Folk tradition · England
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
A straw-covered bear leads a procession with dance teams.
15–17 January 2027
ROUND-UP GUIDE · 6 EVENTS
A straw bear takes to Whittlesey’s streets, snails race at Congham and peas fly at targets in Witcham. Great Dunmow has its Flitch Trials and Maldon its mud race. The collection reaches into Cambridgeshire and Essex as well as Norfolk, so choose your place as carefully as your peculiar title.
These events are spread across the year and the map. Pick the date and travel plan that suit you, then decide whether you'll be watching or entering. A competitor's fee, registration window or eligibility rule may differ from spectator arrangements. Where the next edition isn't announced, use the usual month to watch for news rather than booking on a hunch.
Folk tradition · England
Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
A straw-covered bear leads a procession with dance teams.
15–17 January 2027
Unusual race · England
Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex
Competitors race across the muddy riverbed.
30 May 2027
Unusual competition · England
Witcham, Cambridgeshire
Dried peas are blown through tubes at targets.
10 July 2027
Unusual competition · England
Great Dunmow, Essex
Married couples argue before a mock court to win a side of bacon for marital harmony.
15 July 2028
Unusual race · England
Congham, Norfolk
Garden snails race across a damp cloth circle at a village cricket field.
Usually a Saturday in mid-July, from 2pm
Unusual race · England
Stilton, Cambridgeshire
Fancy-dress teams race a wooden 'cheese' along a village course near Peterborough.
Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May (2025: Sunday 25 May; 2026: Saturday 24 May)
“Stay nearby” links go to Booking.com, and each event guide also has train links. These are affiliate links — what that means.