As the festive season winds down, Somerset comes alive with the age-old tradition of Wassailing. The Wassail ceremony is a true Somerset tradition. This joyful, communal custom celebrates the apple harvest, the winter solstice, and the hope for a fruitful new year. Whether you’re a local or a visitor looking for a unique family adventure, Wassailing in Somerset offers a memorable way to embrace the region’s rich heritage. We’ve got all the best places to take part in a Somerset wassail ceremony this January, as well as exploring the history and significance of Wassailing in Somerset. Read on for the dates of wassail events near you.
What is Wassailing?
Wassailing is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to medieval times. The term “Wassail” comes from the Old English word “waes hal,” which means “good health.” Originally, Wassailing was a ritual performed to ensure a good apple harvest for the coming year. The tradition involves singing songs, making noise, and sometimes pouring cider or ale around the base of apple trees to “wake up” the spirits and encourage them to bless the trees with a bountiful crop.
The custom is particularly popular in the apple-growing regions of Somerset, where orchards abound. It’s an event that brings together friends, families, and communities to celebrate the season, promote good fortune, and share in the joy of the winter months.
The History of Wassailing in Somerset
Wassailing has its roots in the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions, where people believed that trees had spirits and needed to be appeased for a good harvest. The custom grew particularly strong in areas with a rich apple-growing tradition like Somerset, Herefordshire, and parts of Kent.
Historically, Wassailing ceremonies wake up the apple trees from their winter slumber. People would gather in orchards, chanting, singing, and making loud noises with pots and pans to scare off evil spirits. It was believed that this would protect the trees from harm and bring about a healthy apple harvest. Over time, the practice evolved into a celebration of friendship and community, with families and friends coming together to share food, drink, and song.
Today, Wassailing is not just about the orchard but about bringing communities together to share in the joy of the season. It’s a festive occasion filled with music, dancing, and of course, the symbolic drinking of cider!
Where to Experience Wassailing in Somerset
Somerset is home to some of the best Wassailing events in the UK. Here are a few top places where you can experience this traditional celebration:
Porlock Wassail Somerset
Where: Dovery Manor Museum, Porlock, TA24 8QB
When: Monday 6th January 2025, at 6.00pm.
Price: FREE
Starting at Dovery Manor Museum at 6.00pm with a Mummers play, a procession then through the village to the community orchards and finishing at the Castle for a second Mummers play.
Wassail Events 2025 at The Community Farm, Chew Magna
Where: The Community Farm, Denny Lane, Chew Magna, North Somerset, BS40 8SZ
When: Saturday 25th January 2025, 1.00pm – 3.30 pm.
Price: Adults £5, Children £2 (or whatever you can afford). Takings from this event help nourish community and wildlife through food.
As the earth begins to come out of its winter slumber come and wake up the apple trees at The Community Farm!
Gather around the fire to toast and bless the orchard trees, and learn traditional Wassail songs with folk singer-songwriter Susanna Waters.
Also joining this year is the incredible folk band from Three Hares Farm, who’ll be accompanying you while you make your fabulous Wassail crown and take part in a whole host of other brilliant natural crafts (or simply sit back and enjoy whilst sipping on your delicious cider!).
Enjoy seasonal soups and gorgeous apple juice from their fields, as well as homemade cakes and hot drinks.
Somerset Wassail at the Somerset Rural Life Museum
Where: Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DB
When: Saturday 11th January 2025, 7.30pm – 10.00pm (doors 6.45pm)
Price: Adult £12, Child (5+) £8, Under 5 FREE (includes seasonal drink on arrival and piece of apple cake)
Warm yourself around the fire in the courtyard, then join the main wassailing event in the museum’s 14th century Abbey Barn and around the oldest apple tree in the orchard to promote a bountiful apple crop for the following year.
Les Davies MBE, will join as Master of Ceremonies for the evening; crowning the Wassail King or Queen and blessing the cider trees. Local band Rapscallion will provide musical entertainment.
