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As Her Majesty celebrates an astonishing 70 years on the throne, the rest of us have a glorious four-day bank holiday weekend free for toasting in her honour and kicking off summer fun.
How to make the most of this treat of a long weekend? Whether a traditional afternoon tea or a drag queen brunch is more your vibe, find Jubilee events and other things to do in Bristol.
Queen’s Jubilee-themed events in Bristol
Sit in the Queen's Seat at Aerospace Bristol
Feel like royalty in the Queen's seat of choice – 1A, at the front-left of the passenger cabin – on legendary aircraft Concorde Alpha Foxtrot at Aerospace Bristol. They'll be offering this rare opportunity throughout the four-day weekend, on a first come, first served basis.
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Image - Aerospace Bristol
Under The Sea Jubilee at Bristol Aquarium
Head on a very noble tour of Bristol Aquarium during half term, spotting royal-themed species like Regal Tangs and Emperor Angel Fish. There'll also be a colouring competition, plus extra talks and activities all included in usual admission.
Image - Bristol Aquarium
Jubilee Afternoon Tea at The Bristol
While away part of the bank holiday with a delightful afternoon tea at Harbourside hotel The Bristol. They're laying on a limited edition spread of classic finger sandwiches, scones and delectable miniature cakes, served with a complimentary glass of Rathfinny English Sparkling Wine.
Jubilee Afternoon Tea Party at Berwick Lodge
The Pimm’s will be flowing, complete with mint from the kitchen garden, at Berwick Lodge on 3 June. On top of a royal afternoon tea, they’ve got lawn games, a Berwick bake off, a self-guided garden tour and more Jubilee merriment in store. £2 from every afternoon tea will go to the North Bristol Food Bank, so you can give back while you indulge.
Image - Berwick Lodge
The Royal Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Harvey Nichols Bristol
Available from 3pm to 4.30pm, Friday to Sunday all through June, this special afternoon tea is made up of miniature British greats like coronation chicken sandwiches and Victoria sponge cake.
Image - Harvey Nichols
Queen's Jubilee Sunday Lunch at Thornbury Castle
The Sunday of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend calls for a top-notch traditional roast. Thornbury Castle’s Executive Chef Carl Cleghorn has created an extra special menu for the occasion, featuring seasonal and local ingredients from the Castle’s kitchen and herb garden. There’ll be English sparkling wine and music from a harpist too.
Fit for a Queen: Celebrate like Royalty at The Ivy Clifton Brasserie
Have a royally good meal at The Ivy in Clifton, where there's a cocktail menu inspired by notable royals past and present, a dessert paying homage to Queen Elizabeth's favourite mint chocolate ice cream and an update on their classic afternoon tea with British sandwiches, cakes and scones. Visit between 12pm and 3pm from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June and you can also pose with the "Queen's Guards", who will be standing to attention at the restaurant entrance.
Image - The Ivy Clifton Brasserie
Jubilee Weekend at Wiper and True
Make a beeline for Wiper and True's cosy taproom for brewery-fresh beers and street food from Taco Station. With dogs and kids welcome (there's plenty of soft drinks as well as great beers!), it's perfect for families planning a laid-back bank holiday.
Image - Wiper and True
Jubilee weekend at Tyntesfield
National Trust estate Tyntesfield is encouraging you to picnic in the gardens over the weekend, which will be decorated with bunting and handily placed picnic blankets. There'll be live music from local young musicians too.
May Half Term at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Know an Elizabeth? Take them along to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm on the 2 and 3 June and they’ll get to go in for free. Throughout half term the zoo is celebrating all things bear as well as getting in the Jubilee spirit. Enjoy exclusive Cub Cam footage, bear keeper talks and a teddy bear’s picnic with themed treats and garden games on the picnic lawn.
Image - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Big Jubilee Lunch on College Green
Head for College Green on Sunday 5 June for an action-packed free family event, with live music from local performers and activities run by Bristol charities and good causes. As a Big Lunch event, donations will go to charities working to end food poverty in the city.
