Secret London blog: Diamond Jubilee happenings

Wednesday, 16 May 2012 10:26 AM

It‘s all happening in London this year. With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the city gearing up to celebrate a year of pomp and circumstance. Here is a roundup of how London is celebrating the Jubilee.

The Queen’s favourite tipple...
The Intercontinental Hotel on Park Lane is a former royal residence where the Queen spent the first 10 years of her life. To celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne they have come up with two Diamond Jubilee cocktails that have been inspired by the monarch. The first cocktail is Dubonnet - this is a simple yet strong drink that is made up of Bombay Sapphire and Dubonnet; reportedly the favourite drink of the Queen and the late Queen Mother. The second cocktail is Lady Libation, once a nickname for gin. This sweet and refreshing cocktail is made up of Bloom Gin, St Germain, pink grapefruit and elderflower syrup. The hotel is also hosting a Royal Afternoon Tea.

Flotilla festivities...
This is bound to be a spectacular sight. On Sunday June 3rd over 1,000 ships, from row boats to pleasure boats, will meander down the Thames from Battersea Park to London Bridge. The riverside will be packed, so you’ll need to get there early or alternatively watch them float past while you down a cold one at a riverside pub. The best riverside pubs on the River Pageant route are: The Banker under cannon’s bridge; Doggetts Riverside Bar and Terrace on the South Bank; Founders Arms on the South bank; Level 7 at the Tate Modern and Anchor Bankside next to London Bridge.

OXO fun... 
The OXO Tower on the South Bank will be holding weekend-long celebrations, beginning with the Royal Enclosure on June 2nd – when the restaurant will be transformed into a Royal enclosure, complete with a decadent Royal spread and races on the terrace – to celebrate the Queen’s visit to the Epsom Derby (£95 per person). On Monday June 4th, a special concert will be taking place at Buckingham Palace and 2012 beacons will be lit around the country to mark the Jubilee. That evening the Restaurant and Brasserie will be showcasing some of OXO’s favourite resident musicians and give customers the opportunity to light their own beacons (£49,50 per person). Finally, on June 5th, the OXO tower will be holding a street party.

A royal purchase... 
These Royal celebrations would not be complete without the souvenir merchandise to commemorate the occasion. Maiden, a pretty little shop in Shoreditch, is selling some exclusive Royal souvenir tea towels designed by London-based illustrator Luke James. Other items Maiden will be selling include a solar-powered waving queen, and the shop has just launched a brand new website site called Maiden Memento, where you can buy Royal memorabilia from days gone by.

Tasty traditions...T
In honour of the Queen, The Bringham Resturant in Richmond is hosting a quintessentially British garden party. The menu will consist of “Best of British” - miniature favourites like Pimms and non-alcoholic fruit cocktails. Obviously, this being Britain, you can’t rely on the weather and so The Bingham will have tables in the Garden Rooms to duck into if the unthinkable happens and it rains! Ticket prices are £22 per adult and £10 per child.

By Cat Hughes

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