8th May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and if you’re looking to commemorate the moment, learn more about how it happened or simply have a good day out, then we’ve got the guide for you.
With bank holiday weekends and the beginnings of summer, May in England is a good time to celebrate. More than that, May is a month to commemorate good news from the past - specifically, Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Plus, hopping on the train is the perfect way to travel for your VE Day trip. With train travel, you can wave goodbye to navigating traffic so you can arrive relaxed and ready to immerse yourself in the commemorations. With LNR's convenient connections and regular services, reaching your destination couldn’t be easier. It's the more sustainable travel choice too, so you’ll be doing your bit for the planet while celebrating history.
Ready to get your victory celebrations underway? Read on to find out the top 10 events and attractions to check out for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 🏳️👇
1. Bletchley Park
- 0.3 miles from Bletchley Station (45 minutes from London by train)🚆
Running from the 1st to the 15th of May, Bletchley Park has multiple events that cater to history buffs, music lovers and revellers alike. Whether you’re looking to learn more about VE Day and its history or take some time to celebrate VE Day through arts and culture, Bletchley Park has lots of options. And with getting there by train being so easy, there really is no excuse. Bletchley Park is just a 5-minute walk from Bletchley Station, served by direct trains from London and the West Midlands via London Northwestern Railway.
Events include an installation showcasing the personal experience of veterans on Victory Day in 1945, a 1940s Weekend of live music, dancing and vintage fun and an afternoon enjoying music performed by legendary musicians Isobel Bailie, Pierre Bernac and Francis Poulenc at the Concert of Codebreakers.
2. Coffin Works
- 0.5 miles from Jewellery Quarter Station
This hidden gem in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter offers a unique insight into an underappreciated wartime industry. The Coffin Works produced fittings for wartime funerals and royal ceremonies alike. On VE Day weekend head to the riverside warehouse and learn about the history of coffin craftsmanship in the UK, take in the restored historical building and browse the diverse Newman Brother’s collection.
3. The VE flypast in London
- Westminster Bridge is 1.3 miles from Charing Cross Station
No celebration would be complete without a proper RAF flypast. This year, you can expect an epic spectacle in central London on the 5th of May, with current and historic aircraft - including the Red Arrows - soaring overhead to honour the armed forces and the heroes of 1945. Prime viewing spots include The Mall, St. James’s Park and Westminster Bridge, so make sure to arrive early, grab a flag, and look up!
4. Visit the poppies at the Tower of London
- 0.3 miles from Fenchurch Street Station
There’s no need to rush out and experience the famous poppy display during VE Day weekend. The display is returning to the moat of the Tower of London this May as part of the VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations and will be staying put for the entire summer. ☀️
With thousands of ceramic poppies symbolising the lives lost during WWI and WWII, it’s a moving experience that brings history to life. The Tower’s exhibitions also showcase wartime artefacts, stories of resilience, and the nation’s response to Victory Day, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
5. Beyond Victory Tour at Westminster Abbey
- 1 mile from the Waterloo Station
Join Katie Wignall on a tour analysing the impact and legacy left behind by the Second World War. Since the end of the war, Westminster has been a national site of commemoration since 1945, and the 80th Anniversary will not disappoint. Step into the history books with the Beyond Victory Tour at Westminster Abbey. This exclusive guided experience focuses on the Abbey’s unique role during and after the war, including royal broadcasts, wartime weddings and the national service of thanksgiving for peace in Europe.
If a guided tour isn’t your cup of tea, Westminster Abbey will be bustling with insightful talks and creative workshops in addition to the guided tours. Whether you’re planning on heading out with friends or family or are going solo, there is something for everyone.
6. Step back in time at Churchill War Rooms
- 0.8 miles from Charing Cross Station
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the heart of wartime Britain with a visit to the Churchill War Rooms. Descend beneath the bustling streets of London and discover the secret underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his inner circle directed the Second World War. Wander through the preserved Cabinet War Rooms, map room, and Churchill's private living quarters, gaining a tangible sense of the immense pressure and strategic decision-making that defined the era.
7. Party at the Royal Albert Hall
- 0.6 miles from Kensington High Street Station
Prefer to mark the occasion with a bit of a knees-up? The Royal Albert Hall is throwing a full-on 1940s-themed party on 8th May with big band music, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, dancing, and live performers straight out of the Blitz era. Doors open at 18:45. Come dressed in your vintage best, sip on classic cocktails and enjoy a night of nostalgic fun in one of London’s most iconic venues.
8. Brushstrokes from the Frontline exhibition
- 0.5 miles from Waterloo Station
For something a little different, check out Brushstrokes from the Frontline, an art exhibition featuring wartime sketches, paintings, and portraits by frontline artists running from 8th - 11th May 2025. Hosted at Gallery@Oxo along the South Bank, this exhibition captures the emotional depth of wartime life - from chaos to courage to quiet hope.
The exhibition will feature paintings from wartime artist Doris Zinkeisen. The paintings by the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade volunteer nurse have never been displayed before, and this exhibition will be an opportunity to see WWII hospital wards, rescue missions and repatriation of prisoners of war through her eyes.
9. VE Day Celebrations at the RAF Museums
- RAF Museum London: 0.6 miles from Colindale Station (Underground)
- RAF Museum Midlands: 0.8 miles from Cosford Station
We can't think of a more fitting place to celebrate VE Day than at the Royal Airforce Museums in London and the Midlands. Both museums are hosting free-to-enter events on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May packed with family activities, from vintage fairground rides and a classic car show to live music and flypast action:
At RAF Museum London (Saturday only, 11:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00), step back into the 1940s with live music and swing dancing. Meanwhile, enjoy storytelling, creative workshops, a vintage photobooth, RAF uniform try-ons, and even a Best Dressed Family prize!
Meanwhile, at RAF Museum Midlands (Saturday & Sunday), witness a special Lancaster flyover tribute on Saturday at 13:30. Also on Saturday (13:00-15:30), enjoy a VE Day Concert featuring the Bluebird Belles and the RAF Band Cosford. 🎷🏴 Throughout the weekend, participate in daily bunting workshops, snap a photo at the Runway Reflections selfie station, and watch the "VE Day in Colour" documentary.
10. Gather with community
You don’t have to be in a big city to honour VE Day. Across the country, local councils, libraries, and community centres are putting on tea dances, street parties, storytelling sessions and remembrance events. Whether it’s a small town concert or a pub quiz with wartime themes, VE Day is the perfect time to gather with neighbours, build community and reflect on the peace we enjoy today as a result of those who came before us.
Celebrating the VE Day anniversary is the perfect way to be a part of history and come together to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during WWII.
Plan your journey
Whether you’re taking a moment by the Tower of London poppies, stepping back in time at Bletchley’s 1940s weekend, or joining in with local celebrations, taking the train saves the hassle of driving whilst giving you time to sit back and reflect on the events that shaped the end of the war. Train travel with LNR is affordable too, with our Advance and Off-peak fares providing you with the best prices when you book ahead.
Book your tickets today and let the train take you straight to the heart of the celebrations this VE Day!