Bog Snorkelling in Wales

Swimming in a bog might sound like a joke straight out of a Monty Python sketch, but for the residents of the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, it’s a serious sporting event. Armed with flippers, masks, and snorkels, participants heroically swim through a 55-meter-long trench filled with a mix of water and mud. The main rule? No breaststroke, butterfly, or any other traditional swimming styles — competitors rely solely on their flippers. Victory depends not so much on skill but on leg strength and, of course, the ability to remain unfazed in the face of absolute absurdity.  

Cheese Rolling in Gloucestershire

The death-defying pursuit of cheese down Cooper’s Hill is perhaps the ultimate embodiment of British recklessness and charm. This festival, which dates back around six centuries, sees participants hurl themselves down a steep slope, attempting to catch a four-kilogram wheel of Red Gloucester cheese hurtling downhill at breakneck speed. The winner isn’t the one who catches the cheese (such a feat is practically mythical) but the first to cross the finish line — usually on all fours, covered in dirt and grass. Injuries here are not just common — they’re practically a given. But who cares when adventure is in the air, the scent of cheese is everywhere, and occasionally, the sound of breaking bones echoes through the valley?  

Worm Charming in Devon

Coaxing earthworms to the surface is yet another delightfully bizarre British tradition that tests the limits of creativity. Each participant is given a small patch of land on which to demonstrate their ingenuity and engineering prowess. The rules are simple: lure worms to the surface by any means — except digging. Imagination knows no bounds here! Some competitors use classical music, others create vibrations with ribbed sticks, and the most eccentric ones recite poetry or rap. The essence of the tradition is not just inventiveness — it’s about the unique fusion of art, nature, and British humour.  

Up Helly Aa in Scotland

Up Helly Aa is a series of celebrations (the main one taking place in Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands) marking the end of Yule, an ancient pagan winter festival. Participants dress as Vikings, brandish torches, and set fire to a real wooden longship — symbolising a farewell to the long winter nights and a tribute to the islands’ Norse heritage (the Shetlands were colonised by Vikings in the 8th–9th centuries). The festival isn’t about historical reenactment; it’s about dancing, raucous drinking songs, and an atmosphere of fire-lit revelry.  

World Egg Throwing Championship in Lincolnshire

The World Egg Throwing Championship turns a simple field into an arena of farcical yet athletic competition. The event features multiple contests, with the main one being quite straightforward: teams throw eggs to each other from increasing distances, trying not to break them. If the egg remains intact, the team advances to the next round. As you might guess, within minutes of the championship beginning, the field is littered with broken eggshells, and participants are coated in sticky egg yolk.  

Gurning Championship in Cumbria

The Gurning Championship is the highlight of the annual fair in the town of Egremont, dating back to 1267 — an excellent example of British eccentricity mixed with a hearty dose of absurdity. Participants push their heads through a horse collar and distort their faces to the most ridiculous extremes, turning them into grotesque works of art. There’s no room for restraint or modesty — the winner is the one who provokes the most laughter and amazement from the audience. However, the contest is not as easy as it seems — past champions have admitted to training for three to four hours a day in the art of face-pulling.  

Straw Bear Festival in Cambridgeshire

Every January, the ancient ritual of the Straw Bear Festival comes to life in the small town of Whittlesey. The central figure, a man dressed in a costume woven from straw, parades through the streets, visiting homes to collect money and treats. He is accompanied by a large dancing crowd, continuing a tradition said to drive away winter and hasten the arrival of spring. The celebration ends on a dramatic note: the worn-out straw costume is ceremoniously burned. According to legend, this act ensures a fertile land and gives townsfolk a reason to craft a new “bear” for the next year. A cyclical celebration of the relationship between humans and nature — infused with smoke and a dash of sarcasm.  

The Man vs. Horse Marathon in Wales

In the same town where bog snorkelling takes place, another curious event occurs — the ultimate test of speed between humans and horses. The story of this interspecies marathon began in 1980 with a debate in a local pub: one man claimed that over a long distance, a human could outrun a horse. The pub owner overheard the conversation and decided to test the theory. Since then, this lighthearted marathon has become a popular event, attracting both runners and equestrian enthusiasts. The course winds through rough terrain, and while horses usually win, there’s always a chance for a human to claim victory.  

Each of these festivals offers a unique glimpse into British culture — one that shatters stereotypes of the UK as a land of only “reserved and prim” people. Visit just one, and you’ll return home with stories no one will believe, but everyone will remember.