The Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace
3 days - by Rail

The Coronation Festival, taking place over four days in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. This exciting and unique event will bring together – for the first time on this scale – over 200 companies who hold Royal Warrants of Appointment.

The Festival will celebrate innovation, excellence and industry through trade and craft. You will have the opportunity to explore the Gardens and buy, sample and experience the wide range of products and services from the exhibitors. It will be like going to the Queen’s own shopping mall, a royal flush of trade, industry, innovation and craft.

This Omega weekend, with two nights hotel, dinner, breakfast and return travel, takes you for a once in a lifetime experience, without it costing you a Queen’s ransom.

This tour is organised and operated by Omega Events Ltd ABTA Y590X

• Return standard class** rail travel from your chosen departure station to London
• Two nights’ stay in a twin/double bedded room* at a choice of 3 and 4 star London hotels with breakfast
• Admission to the Coronation Festival in Buckingham Palace Gardens on Saturday, 13 July (entry to Palace not included)
• Free time in London
• VAT at the government's prevailing rate at the date of travel

Note: For security reasons, no overnight cases, suitcases or baggage larger than a small rucksack or hand bag will be permitted. These items will have to be placed in a left-luggage facility outside the perimeter of Buckingham Palace and collected after your visit.

There is no formal dress code, but smart/casual is encouraged, and the following items are not considered suitable attire: vests, miniskirts, shorts, or crop tops.

Important: All visitors will be required to bring photographic ID – either a passport, photo driving licence or bus pass to the Festival.

** Return first class rail is offered from almost all stations at a supplement of £50pp.

_{Please note: All travel times and arrangements may be subject to change. All rail departures will be in the morning from your chosen station, arriving in London in the early afternoon. Precise departure times will be confirmed with your final itinerary and rail tickets, which will be sent to you about 5 days before travel, and we ask you to check and note the departure times stated on your final itinerary, when they arrive. Rail travel can be subject to delays and changes due to engineering works and Omega Holidays cannot be held responsible for any travel delays or amendments made to journey routes and methods of travel made by the rail provider. Although we endeavour to seat all clients travelling on the same booking together, this unfortunately cannot be guaranteed.}

Day 1 - Take the morning train to London from your local station (please see the rail grid on Page 7), and on arrival make your way to your chosen hotel for check-in and your first night’s stay.

Day 2 - After breakfast you can make your way to Buckingham Palace and the Coronation Festival. The Design & Technology area hosts a range of interactive features, displays and information stands demonstrating the technological and design advances from 1953 to 2013 (1953, by the way, saw the invention of radial tyres, the music synthesizer, the black box flight recorder and the transistor radio). In the Homes & Gardens section, Royal Warrant holders range from fabric to paint, furniture to antiques. You will be able to wander through a number of creative sets designed around themes such as entertaining and cooking, a luxury bathroom sanctuary and a garden for small urban spaces. Well known British brands such as Bendicks, Walkers Shortbread and Pimms will be exhibiting in the Food & Drink section at the Festival. You can take morning coffee, afternoon tea or create your own royal hamper while watching experts, chefs and food producers demonstrate their skills on the Tastings and Demonstration stage. Some of the oldest Royal Warrant holders will be present, in the Style, Pursuits & Pastimes area, for example Henry Poole & Co, court tailors to Queen Victoria, who will showcase their hand-made bespoke suits, entirely cut and made on their premises at 15/16 Savile Row. Within the area a catwalk will showcase fashion and beauty ideas, seasonal trends with daily fashion shows, plus there will be beauty and styling advice from leading experts.

Day 3 - What’s a trip to London if you don’t see any of the sights? After breakfast you’ll have free time to explore some of those famous monuments, museums and historic sites that in London are practically one street in any direction. But then again, you’re also on the doorstep of the world’s most dazzling and exclusive department stores. Just a short hop on the Piccadilly Line to Knightsbridge and you’ll find Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Or head two stops in the other direction (change at Green Park for the Jubilee line) and you’ve reached Bond St and Selfridges. So go forth and multi-buy, but remember to take lots of pocket money. Make your way to the railway station in the late afternoon/early evening for your train home.

Here are some example hotels or similar ones that we use for this break, actual availability may change with the travel date you choose.

Some hotels have an additional supplement per person, as shown below. Supplements are stated for the break (not per night)

Hilton Docklands Riverside Hotel, London
	Located on the River Thames and with fabulous views of the river and Canary Wharf, the Hilton London Docklands Riverside hotel provides a fantastic base for your stay in London.
Jurys Inn Chelsea, London
	This modern hotel is near the fashionable Kings Road with easy access to a great variety of shop, cafés, bars, and all kinds of entertainment including the Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums.
Crowne Plaza London Docklands, London
	The Crowne Plaza London Docklands is located in London’s thriving Docklands area, just a very short walk from DLR Royal Victoria, and close to Canary Wharf. Additional supplement from £10.00 per person.
Thistle City Barbican, London
	With its Otium Health and Leisure Club, and being only a short distance from the West End, the Thistle City Barbican is the perfect choice for a London weekend break. Additional supplement from £10.00 per person.
Tower Guoman Hotel, London
	Located on the River Thames, the Tower Guoman hotel is a neighbour to some of London's most iconic landmarks and enjoys stunning views of Tower Bridge. Additional supplement from £10.00 per person.
Holiday Inn Kings Cross, London
	The Holiday Inn Kings Cross is a modern 4 star hotel situated between the City of London and London’s West End. Additional supplement from £20.00 per person.
Jurys Inn Islington, London
	Situated in the heart of fashionable Islington, and close to attractions such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Camden Market, this hotel offers a comfortable and convenient base for your stay in London. Additional supplement from £20.00 per person.
Thistle Euston, London
	The Thistle Euston offers affordable luxury accommodation just a short walk from Euston station. Additional supplement from £20.00 per person.
Thistle Kensington Gardens, London
	Located on Bayswater Road with views over Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the 4 star Thistle Kensington Gardens hotel is ideally located for a leisurely stay in London. Additional supplement from £20.00 per person.
Guoman Cumberland Hotel, London
	Directly opposite Marble Arch, The Cumberland is a world class luxury hotel located on Oxford Street, close to Park Lane, and offers the very highest levels of first class comfort and service. Additional supplement from £40.00 per person.
Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, London
	There are over 900 rooms in this striking 27 storey tower and many of the bedrooms have spectacular views across London. Additional supplement from £40.00 per person.
Holiday Inn Regent's Park, London
	The Holiday Inn Regents Park is close to Euston Station and is the ideal hotel to start your stay in London. All rooms are air conditioned and have all the facilities you would expect from a 4 star hotel. Additional supplement from £40.00 per person.
Melia White House Hotel, London
	he Meliá White House is one of London's leading 4 star deluxe hotels. Located in the heart of London, the Meliá White House faces the popular Regents Park and is within walking distance of Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. Additional supplement from £40.00 per person.
Mercure Bloomsbury, London
	This contemporary , recently refurbished boutique-style hotel, located in London’s fashionable Bloomsbury, is within walking distance of many of London’s top attractions. Additional supplement from £60.00 per person.