From rolling cheese down a hill to racing in high heels while pushing beds, the UK has a proud tradition of celebrating the bizarre, the eccentric and the utterly hilarious. For travellers who want more than castles and cream teas, the UK’s quirky festivals offer a wonderfully odd way to dive into local culture — often quite literally.
Bog Snorkelling, Wales – August
Let’s start with the most infamous: the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. Every August, competitors from around the globe don snorkels and flippers to swim two lengths of a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog. No conventional swimming strokes allowed — it’s flipper power only.
Cheese Rolling, Gloucestershire – Spring Bank Holiday (May)
Each spring, hundreds gather at the top of Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester to chase a wheel of cheese hurtling down an almost vertical slope. The 9lb Double Gloucester rarely loses, and competitors often cross the finish line with more bruises than dignity. But for those brave (or foolish) enough to take part, it’s a badge of honour and a story worth telling for years.
Wife Carrying, Surrey – March
In Dorking, couples test their endurance and balance in the annual UK Wife Carrying Race. Inspired by Finnish tradition, participants carry their partner (not necessarily their spouse) through a grueling obstacle course. The prize? A barrel of ale — and possibly a few pulled muscles.
The Egremont Crab Fair and Gurning Championship, Cumbria – September
Dating back to 1267, this Cumbrian celebration is one of the oldest fairs in the world. While the crab apple throwing is a nod to its medieval roots, the real draw is the gurning contest. Competitors put their heads through a horse collar and contort their faces into the most grotesque expressions possible — it’s as absurd as it sounds, and wildly entertaining.
Bed Racing, Knaresborough – June
Held every June in the picturesque town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, the Bed Race combines fancy dress, athleticism and pure eccentricity. Teams of six push a bed on wheels — complete with a ‘passenger’ — through a 5km course that ends with a splash across a river. Costumes range from the elaborate to the downright ridiculous, and the whole town turns out to cheer them on.
World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, Lancashire – September
In Ramsbottom, Lancashire, a strange tradition pits Yorkshire puddings against black puddings. Competitors throw black puddings at a stack of Yorkshire puddings balanced on a platform. The goal? Knock off as many as you can with three throws. It’s part sport, part snack attack, and totally unique.
The UK’s eccentric festivals aren’t just about laughs — they’re about community, tradition and not taking life too seriously. These offbeat events are a brilliant way to explore the heart and humour of Britain. So pack your snorkel, limber up those gurning muscles and get ready for a holiday that’s anything but ordinary.
Because in the UK, weird is wonderful.
Images courtesy of Thomas Miller