Clifton Platinum Fest
Rock’n’roll in the Queen’s honour on Friday 3 June, when The Mall in Clifton will be filled with live music from The Roosters and The Firebirds. There’ll be DJs and food too.
Bedminster Beer Trail
BS3 is the place to be for beer lovers this Jubilee weekend, with this brand new trail running from 2 to 5 June. Download the trail map, collect stamps at the pubs, bars and breweries on the route, then hand it in at Bristol Beer Factory where you’ll get a free can of their exclusive South of the River festival brew.
Image - Bristol Beer Factory
More community events
The Jubilee celebrations continue across Bristol’s neighbourhoods and beyond, from entertainment on Clevedon Pier to a garden party at Old Down Country Park. Visit the Government’s Platinum Jubilee website to search for more local events.
Look out for Busking on the Bus around Bristol too, an educational, classical music touring project that will be travelling around local communities on Friday 3 June.
Bank holiday nightlife
Fancy getting the drinks and good times flowing over the long weekend? Bambalan’s God Save The Queens Jubilee Drag Brunch is a good place to start. Hosted by Alyssa Van Delle, there’ll be brunch, drinks deals and amazing drag talent.
Image - Bambalan
If jungle is more your jam, get down to Lakota on Saturday 4 June for the all day and night Junglist Jubilee party featuring heavyweight sound systems, world-class artists and immersive décor. Or hit the dancefloor at The Fleece’s Supersonic Britpop Club Night Jubilee Special for a very nineties start to the weekend on 1 June. You can also swing by King Street Brew House for a pint of 'Jubbly', their new beer launching on Wednesday 1 June.
It’s not too late to get tickets for dance festival Love Saves The Day (2 & 3 June), which is celebrating its own anniversary of 10 years with a bigger-than-ever edition at new home Ashton Court Estate.
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Image - Love Saves The Day, credit Plaster
Rocky Horror fans will be pleased to hear the legendary musical is at Bristol Hippodrome over the bank holiday, should you fancy a raucous night at the theatre.
More ways to make the most of the Jubilee Bank Holiday
Four days to fill means heaps of time to squeeze in trips to Bristol’s brilliant attractions. Get your bearings and tick off big-hitting sights by hopping on the Tootbus tour, which stops near Bristol Aquarium, Brunel’s SS Great Britain (ask about the ship's royal visits from both of the country's longest reigning monarchs) and Bristol Zoo Gardens.
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Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
Find a museum you’ll love among Bristol’s mix, which includes Aerospace Bristol, a must for anyone who loves getting nerdy over all things aeronautical; M Shed for local social history; and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery which has 19 galleries full of art, archaeology, geology and natural history.
To challenge your puzzle-solving skills and have fun exploring Bristol, The Secret City is offering 20% off for groups of five or more playing their interactive treasure hunt-style city tour over the bank holiday.
For more activity and experience ideas, check out these 10 ways to Escape the Everyday in Bristol, which range from heading skywards on a hot air balloon ride to floating around the harbour by paddleboard.
Book a stay
Make it a bank holiday mini break by checking in for an overnight stay in Bristol. There’s a host of city centre hotels which give you top attractions and a feast of food and drink on the doorstep, such as the Grade II-listed Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel in the Old City. And there are cosy guesthouses, swish serviced apartments, welcoming campsites and quirkier places to stay too – have a browse here.
Image - Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
Getting to Bristol
It's easy to get to Bristol by public transport, with rail one of the most convenient and green options. Temple Meads Station the largest rail hub in the west of England, with direct services from London, Scotland, Wales, Manchester and Birmingham.
Book a GWR Family Ticket in advance and up to two adults and four children (or a minimum of one adult + one child) can travel from London Paddington to Bristol for £39 per family one-way.
Or arrive by bus and make the most of 1/3 off a West of England FirstDay Group Ticket from 28th May to 5th June. Up to 5 people (of any age) travelling together can go on unlimited journeys for one day across Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Wells for £10, reduced from £15.
Alternatively, hop on a coach service from National Express, Megabus, FlixBus and Falcon. If you're thinking of bringing the car, consider using the Park & Ride services for day trips.
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