Discover Britain’s quirkiest festivals

Tuesday 01 June 2021

From gravy wrestling to bog snorkelling, Britain is home to an array of weird and wacky festivals. These quirky events promise plenty of laughs and entertainment, and often can’t be found anywhere else.

Whether visitors fancy watching more than 200 snails slug it out at the World Snail Racing Championships or want to take aim at the World Pea Shooting Championship, these are the eccentric festivals that can add an extra dimension to a future trip to Britain.

 

2021

Maldon Mud Race

The annual Maldon Mud Race sees around 300 competitors complete a 400-metre dash over the muddy bed of the River Blackwater in Promenade Park. Taking place at low tide, the runners – often kitted out in fancy dress – have to make their way to the opposite bank of the river and back again. In addition to the main race, the event features numerous promotional stalls and a charity duck race.

When? 15 August 2021

 

Race the Train   

As the name suggests, this event sees competitors set off in a race against the Talyllyn Railway, as it covers the journey to Abergynolwyn and back. Found in the heart of picturesque countryside in mid-Wales, the preserved narrow gauge railway runs for 7.25 miles and the races cover all types of terrain, testing competitors to their limits. Race the Train includes several different courses and challenges, including the main race that is just over 14 miles long. Spectators can sit aboard the race trains to watch the action, although tickets must be purchased in advance.

When? 21 August 2021

 

World Conker Championships

Played using the seeds of horse chestnut trees, the World Conker Championships sees competitors smash their way to victory in the picturesque Northamptonshire village of Southwick. Hosted by the Ashton Conker Club, the competition has taken place since 1965 and involves players using a conker, threaded with a piece of string, to break their opponent’s conker. Competitors take it in turns to strike their opponent’s piece, with the winner owning the conker that does not break.

When? 10 October 2021

 

2022

Wassailing

Wassailing is an ancient custom that involves singing to apple trees to promote a good harvest and to scare away evil spirits that might be lurking. Popular at orchards in the cider-producing parts of England – namely Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire – modern celebrations often involve drinking lots of cider and blessing the trees by pouring the drink on their roots. Traditionally celebrated on Twelfth Night (around 6 January), a growing number of official wassailing events are taking place each year.

When? Early 2022

 

Olney Pancake Race

The ladies of Olney in Buckinghamshire traditionally mark Shrove Tuesday each year with the Olney Pancake Race. A tradition that dates back to 1445, women must have lived in Olney for at least three months to compete and a Shriving Service follows the race, which includes a prize giving to all runners. The day also includes a children’s race, as well as breakfast sessions and raffles.

When? 1 March 2022 (TBC)

 

Dorset Knob Throwing   

This quirky pastime involves throwing dry savoury biscuits, called Dorset knobs, as far as possible! Taking place at Kingston Maurward College, competitors underarm throw three Dorset knobs each, with the furthest throw counting as their entry. Other attractions at the Dorset Knob Throwing event include knob eating, knob painting, guess the weight of the big knob and knob darts.

When? 1 May 2022

 

Tetbury Woolsack Races             

Celebrating the Cotswold village of Tetbury’s past as a major wool producer in the 16th century, the Tetbury Woolsack Races are a test of strength and fitness, as competitors carry a sack of wool up and down a steep hill.  The annual event, held over the late May Bank Holiday each year, can trace its origins back to the 17th century and sees men and women cover a course of 240 yards while carrying their woolsack. Men lug a 60lb sack, while women carry a 35lb one, cheered on by huge crowds. As well as the races, there’s also street fair featuring food and drinks stalls, a funfair, musical entertainment and a host of other performers.

When? May 2022 (TBC)

 

World Pea Shooting Championship        

Set to return for its 50th year in 2022, the World Pea Shooting Championship will see competitors go head-to-head trying to hit a set of putty targets with maple peas. Innovative peashooters are welcome, with past winners using laser sights in addition to their 30cm-long blowpipes. Anyone can enter, and competitors must hit the target – comprised of three circles of putty – from 3.5 metres away, with the top scorers progressing to the championship final. In addition to pea shooting, the event in Witcham, Cambridgeshire, has a number of animal experiences, novelty games and other stalls for people of all ages to enjoy.

When? 18 July 2022 (TBC)

 

World Snail Racing Championships

Ready, steady, slow! Around 200 snails regularly compete in the World Snail Racing Championships that are part of the Congham Fete, near King’s Lynn, in Norfolk. The region is an ideal breeding ground for snails and has hosted snail racing for more than 25 years. Entrants creep over a 13-inch course in the fastest time possible, with a Snail Trainer to the World Championships watching over proceedings to ensure fair play all round. Find a snail and turn up to participate, or watch on as the molluscs slide off in search of glory.

When? July 2022 (TBC)

 

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Visitors can look forward to celebrating the gastronomic wonders of garlic in 2022 at the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, an event dedicated to the famous cooking ingredient! Hosted at the multi-award-winning Garlic Farm in Newchurch, on the Isle of Wight, the festival offers the chance to sample an array of different products, including garlic beer and the Ultimate Bloody Mary! Past years have even seen visitors partake in a ‘heat challenge’, biting into mild flavours before getting their teeth into the fieriest clove, the Vampire Slayer! It’s an opportunity to test the taste buds while enjoying live music, arena entertainment and plenty of fantastic food!

When? 20-21 August 2022

           

World Bog Snorkelling Championships 

Visitors can imagine diving in at the deep end with a visit to the 34th annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. Taking place at the Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of the town, competitors take the plunge to snorkel two lengths of the bog – around 110 metres – as quickly as possible while swimming doggy paddle and keeping face down in the water. Attracting competitors and spectators from around the world, there is live music and an array of food, drink and craft stalls to keep everyone entertained. For those who want to test themselves, a Bog Triathlon runs the day before the main event and includes an eight-mile run, 12-mile cycle and 60-yard bog snorkel. Registration to take part closes seven days before the event gets underway.

When? 28 August 2022

 

World Gravy Wresting Championships

Taking quirky to the extreme, the World Gravy Wresting Championships sees contestants in hilarious fancy dress wrestle in gravy for two minutes to be crowned World Gravy Wrestling Champion! Held at the Rose ‘N’ Bowl in the village of Stacksteads, Lancashire, judges score the bouts based on fun wrestling moves, exceptional costumes and how much the crowd laughs.

When? August 2022 (TBC)

 

Egremont Crab Fair and World Gurning Championship 

Since being established in 1267, the Egremont Crab Fair and Sports features an abundance of traditional and bizarre events, including the stand-out World Gurning Championship. Found on the West Cumbrian coast, a matter of miles from the western fringe of the Lake District National Park, the competition sees people distort their faces to pull grotesque poses through a horse collar, known as a braffin. The fair includes a craft marquee, equestrian events, dog shows and plenty of fairground rides, as well as live music. 

When? 16-17 September 2022

 

World Stone Skimming Championships

Up to 350 competitors flock to Easdale Island, near Oban in Argyll, Scotland, for the World Stone Skimming Championships in September each year. Only naturally formed stones made of Easdale slate can be used and competitors must bounce their stones at least twice for their go to be deemed a valid skim. Anyone of any age and skill can enter, although places are limited.

When? 25 September 2022

 

Restrictions on travel to and around Britain are in place due to Covid-19. Visitors are encouraged to always check individual attraction websites for the latest information, as events and details are subject to change.

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

pressandpr@visitbritain.org

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Woolsack Racing image credit: Roger Greenwood