Traditional celebrations are a feature of British life. Some are straightforward and some are just plain weird – and these are the ones we love!
Tie in your travels with a bizarre event: be amused or bemused, and get an insight on Britain that you’ll never forget.
British World Marbles Championships
When: April (Good Friday every year)
Where: The Greyhound pub, Tinsley Green, Crawley, West Sussex
World marble champions travel to Tinsley Green every year to battle for the marble championship.
Cheese Rolling
When: May
Where: Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester, Cotswolds
Quaint tradition and utter mayhem, as competitors throw themselves downhill, chasing giant cheeses. Double Gloucester, naturally.
The Cotswold Olympicks
When: The first Friday after May
Where: Dover's Hill, near Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire
An amazing array of countryside games from the expected tug of war to the simply bizarre shin kicking.
World Mountain Bike Bog-Snorkeling Championships
When: 8 July
Where: Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid-Wales
Bike. Check. Wet-suit. Check. Snorkel. Check. Go!
Stonehaven Fireball Festival
When: December
Where: Stonehaven, Central Scotland
Hogmany means it’s fire time again – and don't forget to duck.
Man v Horse Race
When: June
Where: Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys
Is man equal to horse? A drunken bet has now turned into a yearly challenge between the two species.
World Toe Wrestling Championship
When: July
Where: Bentley Brook Inn, Fenny Bentley
See fierce competitors lock big toes on the specially built ‘toedium’ to prove who has the toughest toes.
World Bog Snorkelling Championships
When: August
Where: Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid-Wales
After July’s bog bicycling, swimmers now tackle the bog.
Bognor Birdman Competition
When: September
Where: Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Man’s ambition to fly is brought to life with hilarious results on England’s south coast.
World Gurning Championships
When: September
Where: Egremont, Cumbria
Straightforward aim: who can pull the ugliest face?
The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
When: September
Where: – Royal Oak Pub, Ramsbottom
There’s nothing quite so bizarre as the annual World Black Pudding Championships in Ramsbottom. Take aim with your black pudding and fire at a wall of Yorkshire Puddings!
Harvest Festival of Pearly Kings & Queens
When: October
Where: Trafalgar Square, London
Annual gathering of cherished Cockney icons.
World Conker Championships
When: October
Where: Ashton Conker Club, Oundle, Peterborough
A British school yard institution with participants competing over a cracking game of conkers!!!
Biggest Liar in the World Competition
When: November
Where: Bridge Inn, Santon Bridge, Holmrook, Cumbria
Participants have up to five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing lie they can, without the aid of props.