Queen’s Baton Relay route to Grantham revealed

• Birmingham 2022 announces much-anticipated route for the 16th edition of Queen’s Baton Relay, ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games 
• Host Nation, England, will welcome the Relay this summer with every region involved  
• The East Midlands to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay between 10-11 July 
• Entire England journey will cover 180 cities, towns and villages over 29 days  
• From depths of Nottingham‘s historic cave network, to the heights of Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom, the Relay will take in some of nation’s best-loved landmarks  
• Relay culminates in Birmingham for Opening Ceremony moment 
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11 May 2022: The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has unveiled the highly-anticipated route that the Queen’s Baton Relay will take in the East Midlands and the rest of England this summer.  

Travelling via land, air and sea, more than 180 communities in England will experience the Queen’s Baton on a route spanning 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres). From energetic cities and historic market towns, to rolling countryside and rugged coastline, the Baton will head as far south as Cornwall and as far north as Northumberland.  

In the East Midlands, the Queen’s Baton will visit:  

• Sunday 10 July – Northampton, Corby, Rutland, Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln 
• Monday 11 July – Skegness, Boston, Grantham, Loughborough, Derby, Bakewell, Matlock, and Buxton  

Highlights across the two days will see the Baton delve down the Nottingham Castle caves, visit Loughborough University and will reach new heights on the high ropes in Skegness. 

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 buzz and excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping 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, celebrating The Queen’s 70th year as Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth.  

The Baton will then resume the international journey, visiting the Falkland Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, before touring home nations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.  

It returns to England on Monday 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.  

From sports days with local schools, to community festivals, people will be able to experience the Baton in many ways. 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. The Birmingham 2022 website will provide information on the events and where to line the route. 

Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity. Between 40 and 130 Batonbearers will carry the Baton each day, and the Relay will reach hundreds of villages, towns and cities during its tour of the country.   

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 said: “Whilst the Baton has been travelling across the Commonwealth, we have worked closely with Local Authorities in England to devise a route that engages with hundreds of communities, passing sport venues, historic sites, local schools and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Yet the Queen’s Baton Relay is far more than just a journey. It symbolises connecting people from every corner of the Commonwealth, celebrates Batonbearers who take on challenges, and marks the countdown to the biggest sporting event in West Midlands history. And by the time the Baton returns to England for the final leg, 71 nations and territories will have already experienced the magic that comes with it. 

“We hope that communities across the country join the excitement, attend events near them, line the streets to cheer on our incredible Batonbearers and celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.” 

CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolises hope, solidarity and collaboration across the Commonwealth at a time when it is needed most. It continues to inspire people wherever it goes and creates huge excitement for Birmingham 2022 as it journeys towards the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 28.”    

Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Nigel Huddleston, said: “The 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is coming home. Travelling the length and breadth of England, the Baton will bring the excitement of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games to every region of the country. 

“The Relay marks the final countdown to the biggest sporting event to be held in the UK since London 2012, and I hope people come together and line their streets to celebrate this historic moment.” 

Throughout May, the Queen’s Baton Relay continues its journey through the Caribbean and the Americas, with visits to St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda and Canada, amongst others.  

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit www.birmingham2022.com/qbr  

The information provided on the route through England is subject to local authority approval and therefore could be subject to change.