Where to go a’wassailing
Apple tree, apple tree, we all come to wassail thee…
It’s nigh on impossible to think about Herefordshire without picturing acres of orchards, baskets of shiny red apples, and flagons of golden cider. It’s safe to say that apples are a pretty big deal here. And with apples comes wassailing.
In a nutshell, wassailing is an ancient ritual wherein apple trees are ‘awoken’, blessed, and any ‘evil spirits’ lurking in the orchards are warded off for another year. The tradition is believed to have begun in Anglo-Saxon England, with the aim of snagging a bountiful harvest for the year ahead. It’s noisy, eccentric and lots of fun. No two wassailing celebrations are the same, with revelries varying around the country, but they usually involve singing, dancing, a lively procession, and (of course) plenty of cider.
Here's our pick of wassailing events happening across Herefordshire from January 2025.
Westons Cider Mill
Much Marcle, nr Ledbury
Saturday 4 January 2025, 7pm onwards
Join Westons Cider for a charity wassailing evening in support of St Michaels Hospice. Get to the Westons visitor centre for 7pm to enjoy dancing from the Silurian Morris, before setting off on a torchlit procession into the cider orchards for singing, more dancing, and a whole lot of merriment. After the main event, head back to the visitor centre for hot food, drinks, live music and mumming play. Book ahead to secure your spot (any unsold tickets can be bought on the night).
Wassail In the Orchards, NT Brockhampton
Brockhampton, near Bromyard
Saturday 4 January, 6pm – 8.30pm
Join Jenny Pipes Morris as she leads a mile-long wassail trail through Brockhampton’s orchards. Expect plenty of music and dancing, as well as the ancient rituals of burning the "Apostle Bushes" and sharing the Wassail Bowl. Warm up with refreshments from the Granary Kiosk afterwards, and pop into the manor house to check out some fabulous, traditional Christmas decorations. Dress up warm and bring a torch – and some noisemakers if you fancy! The procession uses wheelchair-friendly paths.
Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk Wassail at Newton Court Cider
Newton Court, Leominster
Saturday 11 January 2025, doors at 5pm for 5.55pm start
Up near Leominster, Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk are hosting an evening with a bit of a twist. As well as the usual live music, dance and traditional ceremonies, you’ll see folklore beasts wandering around, so beware! The evening starts by the Chapel of Apple with a live performance from Blackthorn. That should set you nicely in the mood for the procession, to Newton Court’s old orchard and back. Expect even more song and dance afterwards, including a guest performance from Bushel Bag Carollers, as well as bonfires, hot food and a licensed bar. This event tends to sell out quickly, so make sure you book ahead.
Gidderskins Folk Wassail, The Yew Tree Inn
Preston-on-Wye
Saturday 11 January, 7.30pm onwards
Gather your pots, pans, wooden spoons and any other noise-making implements and make for the Yew Tree Inn at Preston-on-Wye. Join Gidderskins folk group on their annual wassail, awakening the trees and scaring off any ill wights. Expect the usual torchlit procession to the nearby orchard, followed by an evening of food, drink, singing and dancing at the pub. Don’t forget to bring your own drinking vessel as well, if you don’t fancy drinking from the communal wassail bowl!
The Crown’s Wassailing Party
Woolhope
Saturday 18 January, 5pm onwards
Get your wellies ready for this one, you’ve been warned! Another wassail in support of St Michael’s Hospice, the Crown’s annual knees-up is a wonderfully noisy, family-friendly affair. It’s free to attend, but visitors are asked to donate to the hospice in lieu of buying a ticket. Bring pots and pans to bang and clatter and set off at 6pm on the procession. Once the trees are blessed and spirits safely scared away, head back to the pub for your choice of hog roast or chilli (beef and veggie). And there’ll be your fair share of mulled cider waiting too, of course.
The Monkland Arms Wassail
Monkland, nr Leominster
Saturday 18 January, 6pm onwards
Gather at the Monkland Arms car park, ready for the village’s yearly wassail. Start the evening’s antics at the village hall, with a torchlit procession to the orchard. Once you’re among the apple trees, scare away the evil spirits with tried-and-tested, traditional rituals (!) and dance in celebration when the job’s done. Stick around afterwards for drinks and some old-fashioned socialising at the pub if you feel like it, too.
