UK Events Calendar 2012

The annual London Marathon sees London’s streets shut to traffic as tens of thousands of runners pound a 26.2-mile route through the city.

The Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a major event marking The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in the presence of Her Majesty. The event takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle on the evenings of 10th, 11th and 13th May 2012.

Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex

Rayleigh Gardens, Chelsea

One of London’s loveliest events, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show blooms with perfumed buds and imaginative floral displays each May.

See the royal barge lead a 1,000 boat flotilla down the river Thames departing from Battersea at 14:30 and passing the Tower of London as it arrives at HMS President for disembarkation at 15:45.

The Queen's official birthday, this annual display of pomp and ceremony might not glisten quite so grandly when compared to the Diamond Jubilee shortly beforehand, but it's another reliable display of British majesty.

There are over 200 free performances taking place during this festival.