Marshfield Mummers (Old Time Paper Boys)

What to expect

The day begins around 11am in the Market Place with carols sung alongside Marshfield Band. Then the Town Crier leads the mummers off, and they perform the play at several points along the High Street, finishing at the Almshouses by about midday. The play is short, so you can catch it more than once. Expect a sword fight, a slain hero brought back to life by a doctor, and characters such as Saucy Jack and Father Beelzebub. The crowd is large at the start but thins out as the hour goes on.

The story behind it

Mummers' plays were once performed in villages all over England around Christmas, with local men in disguise going door to door. Marshfield's version had lapsed, but it was revived in the 1930s, helped by one of the revivalists who had taken part as a boy, giving it a direct link to the older tradition. The players wear costumes of paper strips that hide their faces, hence the name Old Time Paper Boys. A collection is taken, and the group's news page records collections of around £600 in recent years.

Getting there and home

Marshfield lies just off the A420 between Bristol and Chippenham, about seven miles north-east of Bath. Bath Spa and Chippenham are the nearest stations, but there is little or no rail service across Great Britain on Boxing Day, so check before relying on trains. Most people drive or take a taxi. Parking in the village is limited on the day, so arrive in good time.

Watching, taking part and tips

The play is performed by the village's own team; visitors watch. It is free and suits all ages. If you want photographs, Calendar Customs suggests either arriving early for a front spot or waiting until later in the hour, when the crowd has thinned. Wrap up warm, as you will be standing in the street, and bring some change for the collection. The pubs in the village are a natural place to warm up afterwards.

Where to watch

Listen to the words as well as marvelling at the extraordinary paper disguises. The troupe's own history explains how the parts have been handed down directly from one performer to the next, and describes the fight between Little Man John and King William before Doctor Phoenix brings the fallen character back to life. Knowing the names makes the quick succession of arrivals easier to follow. The play ends with the whole cast singing, with dancing in the chorus, so stay for the lot rather than drifting off after the revival.

The same history describes the play being repeated at side-road junctions along the High Street, including Sheep Fair Lane, Touching End Lane, St Martins Lane and George Lane. Take that as a guide to the usual pattern rather than a confirmed 2026 map of stops. On the day, follow the Town Crier and the troupe, and keep the performance circle clear. Miss a line, and another performance may give you a better chance to hear it, without pushing to the front.

Taking part

For visitors, the simplest way to contribute is to watch closely and support the collectors. According to the troupe's history, the collection goes to local organisations rather than being shared out as a fee for the performers. Older news reports show the range of recipients, from the church hall and the band to the Brownies, Scouts and the community library project. Those are examples of what the collection is for, not a current list or a promise that the same groups benefit every year.

The history also explains that collectors learn the tradition before a performing part comes free. So if you have a local connection and would like to get involved, contact the troupe, rather than turning up in a paper costume expecting to join the cast. An oral performance handed down like this depends on continuity between people, not just on wearing the outfit. For children watching, a good game is to remember which character comes in next and listen out for the closing song, while giving the speakers room to be heard.

Make a day of it nearby

Dyrham Park, a nearby National Trust property, is an option for a longer Christmas stay, with a historic house, garden and parkland. Decide what you want to do before you arrive: a look round the house and a proper parkland walk make different demands on your time and legs. Its date-specific opening calendar matters over Christmas, so check it before planning a Boxing Day visit, as a normal tea-room listing doesn't confirm holiday service.

If you're based in Bath, the Roman Baths make a second, very different heritage outing. Use the attraction's own planning page for admission, opening times and family information, and allow enough time to explore the archaeological site properly, rather than treating it as a quick stop on the drive back. Both are independent attractions with their own tickets, and watching the mummers doesn't get you into either. We'd suggest enjoying the village performance at its own pace, then choosing one attraction on whichever day its calendar and your travel plans suit.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Marshfield Mummers: news ↗
• Calendar Customs: Marshfield Paper Boys ↗
• Marshfield Mummers:official troupe history ↗
• Marshfield Mummers:dated news and collections ↗
• National Trust:Dyrham Park visitor and access information ↗
• Roman Baths:official visit planning ↗