A few lucky souls will get the opportunity to see the Gothic roof of Westminster Abbey up close during a 90-minute tour offered as one of the events honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
It’s the first time the rooftop, which also offers sweeping views of London including landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Whitehall, Big Ben, and the London Eye.
The rare tours, led by the Abbey’s Clerk of Works and the Head of Visitor Experience, are only offered on select weekends from June through August and are limited to just 10 people.
Tickets were snapped up almost as quickly as they went online. The Abbey announced that despite the extraordinary demand, it would not consider offering additional dates at this time.
If you missed the chance to get one of these rare tickets, there are several unique events happening around the UK in honor of the Queen’s historic reign.
What is the Platinum Jubilee?
A Jubilee is a special celebration marking the reign of a King or Queen. A Silver jubilee takes place after 25 years, Gold after 50 years, Diamond after 60 years, and Sapphire after 65 years.
In February, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne.
The central weekend of celebrations takes place June 2-5, 2022, with an extended bank holiday weekend for UK citizens, but many other celebrations are happening throughout the summer.
Unique Events Honoring the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The opening of Westminster Abbey’s rooftop isn’t the only unique event honoring the Queen’s historic reign this summer. Here are a few notable ones to keep in mind if you’re headed to London:
The Queen’s Birthday Parade
On June 2, a parade of more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will honor the Queen. The parade starts at Buckingham Palace, moving down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, where it will be joined by Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The event concludes with the traditional Royal Air Force fly-past, which the Queen and family will watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The Queen & Abbey Tour
Aside from the rooftop tour, Westminster Abbey offers another special tour during June that explores the milestones the Queen has celebrated there. Tour guides lead visitors through parts of the Abbey that are usually off-limits, including St George’s Chapel, the location of the Coronation Chair.
Superbloom at the Tower of London
This spring, in preparation for the Jubilee, gardeners sowed more than 20 million seeds in the moat of the historic Tower of London. From June to September, the moat will burst into vibrant colors and patterns, creating a dramatic and engaging experience.
Visitors to the Superbloom will enjoy sound installations and sculptures as part of a display celebrating nature and attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. This display lasts from June 1 until mid-September.
Tour the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace
The State Rooms of the Queen’s palace will be open for visitors for just 10 weeks during the summer, from July 22 to October 2. During your visit, you can view a special exhibit in honor of the Jubilee featuring portraits taken by Dorothy Wilding and several tiaras gifted to the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Dress at Windsor Castle
A special exhibit from July 7 through September 26 at Windsor Castle will display the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation on June 2, 1953. The robe, crafted from purple silk velvet, features the Queen’s monogram and intricate embroidery that took hundreds of hours to complete.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse will also host an exhibition displaying outfits worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees.
