Platinum Jubilee: Eight towns win city status as part of celebrations

Doncaster, Dunfermline and Bangor are among the places awarded the royal honours...

2 mins

Time to expand your city break bucket list – eight towns in UK nations, an oversea territory and crown dependency have been made cities as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Milton Keynes, Colchester and Doncaster in England, Dunfermline in Scotland, Bangor in Northern Ireland and Wrexham in Wales are towns in UK nations which have won the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours contest. 

The Queen, advised by ministers, also picked Douglas on the Isle of Man and Stanley on the Falkland Islands to have the coveted city status.

Stanley has been recognised for its sustainable fishing practice (Shutterstock)

Stanley has been recognised for its sustainable fishing practice (Shutterstock)

Doncaster has the oldest flat racecourse (Shutterstock)

Doncaster has the oldest flat racecourse (Shutterstock)

The competition for civic honours required the towns to demonstrate their cultural heritage and royal association, as well as having a strong local identity and unique communities.

For example, Doncaster takes the title after being recognised for its 2,000-year-old history as a Roman settlement, and its railway heritage: The Flying Scotsman and Mallard were both made here. It is also home to the oldest flat racecourse, St Leger, founded in 1776.

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Whereas Dunfermline in Scotland attracts thousands of visitors for its annual celebrations, including firework displays, Christmas light events, and music and art festivals. The town’s most famous son Andrew Carnegie’s steel industry also helped build America.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wrexham (Shutterstock)

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wrexham (Shutterstock)

Dunfermline attracts crowds throughout the year (Shutterstock)

Dunfermline attracts crowds throughout the year (Shutterstock)

Wrexham, with its population of just 42,000, boasts its fascinating Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and also the world’s oldest international football ground at Wrexham Football Club.

Over in the Falkland Islands, Stanley is often visited by the royal family, with its sustainable fishing practice being highlighted.

Usually cities are associated with having a cathedral, university or a large population – but these characteristics are not essential to be awarded the title.

Steve Barclay, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “What was clear to me during the process of assessing each application was the pride that people felt for their communities, local cultural heritage and the Royal Family.”

Learn more about the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours competition.

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