A beautiful gift filled with celebrations and customs.


A fascinating journey through Britain’s folklore, season by season.
Engaging text written by a folklore expert.
Includes spells and charms from Britain’s folklore and magic.
Shows where you can visit rituals and events today.
Specially commissioned linocut illustrations throughout.
Supported by the National Trust.


Season by season, this book traces the colourful events, customs and rituals of Britain’s folklore and shows where you can visit many of them today. The book is studded with spells and charms too and has beautiful original linocut illustrations throughout.


The book reveals the origins and history of some of our best-known customs like April Fool’s Day, maypole dancing and wassailing, and also introduces us to many lesser-known ones around the UK, such as Beating the Buns, Sanding the Streets, Hunting the Earl of Rone and Bawming the Thorn.


There are entertaining (and often perilous) sporting traditions too, from worm-charming to wife-carrying, from nettle-eating to cheese-chasing.