Shoemakers Museum Orchard, Clarks Village, Street
Where: Shoemakers Museum, The Grange, Street, Somerset, BA16 0BQ
When: Sunday 19th January 2025, 2.00 – 4.30pm
Price: Free
Join in the celebrations at The Orchard – a traditional Wassailing in Somerset event and a popular celebration in the walled orchard. The Langport Mummers will be there to delight all with their music and dance. With the legendary Les Davies (Westcountry Man, CBE) as the master of ceremonies to bless the oldest tree in the orchard which is said to encourage a good crop! With music and storytelling and a competition for the finest headress!!
Refreshments are available, including apple juice and cider.
Pilton Wassail, Somerset, 2025
Where: Tithe Barn, Pilton, Somerset
When: Saturday 11th January 2025, 3.00pm – 6.30 pm.
Price: Adults £5, Children (15 and under) £2, Under 4’s Free. Cash only please.
Come along for a traditional toasting to the apple trees at the wassailing ceremony in Pilton. Bring pots, pans, wooden spoons, whistles or anything to make plenty of noise. There’s firing of shotguns and burning the ashen faggot!
Don’t forget your torches and lanterns for the procession to Cumhill Farm Orchard.
Entertainment from Cam Valley Morris Men, and Pilton’s Village Voices. Mummer’s play with Pilton Players.
Wear silly hats, and suitable footwear and outdoor clothing. Enjoy a free tot of wassail cup plus, Gabriel’s Orchard Cider and apple juice is on sale as well as hot food.
National Trust Tyntesfield, Wassail in Somerset
Where: Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX
When: Sunday 26th January 2025, 1.30pm – 3.00pm.
Price: Wassail Event is included in admission price.
Tyntesfield are working in partnership with Kittiwake Boarder Morris, performing their annual Somerset Wassail. Festivities begin at the front of Tyntesfield House. Attendees are led in a procession down to the orchard where there will be refreshments and a option to join in with a ceremony blessing the trees.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, including waterproof shoes, raincoats and umbrellas if needed.
Wassailing at The Railway Inn, Sandford
Where: Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA
When: Wednesday 15th January 2025. 6.30pm start
Price: £28/pp
Join in with the Thatchers wassailing celebrations at The Railway Inn this New Year. The Wassail ceremony sees apple trees blessed with cider, and awoken from their winter slumber by creating as much noise as possible to ensure a fantastic apple harvest – and cider – this coming year.
This years wassail evening includes a delicious two course meal, cooked fresh in their pub kitchen, mulled cider to keep you warm, live music and a display from the Morris Dancers.
This is a ticket only event.
Wassailing at the Clevedon Community Orchard, 2025
Where: Near Bay Tree School, Clevedon, BS21 6JP
When: Saturday 11th January 2025, at 2.30pm
Price: Free
Come along to Clevedon Community Orchard this January for their annual wassail event. Please dress appropriately for this popular, family friendly event, and bring a pot or pan to bang. Apple cake and mulled cider will be available. Green men are welcome!
Hutton Wassail 2025, Weston super Mare
Where: Hutton Village Hall, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9SR
When: Saturday 18th January 2025, 6.00pm – 11.30pm.
Price: Adult £10.78; Children £5.39
Wrap up warm and travel around the village blessing the apple trees, warding off evil spirits and of course delighting in a lovely mulled cider or two.
This years route:
- Meet at 15a Moorcroft Road
- Travel to Walnut Barns
- Finish the night at Hutton Village Hall
There’s Morris dancing, sea shanties and a live band to dance the night away. There’s mulled cider aplenty and of course whatever other tipple you desire.
Rich’s Cider Farm Somerset Wassail
Where: Watchfield, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4RD
When: Saturday 18th January 2025, at 7.30 pm.
Price: £15/pp – advance ticket-only event. Children under 12 FREE.
Join Rich’s for their annual Charity Wassail, where there’s singing, dancing and drinking plenty of their award-winning cider. Somerset’s finest BBC radio presenter, Andy Bennett is hosting this year!
