The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is confirmed to visit Deal, Walmer and Dover after it’s journey by boat from Folkestone on Thursday, 7 July 2022.
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of show stopping sport nears ever closer.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022. Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.
On Thursday, 7 July, the Dover district will officially welcome the Baton to White Cliffs Country.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.
Spectacular arrival by boat
During its time in the Dover district, the Queen’s Baton Relay will make a spectacular arrival by boat at Deal Pier before the relay continues along the seafront to Walmer. The Baton will also visit the iconic White Cliffs of Dover before culminating in a free event for 2,500 people at Dover Castle.
The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in the Dover district includes:
- The Queen’s Baton arrives at Deal Pier by boat from Folkestone at 6pm. Deal Pier is the last pleasure pier to be built in Britain and was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957. The Queen’s Baton will be welcomed by a chorus of sea shanties
- The Queen’s Baton Relay continues along the seafront from Deal to Borrow Pitt car park in Walmer
- The Queen’s Baton Relay then moves along the coast to Dover with a route along the White Cliffs of Dover (National Trust Langdon Cliffs site)
- The Queen’s Baton Relay will end the day at Dover Castle where there will be a free party for 2,500 guests hosted by Dover District Council and English Heritage with music, entertainment, costumed characters and a gun salute. Tickets will be available on a first come first served basis and will be publicised on the Council’s social media sites. There will be food and drink available but guests are welcome to bring picnics. There will be blue badge parking on site but no other parking so guests will need to walk up to the Castle. Gates will open at 5.30pm with the baton arrival estimated at 7.30pm and gates closing at 9pm.
Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community.
Route through South East England
- Wednesday 6 July (South East) Stoke Mandeville, Maidenhead, Eton & Windsor, Aldershot, Winchester, Hambledon, Southampton, and Portsmouth
- Thursday 7 July (South East) – Guildford, Tonbridge, Canterbury, Folkestone, Deal, and Dover