The Tar Barrel tradition is hundreds of years old. The exact origins are unknown but probably started after the gunpowder plot of 1605. Various alternative reasons suggested for burning barrels have included fumigation of cottages and as a warning of the approach of the Spanish armada.
The West Country has a history of torchlight processions and burning barrels and Ottery was only one of the many towns and villages following an annual tradition containing barrels which were rolled in the streets on November 5th each year. Somewhere along the line someone decided rolling was tame and carrying barrels on your shoulders was far more appealing and so the present tradition was born and now Ottery is the only town in the country carrying full sized lighted tar barrels through the streets.
The procession of tableaux is also an old West Country tradition and is still a popular part of the winter months when most weekends will see a procession of brightly lit tableaux in a great many Towns and villages.
November the 5th each year is the traditional day for the Tar Barrels and only changes when the 5th falls on a Sunday. The procession and fireworks are normally on the Saturday before the 5th of November.
Ottery Tar Barrels (5 Nov 2025) |
---|
Come and enjoy an evening of three one-act plays:
"Flaming Barrels" by Chelle Walsh is…
Our line-up is already beginning to take shape! More acts being announced soon...
We…
Founded in Barnsley Rock City in 2006,The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a…
Come and join us for a Concert production of HMS Pinafore lead by Emma Palmer
Evening of Mediumship with Nikki Kitt
Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt is a Spiritualist Medium…
Since starting to tour in 2018, DS:UK… in tribute to Dire Straits have become the…
Experience the Magic of Roy Orbison and his music with Barry Steele!
For over 20 years,…
Christine's career now spans an incredible 40 years. Over that bridge of time she has…
MOJO WORKIN' BAND - BLUES AND BEYOND.
RUNNING TIME: 2 HOURS (INCLUDING AN…
The Salts
Running Time: 2 Hours (including interval)
Ticket Prices: General Admission…
Murder Mystery Night: Murder At The Speakeasy
A Candlelight Murder Mystery Company…
TRACK DOGS
Folk/Americana/Roots/Latino
Running Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes (Including…
Manhunter & Mindhunter: The Psychology of a Serial Killer
Running Time: 2 Hours…
‘Mrs. Churchill – My Life with Winston’
Starring Liz Grand
Running Time: 1 Hour 40…
Presenting a new collaboration from two of the UK's finest folk singers, Miranda Sykes…