In the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth countries, 2022 will mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952, when she was 25 years old. This makes Her Majesty The Queen the longest reigning monarch in British history, and this momentous occasion will be marked with celebrations that will span a whole year.
Throughout the year, Her Majesty and members of the Royal Family will be travelling around the UK undertaking various engagements to mark this historic occasion. The public will be granted an extended Bank Holiday in the summer to provide opportunity for communities to come together and to celebrate this milestone event.
2022 will be an amazing year to visit the UK, and if you are planning to enrol on our popular illuminate Cambridge academic summer program, you will be spoilt for choice with our exciting itinerary, which will incorporate some of these incredible Jubilee celebrations.
The Tower of London
In 2014, the moat at the Tower of London was awash with hundreds of ceramic poppies as part of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red art installation to commemorate the centenary of World War I - the sacrifice that was made, and all the lives that were lost. It was a truly spellbinding and evocative sight.
In the summer of 2022, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Tower moat will once again come to life with thousands of wild flowers, this time. The project is called Superbloom, and the tiny seeds will be sown in the spring to appear in full bloom from June onwards. There will also be mesmerising sculpture installations and soundscapes to enjoy, and visitors will be allowed to walk among the flowers, and immerse themselves into a glorious wildflower meadow right in the heart of the city of London.
We truly believe that visiting some of these extraordinary nationally significant landscapes as part of our illuminate Cambridge summer program will greatly enrich our students’ experience.
Jubilee Walkway
The Jubilee Walkway is an official walking route in London, spanning an impressive 15 miles. It was opened as the Silver Jubilee Walkway to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne 45 years prior. The Queen herself opened it on 9 June 1977 during the celebrations, and the intention of the walkway was to connect many of London's major tourist attractions.
In 2002, during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the word ‘silver’ was dropped from the title, and it was simply renamed Jubilee Walk after some refurbishments. The 15-mile walk consists of five smaller, more manageable loops, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, which features in our illuminate Cambridge itinerary, proudly sits on the five-mile long Eastern Loop, together with other major attractions, such as the Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, the Millennium Footbridge, just to name a few.
During their inspirational two-week summer program, our students will be privileged to take in many of these incredible, world-famous attractions as part of our popular extra-curricular activities.
Royal residences
During the year-long celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee, many of the royal residences will be dressed up and decorated to welcome visitors, and to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.
Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official London residence, will host the Platinum Party at the Palace, which will bring together some of the world’s best known entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from the Queen’s long reign. Members of the public can also apply to attend this party, and the event will be broadcast worldwide.
Other royal residences, such as Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest castle still in use by the Royal Family, a favourite of the Queen, will also become a focal point of the celebrations, as well as Hampton Court, Henry VIII’s impressive waterside palace, which will welcome visitors with special installations during this historic year.
As part of the illuminate Cambridge curriculum, students will explore the life and reign of Henry VIII through the eyes of the extraordinary women in his life - what a special year 2022 will be to visit this truly splendid palace.
2022 - A Special Year to Visit the UK
Coming to summer school in the UK is always exciting and full of life-enriching experiences, however, 2022 will be a very special year to be here, and to take part in some of these historic national celebrations. Her Majesty The Queen’s long reign spanning over seven decades will bring together communities and iconic landmarks across the country in a very unique way.
If you are planning to visit the beautiful city of Cambridge and London as an international student during the summer, Illuminate Cambridge is the ideal way to combine outstanding academic studies and inspiring, behind the scenes extra-curricular activities. Our empowering all-girl summer school is designed to welcome students aged 15-17 offering them the experience of a lifetime through a series of educational and cultural visits that will provide lifelong memories.
Our esteemed summer program is all about creating immersive magical moments that spark intellectual curiosity, provide amazing memories, and forge long lasting friendships. To secure your place on our life enriching summer program, please apply here.