There’s delicious hot food on sale all evening from The Cider Press Restaurant, and two fully stocked bars. The Skimmity Hitchers will be performing, playing their classic Scrumpy and Western music with a 21st Century twist.
Sheppy’s House of Cider Wassail, 2025
Where: Three Bridges Farm, Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, TA4 1ER
When: Friday 31st January 2025, 5:30 pm – 10 pm (ceremony starts at 6.45pm)
Price: £18/pp (including booking fee), Car Parking £6
Join Sheppy’s Cider for an evening of chanting, dancing and tradition to help ensure that next year’s harvest is a good one. It’s important for all cider-makers to bless their apple trees.
Ticket price includes admission and food. Bar drinks (including tea and coffee) will be available to purchase before and after the ceremony. After the ceremony there’s folk dancing, cider drinking, and a fire.
Wassail! with Kilter Theatre at Bath City Farm
Where: Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Whiteway, Bath, BA2 1NW
When: Sunday 19th January, 2025
Price: Pay what you can (£4 – £16)
Wrap up warm, bring a pot and a wooden spoon, and join in as we take up the rituals of drumming, shouting and hurling slices of toast into the branches.
The fun includes,
Making as much noise as you can!
A traditional apple wassail
Actors with silly hats and ridiculous accents!
Family friendly fun and games
Toast!
Please bring your own reusable cup for mulled apple juice (non alcoholic) as part of the wassail ritual.
Buttercross Community Orchard Wassail, Dunster
Where: St George’s Street, Dunster, TA24 6RS
When: Friday 17th January 2025, at 7.30pm
Join the Buttercross Community Orchard for their Wassailing celebrations. Enjoy cake and mulled cider, music, songs and stories.
Watch the firing of the wassail guns, then join the wassail procession to the Forester’s Arms where local musicians play on into the night.
The Chard Community Wassail 2025
Where: Chard community orchard behind Chard Museum, TA20 1QB
When: Sunday 19th January 2025, doors open 5.30 pm.
Price: FREE
Join Chard Museum for Merry-ment and toasts to good health. This Somerset Wassail community event features Chard Town Crier, guest musicians and Morris Dancing from Blackdown Morris.
Warm yourself around the fire in the courtyard, then join the main event in the museum’s 14th century Abbey Barn and around the oldest apple tree in the orchard. Enjoy mulled cider and apple cake on the patio raising a toast to a bountiful apple crop for the coming year. Plus, don’t forget to bring pots, pans, or drums to make some noise and wake up the trees.
Bere Cider Company Wassail (Somerset) 2025
Where: Woodpecker Lodge, Bere, Aller, Somerset, TA10 0QX
When: Saturday 18th January 2025, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Price: Free entry.
Come and join the celebration at the Bere Cider annual Wassail. There’s Morris dancing, cider drinking, BBQ, live music and apple cake eating!
- 5pm BBQ
- 6pm Morris Dancing
- 6.30 pm Wassail Ceremony
- 7pm – 10pm Live Music
- 11pm Last Orders!
Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society Wassail in Somerset, 2025
Where: The Mid-Somerset Showground, Cannard’s Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4GF
When: Wednesday 15th January 2025
Price: £15 (includes entertainment and food).
A traditional Wassail ceremony ensures a good cider apple harvest for the following year. By blessing the cider apple trees and warding off unwanted spirits it is hoped a good harvest will follow.
Bring instruments and make noise to scare away the unwanted spirits. A Wassail Queen is chosen from the assembled crowd and a bonfire lit to ward off the evil spirits.
After the bonfire and wassail ceremony there is entertainment in the Yeoman Building, hot food provided by Denela’s, plus a traditional cider bar.
Orchard Park Farm Wassail and Ceilidh
Where: Hornblotton, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6SF
When: Saturday 18th January 2025, at 5.30pm.
Price: £15 Adults; £2.50 Children – (Supporting Hornblotton Church and Village Hall).
Hot food, complimentary drink and Ceilidh dancing in the barn with the Four Foot Four band.
