Diamond Jubilee Pageant: Best Places to See the Flotilla

Festivities for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are shaping up to be a wonderful celebration of the monarch’s reign, and at the heart of celebrations will be the Thames Pageant. Finding the best spots along the banks of the Thames from which to watch and wave will be tricky, so we thought we’d put together a guide to the best vantage points along the route!

On Sunday June 3^rd, over 1,000 boats will depart from Battersea Bridge in West London at 2pm to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The vessels will progress downriver, through central London and out to Tower Bridge, where the flotilla will disperse.

Millbank and Chelsea Embankment

Just across the river from the Diamond Jubilee Festival in Battersea Park, Millbank and Chelsea Embankment will be a great vantage point. With the park and power station as a backdrop, the flotilla will assemble here and make their way down through London.

Southbank

The Southbank, with its many galleries, cafes and restaurants is sure to be a popular option for spectators of the Pageant. Plenty of tables, terraces and open spaces overlooking the Pageant route will give everyone a comfortable riverside Jubilee experience!

Victoria Embankment

Jubilee Pageant revellers on the Victoria Embankment are advised to stick to the stretch of river between Embankment and Temple tube stations. There they have the option of watching from the roadside or in the calm of the Victoria Embankment gardens.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is also a good spot on the South Bank, with plenty of room out front on its lawns. Photo opportunities are great here, with the Millenium Bridge and St Pauls in the background, plus Tate are putting on a range of British food and drink including roast dinner Yorkshire pudding wraps on the Sunday!

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge offers another great backdrop to the Jubilee flotilla, and visitors are advised to take the tube to London Bridge and head east for the best viewing spots. The north bank is mainly closed for private parties, so stick to the south, and if you can get a place, the Hilton Hotel is opening its roof terrace to guests for the festival.

Battersea Park

Battersea Park is also a highly recommended viewpoint for the day, but with tickets sold out for the Diamond Jubilee Festival taking place in the park, only current ticket holders will benefit!

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