5 things to do in the UK this June

It’s that time of year when we can enjoy long days and long evenings. The summer solstice on 21 June is the longest day of the year. Head down to Wiltshire to celebrate this at Stonehenge, and whilst you there see the beautiful countryside where the Glastonbury Festival is taking place nearby. If you don’t fancy wandering around a field, then get suited and booted for London Men’s Fashion Week. We show you where to shop so you can look good for the Queen’s Birthday parade on 8 June. But first, head over to the city of Leicester for the annual river festival and see this city with an extraordinary royal story.

Leicester River Festival 1-2 June

The Leicester River Festival has been running for an impressive 22 years. Head to Bede Park where there will be live music, food stalls, arts and crafts, beer, activities for families and kids and a fun fair.

Leicester is a city with an extraordinary royal story. Our guides can take you on a tour to see Leicester Cathedral and the medieval Guildhall, a 600-year old building with a resident ghosts. The cathedral is the final resting place of Richard III; the last Plantagenet king. His body disappeared for 500 years, before being discovered by chance in 2013 at the burial site at Grey Friars.

Trooping the Colour 8 June

This is the Queen’s official birthday parade when it is custom for her to inspect her troops. The tradition was started by King George II back in 1748. The parade includes over 1400 officers, 400 musicians, 200 horses plus the Royal family who watch from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. If you want to see any of the action then you’ll need to head to the edge of St James Park or the Mall near Buckingham Palace.

One of our very own Blue Badge Guides, Greg Laing was once a Guards Musician. Read about how he had to sweat under a bearskin hat whilst performing a “wheel spin”. Confessions of a former Guards Musician.

London Fashion Week Men’s  7-10 June

Taking place in East London this event will showcase the best of British design. There will be showrooms, events, catwalk shows and presentations.

Our Blue Badge Guide Russel Nash does tours of London’s menswear district. He can show you the home of the made-to-measure shirt and the famous Saville Row where the Beatles and James Bond got their suits.

Summer Solstice at Stonehenge  21 June

The June solstice marks the longest day for the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest for the Southern Hemisphere. Take a trip to Stonehenge and join people from around the world who gather overnight to mark the event and watching the sunrise over the stones.

Stonehenge is an important World Heritage Site. Our expert guides can take you on a tour of this mysterious, beautiful place. According to medieval legend, it was built by Merlin, who caused the giant stones to fly from Ireland to Wilshire. Read more about the history of the magic of Stonehenge.

Glastonbury Festival 26-30 June

Yes we know it’s near impossible to get tickets to this hugely popular music festival but you can still enjoy the buzz it creates.  Glastonbury Festival is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. It’s all televised so you watch your favourite acts on TV all weekend and get a good feel of the vibe.

The site of the festival is a beautiful location in Somerset so when the festival has finished, take a tour with one of our guides to the area. In Glastonbury, you can visit a picturesque ruined abbey that according to legend, is the final burial place of the “once and future king” Arthur. After we can show you the beautiful Cheddar Gorge. See breathtaking cliffs and caves while listening to captivating stories of skeletons, monks and, of course, its world-famous cheese.