Event Details
Welcome to the Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary 2026
On Thursday, 5 November 2026, the small East Devon market town of Ottery St Mary becomes the setting for one of England's most extraordinary and enduring folk traditions. Thousands of visitors gather in the narrow streets as local runners hoist burning tar barrels onto their shoulders and charge through the packed crowds. Entry is free.
Highlights
- Children's barrels from around 4:00 PM to open the evening
- Women's, youths' and men's barrels from around 7:00 PM
- The "Gurt Big Un" – the largest and heaviest barrel of the night – around midnight
- Lighting of the giant bonfire at St Saviour's Meadow around 6:30 PM
- Funfair with rides and street food stalls from around 5:00 PM
- Traditional cannon fire at dawn to signal the start of the day
- Over 400 years of unbroken tradition, unique to Ottery St Mary
Program
The day begins early: at around 5:30 AM, cannon-like devices are fired across the town, announcing the arrival of Tar Barrels Day. As afternoon sets in, the streets fill with visitors and the atmosphere builds. The children's barrels begin from around 4:00 PM in designated areas of the town. The funfair usually opens between 5:00 and 5:30 PM near St Saviour's Meadow.
As darkness falls, a flaming barrel is carried in procession through the streets to light the bonfire, which burns through the night. From 7:00 PM, the adult barrels take over, moving from pub to pub as each barrel is set alight and lifted onto a runner's shoulders. The climax arrives around midnight with the "Gurt Big Un", the heaviest barrel of the evening and a fiery finale to an unforgettable night.
History and Tradition
The Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary are considered one of England's oldest surviving folk customs. Their exact origins remain uncertain, but the tradition is most widely believed to be connected to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, the failed conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Like many Devon customs, it blends elements of ancient fire ritual with the commemorations of that historic event.
What makes Ottery unique is the act of carrying the barrels. While other towns once rolled burning barrels through their streets, Ottery evolved its own custom of hoisting the barrels onto runners' shoulders. Today, Ottery is the only town in England that carries full-sized lit tar barrels in this way. Only those born in Ottery or who own a business there are permitted to become barrel rollers, and for many local families, the right to run has been passed down across generations.
The "Gurt Big Un"
The undisputed highlight of every Tar Barrels night is the "Gurt Big Un". "Gurt" is an old West Country dialect word meaning "big". This final barrel, often weighing over 30 kilograms, is lit around midnight and carried by an experienced runner through the cheering crowd. It marks the fiery and dramatic close of a long evening steeped in community spirit and local pride.
Tickets and Entry
The Tar Barrels are a free public event with no tickets required. The entire event is run by local volunteers. Visitors are encouraged to buy an official programme on the night, which includes a map of the barrel routes and approximate timings. Reusable cups are also available for purchase; introduced in 2018 to reduce single-use plastic, they come in half pint, pint and two-pint sizes and have become popular keepsakes.
Safety Information
- Never touch the barrels or attempt to approach the runners as they pass.
- Always follow instructions from stewards and marshals.
- Glass bottles are prohibited at the event; drinks are served in plastic or reusable cups only.
- The event is not suitable for pushchairs, small children or people with limited mobility after 7:00 PM.
- Do not run away from approaching barrels; simply step aside and wait for the runner to pass.
- Arrange a meeting point in advance as mobile signal can be unreliable at peak times.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive before 4:00 PM as car parks fill quickly and town centre roads close from around 3:00 PM.
- Do not drive into the town centre; use clearly signposted car parks on the outskirts of Ottery St Mary.
- Travel by bus (Stagecoach from Exeter, Sidmouth and Honiton) or by train to Feniton or Honiton, followed by a local bus or taxi.
- Dress warmly and in layers; November in Devon can be cold and wet.
- Book accommodation well in advance; nearby Exeter (approx. 20 km) and Honiton (approx. 8 km) are popular bases.
- Exeter Airport is approximately 16 km from Ottery St Mary and offers domestic and European connections.
