Jubilee 1887,2002,2012

Three dates carved into the London landscape tell the story of three very different celebrations. Jubilee markers from 1887, 2002, and 2012 are scattered across Greater London, each one a modest but oddly moving reminder of moments when the whole country stopped to mark a royal milestone. You won't find them all in one place - that's rather the point. They're monuments to the fact that ordinary communities took these occasions seriously enough to leave something behind.

Finding them requires a bit of detective work, which actually makes them worth seeking out. Unlike the grand ceremonial stuff in central London, these markers feel personal, sometimes tucked into parks or village greens near Walton-on-Thames where locals would have gathered to celebrate. The 1887 one is particularly striking - Victorian solidity in stone. The 2012 marker still feels relatively new, though it's now over a decade old.

This appeals most to history enthusiasts who like joining the dots between eras, or to anyone doing a longer walk through the Thames Valley and stumbling across one by accident. It's not a destination in itself - you don't need to set aside an afternoon - but it's precisely the kind of thing that makes exploring on foot rewarding.

If you're staying at Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site, these markers make natural waypoints for a ramble. Chessington World of Adventures Resort is nearby too, so you could combine a jubilee hunt with their attractions for a mixed-age trip.