What’s on in Britain: June 2018
Stuck for ideas to keep the family entertained this month? Here are our top tips for things to see and do in the sunny month of June
Cotswold Olimpicks Games – 1 June
Horse racing, sword fighting and chess featured in the early Cotswold Olimpicks Games, first held in 1612. A man dressed as the Greek poet Homer even entertained the crowds. Since its revival in the 1960s, events have included tug of war, hammer throwing, and relays involving wheelbarrows.
The World Pooh Sticks Championships – 3 June
The World Pooh Sticks Championships recreates a favourite pastime of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. The contest, inspired by author AA Milne’s game in which competitors throw sticks in a river, has taken place in Oxfordshire for more than 30 years.
Trooping the Colour – 9 June
Some 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians gather in London for the Trooping the Colour. The parade, which marks HM The Queen’s official birthday, moves from Buckingham Palace down the Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, accompanied by members of the Royal Family. An RAF flypast rounds off the event.
Summer Exhibition – 12 June to 19 August
Celebrating its 250th year in 2018, the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London is the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. Elected Academicians select more than 1,000 pieces by emerging and established artists alike.
Garter Day – 18 June
A procession and service is held on Garter Day at Windsor Castle for the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a chivalric order founded by Edward III in 1348. The Queen, Knight Companions of the Order of the Garter and a marching band all wear ceremonial dress.
Berkshire’s Royal Ascot – 19-23 June
Founded by Queen Anne in 1722, Berkshire’s Royal Ascot race meeting is still a favourite with the monarchy: HM The Queen attends every year. As well as prize stakes, there is singing around the bandstand and a royal procession.
Summer Solstice – 21 June
Revellers flock to Stonehenge in Wiltshire at sunrise to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The pagan festival marks the start of spring.
Swaton Vintage Day – 24 June
Swaton Vintage Day features 400 classic cars and tractors, as well as a Lancaster Bomber and Dakota Flypast, and the World Egg Throwing Championships, in which teams throw an egg as far as they can without breaking it. The latter dates back to 1322 when monks threw eggs over a river to hungry peasants.
