Industry body Discover Ferries has announced an inspiring selection of trips to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend. Operators will mark the nation's royal heritage with day trips, short breaks or longer stays through the Jubilee weekend or into the summer.
Abby Penlington, director of Discover Ferries, said: “The Jubilee Weekend gives us a chance to escape for a few days or enjoy the broad range of celebrations taking place across the UK. This extended break really is a great opportunity for ferry travellers to take the time to get away with family, friends and loved-ones, including pets and truly experience a region.”
Visitors to ‘Superbloom’ at the Tower of London, home of the crown jewels, will see the moat transformed into a vibrant sea of flowers. Avoid the crowds and sail through the city to soak up the Royal atmosphere with a trip on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
For a fun and nostalgic Jubilee celebration, Belfast will host a 1950s-styled street party for the whole family to join in. Later in June, music-lovers in Belfast can enjoy a summer of favourites in the UNESCO City of Music including a jazz theatre experience, musicals and performances from Elbow and Ronan Keating. Sail away to Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and Stena Line.
Steeped in royal connections, the Isle of Wight’s historic houses and hotels are the perfect setting for a regal weekend away. Red Funnel and Wightlink offer fast catamaran and car ferry services to the island, or get one hundred percent into the spirit of the occasion and travel aboard Hovertravel’ s fleet of Union flagged hovercraft.
Visitors to the beautiful Isles of Scilly can follow royal footsteps on the Scillonian with Isles of Scilly Travel.
Soak up the history and heritage of the Hebridean islands by visiting the spectacular castles dotted across the region and all easily accessible via the regular ferry service. Caledonian MacBrayne operates between the peninsulas and islands of Scotland’s West Coast and is a fantastic way for visitors to experience Duart Castle (Mull), Breachacha Castle (Coll), Kinloch Castle (Rum) and Kisimul Castle (Barra).
The Raad ny Foillan, Manx for The Way of the Gull, is a 100-mile coastal path that runs the perimeter of the Isle of Man. Experienced walkers can tackle this in four days – enough for an extra-long weekend – or take a more leisurely pace over the summer. Sail away with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
For thrill-seeking families, a choice of aqua adventures is available this summer in the Channel Islands. Overlooking Jersey’s stunning St Brelade’s s Bay, try kayaking with cave exploring, surfing, blokarting and for the really adventurous, coasteering. Or head to Guernsey’s Lihou island via the tidal causeway to experience one of the biggest tidal ranges in Europe and take a dip in the refreshing Venus pool. Sail away for this adventurous escape with Condor Ferries.
For hikers wanting to escape the crowds and take in the breath-taking views of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, head for the Sliabh Liag Cliffs in Donegal. Boarding the ferry to Dublin or Belfast with Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries and Stena Line.
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