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Cider soaked toasts

and torchlit trails
and torchlit trails

All hail the Apple ‘Wassail’

Amidst frost-kissed orchards and
the lingering magic of Twelfth Night,
Herefordshire unveils its cherished
seasonal tradition; Wassailing!
Held around Twelfth Night in January,
Wassailing is an ancient ceremony rooted
in cider-making regions. This festive event
blesses orchards with singing, dancing and
fl aming torch-lit processions led by the
Wassail King and Queen, which are usually
children. The Queen is hoisted to place
cider-soaked toasts in the trees to encourage
fruitfulness and a bountiful harvest.
Look out for Children’s Wassail Trail
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assail T
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With Herefordshire producing over half of events in the school holidays, put on by
the UK’s 700 million litres of cider each year, The National Trust in Herefordshire.
it’s the perfect way to experience this joyful
tradition around the county. Participants raise Regular January events include The Much
an exuberant ruckus to ward off evil spirits Marcle Wassail with The Silurian Morrismen
using pots, pans and anything else that makes and this is held in and around Westons Cider
a racket. The evening usually includes sharing Visitors Centre, where you can enjoy music,
mulled spiced cider and ends with a visit to a food and mummers after the procession
local pub to warm up. and blessing.
The Leominster Morris Wassail is a stalwart
Wassailing has become a major event in both
North and South Herefordshire, now spanning event and held at one of the pubs in and
several weekends and drawing regular around Leominster, most recently at Burton
attendees and those curious about folklore Court and Newton Court Cider.
and tradition. Leominster Morris and Silurian The Woolhope Wassail at the Crown Inn
Border Morris groups lead many of the provides outdoor food, a great atmosphere
events, depicting the ‘mummers’ (dressing up and a jolly happy gathering with Landlord
in disguise), making it a spectacle to behold Matt always dressed in traditional wassailing
with their extravagant hats, fl owery jackets, attire, featuring rustic, old-world garments
often painted faces and energetic dancing. adorned with festive decorations and seasonal
Crowd participation is highly encouraged, accessories. A great sight to behold.
especially when the word ‘Wassail’ is
mentioned, it’s a real family event. So, pull on your woollies and wellies and head
to one of Herefordshire’s Wassailing evenings

A wassail bowl, filled with warm spiced cider, for a unique experience this winter. Keep an
perry, or ale, is often shared among the eye on our website in January for a round-up
procession and there’s usually a bonfi re, of forthcoming Wassailing dates and locations:
and sometimes snack food depending eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk
on the location.
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