5 June. The event will take you on a journey through the Middle Ages, telling the story of the six Queens who once lived at the castle. This is definitely one history buffs will love!
♥ If you’re a fan of Queen the band, then The Forum are ready to rock you (see what they’ve done there?!). On 2 June at 7.30pm they’ll be playing host to Fat Freddie & The Queens – a Queen tribute band.
♥ We would be seriously chuffed (not even sorry) to celebrate the Jubilee weekend at Spa Valley Railway. Climb aboard a steam train at Tunbridge Wells West and chug along the beautiful Spa Valley while enjoying a quintessential British afternoon tea. The journey will take you to Eridge and back, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy your sandwiches, cake and prosecco. Don’t mind if we do.
More of the best Tunbridge Wells Jubilee Celebrations!
♥ The gorgeous George & Dragon pub in Speldhurst is hosting a Jubilee garden party on 4 June. There will be live music, a barbecue cake and and good old-fashioned knees up. The event runs from 2-7pm.
♥ Kent is home to some of the best vineyards in the country, and Chapel Down is probably its most famous. They’re hosting an afternoon tea and tour of the vineyard experience on 4 & 5 June. You’ll be guided by experts through the tasting of six wines and then tuck into a superb afternoon tea at their award-winning The Swan restaurant.
♥ Head to Southborough’s Civic Centre on 4 June from 11am ’til 4pm for some Jubilee celebrations. There will be music, food, drink, local businesses selling their wares plus heaps more. There’s a fancy dress code (if you want) of red, white and blue.
♥ Reuthes: The Lost Garden of Sevenoaks are putting on a children’s party on 4 June from 5-9pm. They are inviting kids to dress up as princes or princesses and dance the evening away with tunes from the resident DJ. If that’s not enough there will be live guest appearances from an alpaca and they’ll be lighting their own beacon – plus there’s a beer tent for adults. You’re strongly advised to book ahead for this one.
♥ How cute is this? Gymboree are hosting a teddy bear’s picnic on 30 May at 3pm. There will be teacher-led imaginative play, a visit from Gymbo the clown and a couple of sweet-sounding competitions. You need to book, more details HERE.
♥ The pretty village of Marden is hosting a family community event on 4 June from 1-7pm. There will be stalls, entertainment and music on Southon’s Field.
♥ Another vineyard – we are spoilt for choice in Kent, and we ain’t complaining – Balfour are hosting a very sophisticated-sounding cocktail evening to celebrate the jubilee. The celebration is on 2 June at 7pm, costs £45 and includes specially made cocktails and canapes to enjoy as you take in the views and watch the sun set. Yes please!
♥ More train-based fun, this time at Kent and Sussex Railway. They’re hosting a Best of British weekend from 2-5 June. There’s 70% off fares (while tickets last) and fancy dress is encouraged, as well as bringing your Union Jack flags.
♥ Another gorgeous community-led event is happening at Hawkenbury Rec on 4 June. This will be BYO picnic, along with entertainment supplied in the form of kids’ activities, yoga classes, food and drink stalls, ice creams… The event kicks off at 11am and will go until 4pm.
♥ Why not immerse yourself in the regal world of the Tudors at Penshurst Place? There will be experts dressed as Tudors at the estate on 4 June to give you an insight of what life was like way in the 16th Century. Plus you can see the actual seats used for the coronation.
♥ Maidstone Museum are running a few Platinum Jubilee-themed make-it sessions on 30 & 31 May and 1 June. Kids can make a crown, castle or Corgi. Find more details HERE.
♥ Set high on a hill, the gorgeous village of Goudhurst is the perfect place to drink in the jubilee weekend, and the community is going all out for it. There will be a flower show at Christ Church in Kilndown all weekend, a family film and Cockney knees up at the Church Rooms in Goudhurst at 6pm on 2 June followed by beacon lighting and fireworks on 2 at 7.30pm. There’s also a family fun sports day on 3 June on the Green, a teen gig, a 50s-style dance, a pond floatilla and a car rally. Hats off to Goudhurst!
♥ Jazz on the Pantiles will be running on the bank holiday Thursday. Why not pop along? You have to book a table now at one of the participating restaurants to gain access to the live music.
♥ The folks at the Blue Anchor are hosting a live-music event on 4 June from 8.30pm.
♥ The town’s annual live-music festival Unfest will be running from 2-5 June at venues across the town including The Forum and The Sussex. You can find all the listings HERE.
♥ Cranbrook are hosting a Queen’s Jubilee Street Party on 5 June from 11am to 5pm. It’ll be on Cranbrook High Street and also there’ll be a band in The White Horse Public House.
♥ Also on 5 June there will be a community picnic with music and entertainment on Putlands Field in Paddock Wood. This one kicks off at 1pm and lasts until 5pm.
♥ Step into Wonderland at Groombridge Place. They’ll be hosting an Alice in Wonderland themed weekend on 2-5 June. Expect a visit from the Queen of Hearts herself, as well a birds of prey display, wood-carving demos and all the usual fun of Groombridge Place (canal boat, pirate-themed playground, Harry the Zeedonk.
♥ Visit Scotney Castle over the weekend and see if you can find the Queen’s corgis who have escaped in the grounds. Corgis at the Castle will be running all half term so you’ve got plenty of chance to round them up.
♥ Traditionally on the Queen’s jubilee there are beacons lit around the country. Head to Capel on 2 June at 9.35am to see them light the beacon.
♥ There’s a picnic in the park on 5 June at Lower Green Rec in Pembury. You can just turn up with your picnic and join in.
♥ Lamberhurst is another village that have gone big for the jubilee. There will be the winners of the best-dressed house competition announced at 8.30am on 2 June, along with a lighting of the beacon at 9.45am – both of these will be on Lamberhurst Down. On Friday 3 June there’s a tea dance in the village hall from 4-6pm, and a local band are playing at Chequers Field at 8-10pm. The Saturday (4 June) marks the open-garden day in the village (this is ticketed), a showing of Singing in the Rain at 6pm. Rounding off the weekend there’s a jubilee lunch on Chequers Field from 1pm and entertainment from the pantomime society from 4pm.