Unusual Festivals around the UK
The UK is home to an incredible diversity of different festivals, some of them incredibly quirky. Some of these are a consequence of the country’s long history; others are more modern occasions. Let’s take a look at some of the more unusual festivals from around the UK, and see which of them are worth a visit.
Cheese-Rolling, Gloucestershire
Kicking off our list is an annual event that’s been going on since the 15th century. A four-kilo wheel of Double Gloucester is taken to the top of the steepest local hill, and residents are invited to chase it down. Not surprisingly, this is an event which has attracted adrenaline-junkies from across the world, many of whom are injured spectacularly.
Twelfth Night, London
This is ostensibly a pagan festival which dates back to before the introduction of Christianity to the British Isles. It involves a Mummer’s Play, in which two audience members are crowned queen and king after finding the vegetables in question in their cake. This is a winter festival, taking place in early January – so be sure to wrap up warm!
Hat Fair, Winchester
Winchester’s Hat Fair is a much younger festival, having just celebrated its 40th anniversary. It was originally a busker’s festival, where the audience would reward the talented buskers by placing money in their hats. Now, it’s grown to be something a bit more. It’s free to attend, and packed with great musicians and food – as well as hats, naturally.
Snail-racing World Championship, Norfolk
This is a racing event for those who like to set a leisurely pace. Snails race from the centre of a mat to the outside, with the winner receiving a pewter trophy filled with lettuce. Despite what you might imagine, this is an event that can be extremely tense and exciting.
Sausage and Cider Festival, Portsmouth
Sausage and Cider Fest has been around for awhile, but 2019 is the first year it’ll come to Portsmouth. The festival offers an enormous variety of sausages, some of them about as far removed from the standard-issue ones you’ll get at your local supermarket as it’s possible to get. There’ll also be live bands and DJs to keep you entertained throughout two five-hour sessions.Portsmouth is easily reachable from just about anywhere on the South coast and beyond, making a day-long outing extremely practical. You can catch a train from Brighton to Portsmouth harbour; they run regularly, and the trip takes just under an hour and a half.
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