Ottery Tar Barrels

Various Venues, Ottery St Mary, EX11 1BX

Add Ottery Tar Barrels to your Itinerary

Close up sparkler

About

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.

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Directions

Opening Times

Ottery Tar Barrels (5 Nov 2025)

Follow us

What's Nearby

  1. HCTC Presents: Peter Pan

    Honiton Community Theatre Company Proudly Presents: Peter Pan
    Director: Tracey…

    4.89 miles away
  2. The Em Show: Tales From a Little Laughing Lesbian

    The Em Show: Tales From A Little Laughing Lesbian
    Running Time: 60 Minutes
    Age…

    4.89 miles away
  3. The Blackheart Orchestra

    The Blackheart Orchestra supported by Foxpalmer
    Running Time: 140 Minutes (Including an…

    4.89 miles away
  1. Mojo Workin Band

    MOJO WORKIN' BAND - BLUES AND BEYOND.

    RUNNING TIME: 2 HOURS (INCLUDING AN…

    4.89 miles away
  2. Track Dogs

    TRACK DOGS
    Folk/Americana/Roots/Latino
    Running Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes (Including…

    4.89 miles away
  3. Ds:uk...in Tribute To Dire Straits

    Since starting to tour in 2018, DS:UK… in tribute to Dire Straits have become the…

    4.89 miles away
  4. The Upbeat Beatles

    Did you miss The Beatles first time around? Don’t miss them now!

    It's 1963 and a new…

    4.89 miles away
  5. A Night At The BeehiveRaces

    A Night At The BeehiveRaces

    A Night At The Races - A Beehive Fundraising Event

    Running Time: 3 Hours

    Tickets £8…

    4.89 miles away
  6. St Agnes Fountain (25)

    St Agnes Fountain
    Running Time: 150

    4.89 miles away
  7. Christine Collister

    Christine's career now spans an incredible 40 years. Over that bridge of time she has…

    4.89 miles away
  8. The Beehive Fashion Show

    The Beehive's pop up shop & fashion show fundraiser!

    Presented by Colours Fundraising…

    4.89 miles away
  9. Battle of The Bands: "Sound Assembly"

    Battle of The Bands: "Sound Assembly"

    A collective celebration of emerging…

    4.89 miles away
  10. HCTC Presents "A Murder is Announced"

    Honiton Community Theatre Proudly Presents:
    Agatha Christie's "A Murder is…

    4.89 miles away
  11. Under The Radar - Charity Fundraiser In Aid Of Force

    Under The Radar - Charity Fundraiser in Aid of Force.
    Running Time - 2 Hours 30 Minutes…

    4.89 miles away
  12. Sou' Westers Handbell Ensemble - Ringing For Gold

    Sou ' Westers Handbell Ensemble Presents 'Ringing For Gold'

    Special effects and exciting…

    4.89 miles away
  13. Scotland Yard Investigates

    Scotland Yard Investigates
    Running Time: 75 minutes (No interval)
    Suitable for 12+…

    4.89 miles away
Previous Next

Search for What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles

Events Powered By

Data Thistle