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Home > Archives for British Folk Customs

Archives for British Folk Customs

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - Cambridgeshire

Hay ho, hay ho, it’s off to Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival we go!

The annual Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival takes place in Cambridgeshire from 15th to 17th January 2016 with parades, dancing, music and storytelling…

Hunting of the Earl of Rone - Photo: The Earl of Rone Council

Villagers take part in unique custom in Devon

On Spring bank holiday weekend, Friday 22nd May to Monday 25th May 2015, the village of Combe Martin, Devon, will be taking part in a unique annual custom…

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - Cambridgeshire

Catch sight of the infamous Straw Bear in Whittlesey

The annual Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival takes place in Cambridgeshire from 9th to 11th January 2015 with parades, dancing, music and storytelling…

Twelfth Night - Bankside London

Celebrate Twelfth Night with the Holly Man in London

Every year in the Bankside area of London, Twelfth Night is celebrated with a mixture of singing, dancing, plays and storytelling…

Sussex Mummer's Play - Ashdown Mummer's

A pint and a play in Sussex this Christmas

On the 20th and 21st December the World Famous Ashdown Mummers will be performing their annual Sussex Mummers’ Play in a variety of local pubs…

Saddleworth Rushcart 2016 - Saddleworth Morris

Make a song and dance for the Saddleworth Rushcart

The 40th Saddleworth Rushcart takes place from 22nd to 24th August. The ceremony originally dates from the 1800s and has taken place annually since its revival in 1975…

Bawming of the Thorn - Appleton Thorn, Cheshire

Revived custom ‘Bawming of the Thorn’ takes place in Cheshire

Appleton Thorn is the only village in England where the annual Bawming of the Thorn ceremony takes place, a traditional custom that was revived in 1973…

Clun Green Man Festival 2017 - the Jester and the Frost Queen

Medieval merriment, music and drama at Clun Green Man Festival

Clun Green Man Festival is a traditional annual springtime event with music, drama and medieval merriment. This year it takes place from 3rd to 5th May…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

What connects damson beer and toast hanging from trees?

Join Crook Morris at their 6th Wassail Day on Saturday 11th Jan, as they gather in the damson orchard at Lyth Valley, for singing, dancing and merriment…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

Bringing in the New Year with a unique fire festival

The Burning of the Clavie is a unique fire festival held annually on 11th January in Burghead, Moray…

The Green Man at Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd

Customs, capers and creatures in Chepstow

The Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd is a very popular family friendly annual event of old traditions, strange customs, capers, and weird creatures…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

The Fool and his Boggans gather for the Haxey Hood Game

The Haxey Hood Game is a 700 year old tradition played on the 12th day of Christmas and the second oldest surviving tradition in the UK…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

Curious college traditions at the Needle & Thread Gaudy

The Needle and Thread Gaudy is a long running tradition at Queen’s College and was formerly held on New Year’s Day…

Sussex Mummer's Play - Ashdown Mummer's

Grab a festive pint and watch the Sussex Mummers’ Play

Known internationally for their Sussex Mummers’ play just before each Christmas The World Famous Ashdown Mummers will be performing this weekend…

Contrary Life, the website for quirky UK events

Fiery fun for the Burning of Old Bartle

The Burning of Old Bartle is a traditional custom that takes place annually in West Witton, North Yorkshire. A large figure is paraded through the village and then burnt to the sound of cheers…

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Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

Make some noise for Whitby’s Krampus Run
Whitby Krampus Run 2018 - photo by Cassandra Sutton

As Father Christmas makes his annual visit to towns across the UK this weekend, there’s another, much darker character making his way to Whitby in North Yorkshire…

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