From Halloween and bonfire night to Christmas markets, ice skating and new year fireworks, the final three months of the year are packed with opportunities for getting out and enjoying a bit of revelry in the evenings. But for some reason, we don’t continue winter merrymaking into January.
So if you’re struggling into the new year, feeling bereft of festive pleasures and lacking pretty much anything to look forward to until the arrival of spring, warm weather and a clutch of bank holidays, you may want to consider embracing the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Wassailing this January as a way to prolong new year merriment. Especially if you’re a cider drinker.
It may sound archaic, but plenty of Wassailing events in and around apple-growing regions such as Bristol and Somerset still continue today, with a mix of Pagan and vaguely Christian customs in which apple trees are blessed to ensure a healthy harvest for the year ahead. Wassail drinks, typically warm cider, are shared, and songs are sung while a king and queen are elected to lead revellers in a noisy procession, sometimes accompanied by shotguns, to both waken sleeping tree spirits and frighten away evil demons.
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Everyone then gathers around whatever is considered the best tree in the orchard, where gifts such as wassail-soaked toast are tied to its branches. Like a bird feeder of yore, the toast should attract wildlife to the tree to encourage pollination the spring and a bountiful harvest. Deriving from the “ waes hael”, meaning “be well”, this pre-Christian quaintly British custom generally takes place on the Twelfth Night, January 5, though some insist on celebrating according to the Julian calendars ‘Old Twelvey’, or the January 17.
Fortunately, the tradition is flexible, meaning there are plenty of events spread throughout January and into February to enjoy. We've rounded up some of the best in and around Bristol.
Urban Wassail, The Exchange Basement, January 13
Like cider and songs about cider, but don’t fancy standing in a field in January? You can Wassail in the relative comfort of the Exchange Basement on Old Market Street while listening to the folk stylings of The Mighty Shinkickers, featuring members of legendary cider-punk outfit The Surfin' Turnips. They are joined by the Skimiity Hitchers, a group of “badger-botherin', cider-slurpin' wrong'uns singing West Country parodies and home pressed original material”.
Described on Facebook as a “truly underground urban Wassail”, expect a few subverted traditions, tales cider apple famine of 1857 and seedy goings on in the Port of Bristol, as well as a special guest Wassail King.
Capacity is limited to 60, and the basement is not wheelchair accessible. Kicking off at 19:15, tickets are £10 in advance, and the event is dues to finish at the decent hour of 22.00 pm.
72 Old Market, BS2 0EJ Bristol
Rich's Cider Farm, January 14
The Skimmity Hitchers can also be found at a slightly more pastoral Wassail in Somerset this year too. Rich’s Cider Farm in Highbridge is once again hosting its traditional annual Wassail on Saturday, January 14. Prospective Wassailers will be treated to all the classic customs, including guns, trees and toast, music, apple bobbing and a charity raffle with all the proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
Being a cider farm, there will be plenty to drink, and hot food will be available. Tickets cost £15 and can only be bought in advance. Children under 14 go free, but the organisers recommend leaving four-legged scrumpy fans at home as it is expected to be loud and busy.
Rich’s Cider Farm, Watchfield, Highbridge, Somerset
Horfield Organic Community Orchard, January 14
Taking place from 2pm to 4pm, Horfield Organic Community orchard’s annual Wassail will offer visitors mulled juice and homemade cake for sale. Wassailers are asked to bring clouties (a piece of cloth to tie to a tree branch) and shiny things to dress the trees.
To find the orchard (nearest postcode BS7 8JP), walk down the lane beside 22 Kings Drive (between Bishop Road and Kellaway Avenue), turn left, and it’s the first gate on the right OR Take the lane beside 134 Longmead Avenue (BS7 8QQ) until you come to the last gate on the left.
Somerset Rural Life Museum, January 14
If you don’t mind heading out to deepest darkest Glastonbury, then the Somerset Rural Life Museum has an annual Wassail that will please fans of cider and history alike. The event takes place in the museum’s 14th-century Abbey Barn and around the oldest apple tree in its orchard.
Les Davies MBE acts as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, crowning a Wassail King or Queen and blessing the cider trees, while local band Rapscallion provides some musical entertainment.
Doors open at 6.45 pm, and the ceremony begins at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £12 for adults or £8 for children with under fives admitted for free. The price includes a seasonal drink on arrival and a piece of apple cake with further drinks, hotdogs and burgers available to purchase with cash.
Somerset Rural Life Museum Chilkwell Street Glastonbury BA6 8DB
Glastonbury Abbey, January 15
Glastonbury Abbey gets in on the cider-packed action with its annual Wassail on Sunday January 15, at 2pm. A site steeped in history, heritage and legend as well as King Arthur's alleged resting place, the Abbey will deliver singing, toast and cider/apple juice, including Abbey Cider which is made from apples grown in the abbey orchard.
Admission to the Wassail is included with a standard entry ticket costing £10 for adults, £9 for seniors with kids going free. Cider will be available to purchase using cash or card, but visitors may wish to bring their own food.
Magdalene St, Glastonbury BA6 9EL
Barley Wood Orchard, January 21
Producing hand-pressed cider and apple juice from over 60 varieties of apples using antique manual presses, it’s probably not surprising that Barley Wood Orchard in Wrington is a fan of the time-honoured tradition of Wassailing.
In a night of celebration of light in the darkness, Barley Wood promises merry-making, music, fire and ceremony on the evening of January 21. More details are soon to be released, but all are welcome, and no tickets are required.
Barley Wood Walled Garden, Long Lane, Wrington, BS40 5SA
The Community Farm, February 5
Want to Wassail but not sure where to start? At the Community Farm in Chew Magna, you can learn traditional Wassail songs with folk singer-songwriter Susanna Waters (no talent or experience necessary). There's even audio of the songs and lyrics on the website, so you can prep in advance.
You'll also have the opportunity to make yourself a Wassail crown and shaker to take home while also helping out the local wildlife by making fat balls to hang off the trees. The bar will be selling local ciders, organic apple juice, hot drinks and seasonal sustenance from Wild Thyme Kitchen.
Running from 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, the event is outside, and tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children while under 3s, staff and volunteers are all free. In the event of bad weather forcing a cancellation, organisers will notify you 2 days in advance and offer a full refund.
Denny Ln, Chew Magna, Bristol BS40 8SZ
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