The UK is famous for its history, castles and countryside, but it’s also home to some seriously weird and wonderful festivals. From rolling giant wheels of cheese down a hill to setting barrels of tar on fire, the British are all about quirky traditions. If you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, here’s a guide to the weirdest festivals in the UK that will leave you scratching your head (but laughing all the way).
5 of the Weirdest Festivals in the UK
1. Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill, Gloucestershire
If you’re after a festival that combines cheese and chaos, then Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling is your kind of event. Held every May bank holiday, this bizarre tradition involves fearless participants chasing a 9lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down an incredibly steep hill. The first person to reach the bottom wins the cheese (and probably some bruises).
The hill is so steep that participants rarely stay on their feet for long, leading to a spectacle of people tumbling, rolling and sliding in their quest for dairy glory. It’s chaotic, dangerous and utterly hilarious – perfect if you enjoy a bit of madness with your cheese.
2. Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary, Devon
Bonfire Night might mean fireworks and sparklers for most of us, but in the quiet town of Ottery St Mary in Devon, it’s all about flaming barrels of tar. Yes, you read that right.
Every November 5, brave locals carry burning barrels of tar through the streets of this small town. It’s an ancient tradition with murky origins, but today it’s a fiery spectacle that draws crowds from far and wide. The barrels are heavy, the flames are real, and the excitement is off the charts.
Safety warning: don’t get too close to the barrels unless you fancy losing your eyebrows.
3. Bog Snorkelling Championships, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
Fancy a dip in some muddy water? The World Bog Snorkelling Championships, held in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, is one of the UK’s most bonkers events. Each August Bank Holiday, participants don their snorkels and flippers to swim two lengths of a peat bog, without using conventional swimming strokes. You’ve got to rely on flipper power alone!
The sight of snorkelers splashing around in a muddy trench is weird enough, but it’s the determination of the competitors that really makes this event special. Whether you want to take the plunge or just watch from the sidelines, the Bog Snorkelling Championships offer a uniquely British take on competitive swimming.
4. Wife Carrying Race, Dorking, Surrey
The wife-carrying race in Dorking, Surrey, might sound like something from a bygone era, but it’s very much alive and kicking in the 21st century. The rules? Simple: carry your partner (traditionally your wife, but these days anyone can participate) over a 380-metre obstacle course. Oh, and don’t forget to dodge the buckets of water thrown by spectators.
This unusual event, held every March, has its roots in an ancient Viking tradition but has evolved into a day of light-hearted fun. Winners receive the quirky prize of beer and – wait for it – a giant bag of dog food! Even if you’re not up for lugging a loved one over obstacles, it’s a festival worth watching. For 2025, there will be new organisers so click on the link above to check out what is happening.
5. Egremont Crab Fair & Gurning Competition, Cumbria
If you’ve ever pulled a funny face and wondered if it was prize-winning material, then the Gurning Competition at Egremont Crab Fair is your chance to shine. The Crab Fair, held every September, dates back to 1267 and is one of the oldest fairs in the world, but it’s the gurning competition that steals the show.
Gurning, for the uninitiated, involves contorting your face into the ugliest expression possible while peeking through a horse collar. It’s a bizarre sight, but the competitors take it seriously, and the ugliest face wins! Throw in some crab-apple festivities, and you’ve got one of the weirdest festivals in the UK.
WTF Is Going On?
The UK is full of eccentric traditions, and these festivals prove that the British really know how to have a laugh – even if it involves getting muddy, risking injury or contorting your face for the world to see. If you’re looking for a taste of something different, why not check out one of these weird events next time you’re in the UK? They might leave you asking, “WTF?” but they’ll certainly give you an experience to remember.
So grab your snorkel, your wheel of cheese, or your partner (literally), and dive into the weirdest festivals in the UK. WTF!