Wonderful Wassail and Countryside Crafts day at Yeovil Country Park
Where: Summerhouse Hill Community Orchard, Yeo Leisure Park, Yeovil, BA20 1NP (near Hollywood Bowling).
When: Thursday 20th February 2025
Price: Free event but some activities require a donation.
Come along to this Somerset Wassail event to liven up the wintery park with beating drums, music to dance to, countryside crafts, hot food and drink, marshmallow-melting fires, and ghost-scaring ceremonies! No need to book, just turn up on the day and enjoy! Get ready to celebrate, Saxon style!
Parking: Yeo Leisure Park, BA20 1NP. Walk to the Orchard is about 1 minute; follow signage.
Food and drink available to buy.
The Weylands Wassail in Frome, Somerset
Where: The orchard by the river behind Weylands/Whatcombe Road
When: Saturday 8th February 2025, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Price: Free
The Weylands Wassail is back for its third year in the orchard by the river behind Weylands. Live music from Frome Street Bandits, craft activities including creating willow bird feeders for the garden, and mulled cider and apple juice will join the wassail ceremony itself.
Refreshments are available to buy and the opportunity to make a donation to the community groups providing the activities. Join in the fun, bring your pots and pans and your loudest voices!
Midsomer Norton Wassail Somerset
Where: Unit 14 (14 South Road, opposite South Road Car Park)
When: Saturday 1st of February 2025
Price: Free
Join in with the town’s annual wassail celebration, crowning wassail kings and queens, making a traditional toast, and ‘waking up’ the apple trees for the year’s harvest.
- From 10am – 12pm, free activities including face painting and family workshops.
- 12pm – Procession from outside Unit 14 led by Master of Ceremonies, Trevor Hughes, the Cam Valley Morris Men, musicians and the Langport Mummers.
- Afternoon entertainment includes a folk play, Morris dancing and the wassail ceremony.
- Enjoy cider, apple cake, hog roast and ice cream.
- Bring along pots, pans, bells and whistles to make a hullabaloo and ward off evil spirits!
- Top Tip: Costume is also encouraged – we suggest lots of ivy, green face paint, and colourful bohemian clothes.
What songs do you sing at a Somerset Wassail?
Apple tree, apple tree,
Bear good fruit,
Or down with your top
And up with your root!
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
here we come a-wand’ring
so fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
and to you your wassail too;
God bless you and send you a happy New Year,
and God send you a happy New Year…
Why You Should Try Wassailing in Somerset
Wassailing is not just about the cider or the apples—it’s about community spirit and celebrating traditions that have been passed down for generations. Here’s why you should consider taking part in this unique Somerset custom:
- Cultural Immersion: Wassailing offers a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the local culture of Somerset. The events provide a glimpse into the region’s rich agricultural heritage and its connection to the apple industry.
- Fun for All Ages: Whether you’re young or old, Wassailing is an event for everyone. It’s an experience that families can enjoy together, from singing songs around the fire to sharing a traditional cider toast.
- Celebration of Nature: The practice of Wassailing honors the natural world, encouraging good fortune for the apple trees and a successful harvest in the coming year.
Tips for Wassailing in Somerset:
- Dress Warmly: While Wassailing events are full of warmth and cheer, they are often held outdoors in January, so be sure to dress for the winter weather.
- Bring Pots and Pans: At many Wassail events, participants are encouraged to make noise to wake up the apple trees. Bring a pot, pan, or even a bell to join in the tradition!
- Check Event Dates: Wassailing celebrations usually take place around Twelfth Night (January 6th) or the first week of January, so be sure to check event dates in advance to avoid missing out.
Wassailing in Somerset is an experience steeped in history, tradition, and community spirit. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the winter season and join in a beloved local custom that welcomes the new year with hope, joy, and good fortune. Whether you’re exploring the Somerset Levels or enjoying a traditional Wassail in a charming village, the warmth and cheer of Wassailing is the perfect way to experience the heart of Somerset this January.
Have you ever taken part in a Wassail? Share your experience in the comments below or let us know if you’re planning to join in on this year’s celebrations in Somerset!
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