If you’re a Brit, you simply cannot deny that we have a lot of quirky traditions in this nation. All over Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there are countless local and often bizarre annual rituals. Let’s revisit 20 unique British traditions that you might not remember but will surely find fascinating.
Cheese Rolling in Gloucestershire
Perhaps the most famous quirky tradition of the UK is Gloucestershire’s Cheese Rolling competition, where once a year, brave participants chase a wheel of cheese down the insanely steep Cooper’s Hill. The event has been around for centuries, attracting thrill-seekers who risk tumbles and bruises for a chance to catch the runaway cheese, and according to the BBC, it only seems to be getting more popular.
Up Helly Aa in Shetland
Many Brits have never heard of Up Helly Aa, but if you happen to be from the Shetland Islands, it’s something you look forward to every year. Locals dress up as Vikings and parade through the streets with torches, a fiery spectacle that always ends in a huge pyromaniac event to mark the end of the Yule season.
Bog Snorkelling in Wales
Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales hosts an annual Bog Snorkelling Championship, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Participants snorkel through a water-filled trench cut into a peat bog, using flippers to propel themselves. The quirky event attracts competitors from around the globe who are keen to embrace the mud and fun.
Worm Charming in Cheshire
Unless you’re from Nantwich in Cheshire, you might have never heard of its World Worm Charming Championships. Dating back to 1980, contestants use various techniques to coax worms out of the ground within a set time limit, and while it might sound like a laugh, the event has some pretty strict rules.
Tar Barrels in Ottery St. Mary
On Bonfire Night, Ottery St. Mary residents carry flaming tar barrels through the streets in a fiery event that even the Shetland Islanders are fearful of. The barrels, soaked in tar and set alight, are hefted on the shoulders of volunteers, making for a dramatic tradition that dates back hundreds of years.
Pearly Kings and Queens in London
Tourists absolutely love visiting London for the Pearly Kings and Queens, a charitable tradition dating back to Victorian times. Clad in suits adorned with thousands of pearl buttons, these Londoners engage in fundraising activities, making for a truly cherished part of the city’s culture.
The Haxey Hood in Lincolnshire
Another quirky tradition from across the UK that you might have forgotten is how every January, the village of Haxey in Lincolnshire celebrates the Haxey Hood. This rough-and-tumble game involves hundreds of participants pushing a leather tube towards their local pub. Originating in the 14th century, the event is steeped in history and community spirit, and you can bet it will end in a colossal amount of pints being consumed.
Hen Racing in Derbyshire
Most countries participate in horse racing, but only Brits, more specifically, the village of Bonsall in Derbyshire, hosts an annual Hen Racing Championship. Competitors bring their fastest hens, which race down a short track. This lighthearted event, complete with humorous commentary, has been a local favourite since the 1800s.
Cornish Hurling in St. Ives
Played exclusively in St. Ives, Cornish Hurling is a centuries-old sport involving a silver ball. Two teams compete to carry the ball to their respective goals, which can be miles apart. The game is a chaotic mix of rugby and football with a uniquely Cornish twist.
Beating the Bounds in Oxford
One of the most ancient customs to be found in the historic city of Oxford is Beating the Bounds, where residents walk the parish boundaries, beating boundary markers with sticks. This tradition, dating back to medieval times, ensures that the boundaries remain clear and is often accompanied by prayers and blessings, although these days, it’s just a nice cultural tradition.
Bottle Kicking in Leicestershire
If you visit the small villages of Halaton and Medbourne in Leicestershire during the summer, you might be lucky enough to spectate in Bottle Kicking. Bizarrely, no bottles are kicked during this quirky British tradition; instead, residents of the two villages battle it out in an intense (and often violent) scrum to push a keg of ale to the boundaries of their respective villages.
Well Dressing in Derbyshire
Another strange tradition found in Great Britain is Well Dressing, yet another Derbyshire tradition. Locals create intricate designs using flowers and natural materials, crafting beautiful artworks to be displayed on wells and springs to celebrate the water sources. The custom has roots in pagan and Christian practices, so it’s lovely to see it still existing today.
Cheese Rolling in Stilton
Everyone knows about Gloucestershire’s cheese rolling event, but Stilton village, known for its famous cheese, hosts its very own take on Cheese Rolling. In fact, the idea is completely different; teams roll wooden “cheeses” along a course, aiming for the fastest time rather than chasing it down a hill.
Burning the Clocks in Brighton
Yet another fire-themed tradition of the UK is Brighton’s Burning the Clocks festival, which combines lantern parades and bonfires. Held on the winter solstice, participants create paper lanterns, which are then paraded through the city and then burned on the beach. The event symbolises the passing of time and the hope for brighter days.
Padstow Obby Oss
Cornwall’s Padstow Obby Oss festival is a vibrant May Day celebration where two hobby horses, the Old Oss and Blue Ribbon Oss, parade through the town, accompanied by musicians and dancers. The event heralds the arrival of spring and is steeped in local folklore, so it’s well worth visiting if you time your holiday right.
Horn Dance in Abbots Bromley
Yet another quirky tradition from across the UK that you may have forgotten about is the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, an annual event where participants carry reindeer antlers through the village. This 800-year-old tradition includes dancing, music, and rituals that have remained unchanged for centuries.
Whittlesey Straw Bear
In Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, the Straw Bear festival features a man dressed in a costume made of straw, parading through the streets. This custom, revived in the 1980s, is believed to bring good fortune and is celebrated with music, dancing, and merriment.
Maypole Dancing
All over the UK, maypole dancing, a quintessentially British tradition, sees dancers weaving ribbons around a tall pole. This joyous activity, generally performed on May Day, celebrates fertility and the arrival of spring. The colourful ribbons and lively music create a festive atmosphere, one that every Brit will remember experiencing at some point in their childhood.
Pancake Races
On Shrove Tuesday, towns across the UK host pancake races. Participants race while flipping pancakes in frying pans, aiming to reach the finish line without dropping their pancakes. This lighthearted tradition, rooted in pre-Lenten customs, brings communities together in good-natured fun.
Sword Dancing in Yorkshire
One of the most admirable and eloquent British traditions is no doubt Yorkshire Sword Dancing, which is a captivating folk tradition involving dancers linked by swords. The dancers weave intricate patterns, displaying immense skill and coordination, celebrating heritage and showcasing the region’s rich cultural history.