Cultural Devon / Devon's Cultural Calendar / Strange and Unique Events in Devon

Strange and Unique Events in Devon

Historic pageantry, tradition stretching back into the mists of time or just plain bizarre, Devon is alive with its own very special events, entered into with great gusto and enthusiasm by local people and visitors alike.

Ottery St Mary's tar barrels, carried flaming wildly through the streets, are widely renowned. But at midsummer it's pixie time - children, re-enacting an ancient legend, take captive the local bellringers and hold them prisoner in their cave. Another occasion for colourful celebrations, naturally!

Go Westward Ho! for the famous Potwalloping Festival. Dating back to the 1800s, this unique event recalls the local practice of restoring the sea defences by throwing onto a ridge pebbles flung down by winter storms.

Look out for Ashburton's Bread weighing and ale tasting ceremony - this splendid day of medieval festivities dates back to 1276 when ale tasters were first appointed to crack down on cheating brewers. The whole town enters into the spirit, dressing up in medieval clothing and processing through the streets. At the spring bank holiday Combe Martin celebrates the Hunting of the Earl of Rone, a traditional hobby horse festival, whose origins are disputed.

For the frankly bizarre, Blackawton's International Worm Charming Festival is hard to beat, but rolling oranges down the streets of Totnes comes a hot second.