Camping out on the Mall for the Coronation

[MissSueFlay]

So, my daughter and niece (10.5 and 11) are absolutely DESPERATE to camp out on the Mall for the Coronation. We took them to the Mall for the Jubilee last year and they absolutely loved it - we went early, but not early enough and were a couple of rows back. We had taken stools so they had a good view, but they really want to camp out for this one.

Has anyone done this before? I see that people do it, but are there rules about where you have to go or is it a bit of a free-for-all? I don't expect us to get any sleep at all, and we will be completely wrecked by the time it's over. But any tips (apart from the 'don't do it' one!)

If there's even a sniff of rain in the forecast, I've told them we're not doing it! 😆

I should add that we are seasoned campers, so used to slumming it outdoors for a set period of time!

I have no idea but interested to see what everyone has to say on this 😊

I did it for Diana and Charles marriage (little did I know of the reality)

We had the best time.. as Fa as I remember we didn't need tents .. just super snuggly sleeping bags that we had races down the Mall in ..

All of this surprises me because I am far from a royalist but can remember having a bloody good time .. the trick was an absolutely PACKED ice box.. full of sandwiches, breakfast, drinks etc .. and had a spot really close to a loo !

Go for it why not?

Me and some friends went down to see Andrew snd Fergies wedding (I know) it was a fab atmosphere and she looked lovely. We had a really good time so go for it

We chickened out of camping and have a travelodge booked for three nights over the Coronation weekend. Never been in London for a big Royal event (except the river pageant which we watched from a hotel room overlooking the Thames), and I'll be past it by the time it comes to William's turn.

I'm there for the atmosphere with very few expectations of actually seeing anything very much!

@ajandjjmum: Definitely walk along the Mall a day or two before Coronation Day. Start from the direction of Trafalgar Square/Admiralty Arch for the best effect - all the flags will be in place and it looks lovely. It will probably be closed to through traffic by then, so there'll be lots of pedestrians milling around in the road. The bit along the bottom of Green Park is where the TV studios set up and will be closed off, but it gives you a 'behind the scenes' look at what goes into broadcasting these events.

I think we'll just have to wing it... We have chairs and sleeping bags, and a couple of those foil blankets. We'll set our expectations low and watch it again on catch-up 😆
It's the getting there after school on the Friday evening... it's bonkers so I don't think we will think about it too much, just do it!

My number one concern would be going to the toilet!

It sounds like lots of fun and will be a great memory!

Check in to your hotel early (or over the phone on the way there) - Travelodge over-book rooms on purpose as they know some people will no-show, but that’s unlikely on this particular weekend.

When I arrived at 8pm after 10 hours of driving, the receptionist delightfully told me (and the people checking in behind me) that we’d all be getting a taxi to the next one 25 miles away, needless to say there was nearly a murder and lots of arguing!

Managed to get the stay for free including breakfast after handing out flyers detailing my experience to guests checking in next time I had a couple of hours free and was passing the location, but that’s not the point.

Wow - thanks for the hint @Deathbyfluffy - that is dreadful! We're actually booked in the night before as well (3-night booking), so hopefully it won't be a problem. What an awful way to treat customers, although I love your way of dealing with it!

So, I have seen on the government website that the viewing areas along the procession route will be opening at 6am on the day of the coronation! They are urging people not to arrive before then - it sounds utterly bonkers!

DH thinks that the queue to get in will be in Green Park / St James's Park, and there will be a bun-fight once the gates open to rush to the front and get a good spot... I am so disappointed as we've worked ourselves up for a night on the Mall (as long as it's not raining) and it's not going to pan out like that by the sounds of it 🙁

Has anyone else heard about this, anyone else planning to camp? I think we still will (to get a good place in the queue... ), but I'm not liking how these things are being managed now...

I couldnt think of anything worse. I will be watching but from the safety of a sofa

However I think that the planning for this is buying into some of the social media narratives that no one is interested. If they dont plan for people to come en masse I think there is going to be chaos. I think people are interested, not necessarily from a 'support the royals' perspective but from a history/nosy/enjoying the bling perspective (thats me)

Can you not book a cheap hotel and get up super early?

Will you be allowed to camp out overnight in central London?

We went up the Friday before the queens funeral, there were a lot camped out on the Mall already.

I would just worry Friday night might not be early enough, but it's about the adventure as much as anything else isn't it!

FFS. Shoot me now.

Don’t take anything valuable, I know someone who’s bag was pinched during the night when she slept out for W&K wedding.

😲

Do it!
We went to Windsor for the Queen's funeral, arrived just before 6am and bagged a prime spot on the Long Walk in view of a big screen.

The atmosphere was amazing.

We had folding chairs and a blanket each, and a cool bag full of food.

I was 10 when Charles and Di got married and we camped out overnight before - was a brilliant experience (my dad said he wanted us to experience something like that as he thought the royals would be gone by now!!).

I'd do it if you could - we had sleeping bags and blankets and camped over the road from a fast food place and it was my brother's birthday the night before so we had cake and shared it with all our neighbours on the street!

I'd see the back of them all tomorrow but I'm also glad we did it- it was being part of something big that was the best part!

I am a teacher. Take Friday off, or at least the afternoon, if it’ll be easier for you. Most of our local schools seem to be having some sort of shindig on the Friday anyway.

Have a lovely time.

OP "I am so disappointed as we've worked ourselves up for a night on the Mall (as long as it's not raining) and it's not going to pan out like that by the sounds of it 🙁"

I think the Mall is closed for prep.

this is the TFL page, I'm not clear if they are saying all Tube lines will run overnight?

https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/coronation#on-this-page-1

I camped for 2 nights for the Queens funeral and although it was a sad occasion, it was great being there and very well organised. The end of the Mall near the palace was cordoned off so only campers could get there. There were portaloos and also the toilets in the park. The tents have to be taken down during the day time. We met so many people and everyone was really friendly. Police from all over the country were happy to talk to us all and made sure we were ok at night. I got about 3 to 4 hrs sleep each night.

I went down to the Mall and spoke to one of the security / stewards who said that all the access points to the Mall will be open all the time - the 6am guidance is their effort to manage the crowds (or something)

So, as long as it doesn't rain we will be there for Friday night - I'm sure we will be totally broken by Saturday afternoon