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Camping out on the Mall for the Coronation

82 replies

MissSueFlay · 23/03/2023 19:33

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! 😆

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polkadotdalmation · 26/04/2023 21:19

I really hope it warms up and doesn't rain!

bunglesmum12 · 28/04/2023 08:18

Hi, we have a hotel near the end of the mall and going to go to bed early and get up at 2am and go down there :) So excited!

ElliotDobie · 28/04/2023 22:23

That’s good to hear as my friends and I are planning to camp on the mall the night before too, so the mall will be open throughout the night then?

Cazrandle · 29/04/2023 22:23

Me and my sister are due to travel down on the Friday to camp on the mall. We went to the Queen's funeral left the hotel at 4 but could get nowhere near the front. So hopefully we can get a better view this time by staying over. I think the viewing areas open at 6 are the stands by Buckingham palace. Fingers crossed the weather ok. Any tips on where the best place to be on the mall please x

Nobledeedsandhotbaths · 29/04/2023 22:56

Ooh, would love it if some of you adventurers who are planning to sleep out would post snippets about your experiences as you are doing it. Share what the atmosphere is like, it will be so interesting!

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/04/2023 22:57

Which jubilee was last year?

MrsFinkelstein · 30/04/2023 09:18

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/04/2023 22:57

Which jubilee was last year?

It was Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.

Mimilamore · 30/04/2023 18:24

I walked past Buck Palace, The Mall and Green Park last Wednesday, already heaving with people and security, we were filtered through into Green Park in quite a small entrance. Felt really glad that I wasn't going to be in the scrum at the actual coronation, all felt a bit tense..... the stands are enormous and the thought of it being jam packed with people makes me feel claustrophobic... each to their own though, I suppose for those who love waving a flag with many, many other humans in close proximity, then it may well be worth it. If I had a royalist bone in my body I'd sooner get a brilliant view on the T V at home.
PS once it is over the thought of massive crowd making for stations, tubes and buses frightens me, experienced something simpler than this there once and we ended up walking on bottles and coming up close and personal to massive police horses...never again and I love London but not this.

Sh851 · 30/04/2023 22:37

I camped on the mall last year for the jubilee with my daughter. We got there around 10pm and it was already busy, hard to find somewhere. We brought a tent, but if advice against it. Bring a comfy chair, warm sleeping bag and a flask. Toilets are NOT open during the night, so closest is McDonald’s at the other end of the mall. Or use the bush…
be careful as people will literally try and push you out the way still, keep your chairs up as it’s harder for you to lose your place. Make friends other campers around you as you will all be looking out for eachother. Lots of police around so safe.

malapast · 30/04/2023 22:40

Sh851 · 30/04/2023 22:37

I camped on the mall last year for the jubilee with my daughter. We got there around 10pm and it was already busy, hard to find somewhere. We brought a tent, but if advice against it. Bring a comfy chair, warm sleeping bag and a flask. Toilets are NOT open during the night, so closest is McDonald’s at the other end of the mall. Or use the bush…
be careful as people will literally try and push you out the way still, keep your chairs up as it’s harder for you to lose your place. Make friends other campers around you as you will all be looking out for eachother. Lots of police around so safe.

So royalists will shove each other out of the way to see these scroungers. I think I will give it a miss thanks.

FourChimneys · 30/04/2023 22:45

You could use the time you are waiting to discuss his adultery, tax evasion, love of blood sports etc. To give a balanced view and add to the educational aspect of the trip. Schools love added value.

Vitriolinsanity · 01/05/2023 20:53

DO IT

I camped for Andrew and Fergies wedding. The atmosphere is fantastic.

For every naysayer on MN, there's a loon wrapped in a Union Jack.

If you can't beat em, ignore em

Original poster
MissSueFlay · 02/05/2023 21:41

We're definitely going to do it, nutters that we are 😆 It does actually sound like there are a fair few people heading down to the Mall on Friday evening, so I hope we get a good spot as a pay-off for all the discomfort!
For all you republicans who have bothered to reply this post, it's not Charles himself or the rest of the royal family. For me it's the spectacle, the national occasion, even <whispers> a bit of patriotism. It's something that doesn't happen often, and that's what makes it special. My daughter and niece won't forget this, and when it's William's turn I doubt they will want to do it again! 😂

OP posts:
bunglesmum12 · 02/05/2023 22:35

Same!! I can’t wait to see the soldiers march through! I just hope the rain holds off for us on Friday night/Saturday morning :)

Camping out on the Mall for the Coronation
Shakenbutbarelystirred · 03/05/2023 13:32

I was there last night to see the midnight rehearsal and there are people camping already!

vera99 · 03/05/2023 14:31

I once came across a small group of Diana diehards a few years back who camped out at the gates of Kensington Place on the anniversary of her death with posters and shrines. I tried to engage them in pleasant conversation, but they were off with the fairies.

The Mall ones get a lot of attention from the global media and rather like railway spotters have a camaraderie of sorts and seem to know each other. In a different era they would have been in the front of the queue to identify witches and gift their children to the service of the monarch one could surmise.

Come the Revolution they are going to pick a side...

feralunderclass · 03/05/2023 14:40

@redspottedmug "the atmosphere was amazing". I'm no royalist but this was someone's funeral you are talking about, that just sounds so disrespectful.

LizzieSiddal · 03/05/2023 14:46

I saw yesterday on our local news that people are already camping out. there were two ladies in their late 70s already set up. They had chairs, a camping stove (for their hot chocolate and brandy nightcaps 😂 ) and a beach shelter. apparently you are not allowed tents!

Good luck!

vera99 · 03/05/2023 14:49

feralunderclass · 03/05/2023 14:40

@redspottedmug "the atmosphere was amazing". I'm no royalist but this was someone's funeral you are talking about, that just sounds so disrespectful.

I'm sure the BRF would rather have a carnival style atmosphere at all their set pieces be it coronation, wedding or funeral and attract crowds than not have that and be ignored. I wouldn't worry about decorum on their behalf. They don't give a fig about us so I don't see why that shouldn't be returned. Harry is the most real of all of them and therein lies his problems.

Gilles27 · 03/05/2023 16:12

This springs to mind...

Camping out on the Mall for the Coronation
vera99 · 03/05/2023 19:13

Gilles27 · 03/05/2023 16:12

This springs to mind...

Brilliant ! Here's the real thing. Hopefully the real street homeless will be left alone for the duration and can benefit from the extra toilets and the like.

King's Coronation: Royal fans already camping outside Buckingham Palace

The Coronation is four days away but that has not stopped some people from taking their seats out of The Mall ahead of the King's big day. Sky's Ashna Huryna...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9WPsNA0IfI

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/05/2023 22:10

vera99 · Today 05:13
Diehards only need to apply. God moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. “

When all of this nonsense was instigated in 1066, terrible weather would have been interpreted as a very bad omen indeed.

HaroldeVwilliam · 03/05/2023 22:24

@Mimilamore I've been contemplating going up the night before and seeing someone decorations but I get panicky in big crowds and stations suddenly get closed and crowds are suddenly corralled and penned in like sheep.. Before you know where you are your liberty to move has been removed and there are no loos.