Coldstream Common Riding to Flodden Battlefield

Where: Coldstream, Borders starting at Lees Mill then to Flodden Battlefield at Branxton and back to Tweed Green in Coldstream
When: Thursday of 1st full week in August
Time: Start at 10am, Flodden Cross at Noon, back in town 5pm for Abbey Ceremony at 5.45

 

Coldstream Civic Week is a traditional borders celebration dating back to the 1950s. As well as sports, parades and fireworks, the festival is a commemorative event and the highlight of the week is the Thursday Rideout to Flodden Battlefield, about 4 miles away. The battle was fought between the forces of England’s King Henry VIII and Scotland’s James IV; the Scots king was slain in the battle. The cavalcade of around 300 equestrians is led by the Coldstreamer with his flag; wreaths are laid at the cross and there is a short service in memory of the fallen accompanied by a piper. Following this, an oration is delivered on Flodden Hill nearby and a turf is cut which returns with the cavalcade for the Abbey Ceremony at 5.45.

Helpful Hints

In 2024 it should be on Thursday 8th August (to be confirmed) with other events on the days preceding and succeeding it-check the Facebook page below for details.

Parking opportunities at Flodden Battlefield are limited so try to arrive in plenty of time. There is only a footpath to the Cross so the horses don’t go right up to it but are left waiting in the carpark.

Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/coldstreamridersassociation/

Click here for the event website with full details of times, routes etc: http://www.coldstreamcivicweek.com/

View this location on the map.