After the New Year’s celebrations, Herefordshire unveils its stalwart seasonal tradition—Wassailing!
Rooted in cider-making regions, this ancient ceremony blesses orchards with singing, dancing, and torch-lit processions led by a wassail King and Queen. The Queen places Cider-soaked toasts in the trees, encouraging fruitfulness.
Participants create noise to ward off evil spirits using whatever is to hand including pots and pans, usually followed by sharing warm spiced cider and then finishing the evening off with a visit to a local pub to warm up!
Join the spirited wassailing evenings across Herefordshire, don your woollies, and embrace this extraordinary tradition in the hub of UK apple-growing!
We have listed those planned Wassails below and keep an eye on our website in January for a round-up of Wassailing dates and locations, which will be updated daily eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk
Bartonsham History Group Wassail
Saturday 6 January 2024
4 – 7pm
Park Street
Watling Street Wassail
Saturday 6 January 2024
4:30 – 7pm
Watling Street, Leintwardine
Meet on the Green at 4:30pm. Take torches, sturdy footwear, warm clothes, a means of making noise (whistles, drums, clackers, etc.) to scare away the evil spirits and good voice to join in and salute to the trees. The procession will arrive in Dark Lane for hot dogs, mulled cider and apple juice.
All proceeds shared with local charities.
£4.00
Westons Cider Wassail
Saturday 6 January 2024
From 6pm
Westons Cider Mill, Much Marcle
The Silurian Border Morrismen will present their popular Wassail in Much Marcle at Westons Cider Visitor Centre HR8 2NQ, just outside Ledbury.
Dancing will be at 7pm followed by an atmospheric torchlight procession into the ancient cider orchards. After the Ceremony of singing, carousing and general merriment there will be food, music and Mummers at the Visitor Centre.
Add in a bit of Silurian’s vigorous border dancing and you’ve got a great night out for the whole family.
This popular event raises much needed funds for St Michael’s Hospice at Bartestree. After the success of ticketing the event last year, the 2024 the event will once again be entry by pre-bought ticket only.
Tickets Adults £10.00, Children Free.
The Leominster Morris Wassail
Saturday 6 January 2024
From 7pm
Crown Inn, Dilwyn
Tickets are free but must be collected in advance from The Crown Inn at Dilwyn.
Phone 01544 318063 for more information.
Monkland Wassail & Ceilidh
Friday 12 January 2024
7 – 9pm
Monkland Village Hall, HR6 9DB
An evening of fun and laughter starting from Monkland Village Hall, near Leominster.
Scare the evil spirits with a Wassail and then dance in celebration.
£10 per person including supper (vegan options available).
Contact The Monkland Arms to book your tickets on T: 01568 720510.
Woolhope Wassail
Saturday 20 January 2024
From 5pm
The Crown Inn, Woolhope
Wassailers will be gathering at The Crown Inn for the Woolhope Wassail at 5pm on Saturday, January 20, ready for the torchlit walk to the orchard at 6pm.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun as the apple trees are blessed and the spirits invoked. Expect great food, a great atmosphere and a great night for all the family.
There will be a collection with proceeds going to St Michaels Hospice.
Visit the website for further information about The Crown Inn.