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Wassailing the Orchard 2025

  • Butser Ancient Farm Chalton Ln Hampshire, PO8 0BG United Kingdom (map)

Here we come a-Wassailing!

Single ticket £19.50

See what’s included →

Gather after sundown and follow our Wassail Queen in a torchlit procession through time. We’ll be joined by the Prize Old Mummers, and Hook Eagle Morris will lead a merry dance.

We will call the guardians of our orchard, drive away those pesky spirits and wake the trees from their Winter sleep. Together, we will sing to the orchard and toast it with warming, spiced local cider.

Come make a hullabaloo in the Butser Orchard! Please bring something with you to make a fantastic clamour. Anything from proper instruments to pots and pans are all we need to make a racket and ensure a bountiful crop next year!

There will be a bar selling locally produced cider, mead and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot drinks and snacks will also be available to be purchased from our shop.

ABOUT THIS EVENT

  • Experience the old British custom of Wassailing – coming together to sing songs, bless, toast, and give thanks

  • Primarily aimed at adults but older children who would enjoy the event are also welcome

  • All profits will go to supporting the ongoing educational and research work of Butser Ancient Farm

This event takes inspiration from old British traditions and welcomes all comers.

Lanterns for Wassailing at Butser

INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET

Two hours of visiting the Farm after dark to process towards the Butser orchard. Meet the Wassail Queen, watch Hook Eagle Morris and The Prize Old Mummers perform, and join in with singing Wassailing songs.


USEFUL INFORMATION: Please wrap up warm as it can be chilly at the farm in Winter. This event will involve walking on uneven ground after the sun has gone down so, please choose sensible footwear! Please bring a torch as it may be dark returning to your car to the end of the event.

DRINKING VESSEL: Feel free to bring a drinking vessel that we can fill when you arrive with a hot, spiced cider!

TIMINGS: This special event starts at 7pm, so please arrive at 6.45pm. The event will finish at 9pm.

FIRES: Please note there will be open fires in the houses during this event.

CASH: There will be a cash bar at this event and the opportunity to buy hot drinks, snacks, and gifts in our shop.

ALCOHOL: No alcohol to be brought into the event.

REFUNDS: We cannot offer any refunds on tickets unless Butser Ancient Farm needs to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances.

SPECIAL EVENT: This event is not included as general admission for our annual pass holders.

COVID-19: We will be complying with any relevant Covid-19 government guidance in place at the time of the event including the latest guidance on mask wearing. If you have any Covid-19 symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate, please do not attend.

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