| Where: | Totnes, Devon on the High Street & Fore Street |
| When: | A Thursday or Tuesday in mid to late August (usually 3rd Tuesday in the month) |
| Time: | 11am |
The Totnes Elizabethan Society organise the Orange Races in commemoration of Sir Francis Drake ; legend has it that the old sea-dog dropped his basket of oranges on Fore Street and the locals chased them down the slope. Competitors must kick or throw their fruit along the 450 metre course from the Market Square but can’t pick it up and carry it; at least part of the orange must be intact by the finish and there may be disputes over whose is whose! Races are arranged by age group with trophies for winners and runners-up. The youngest children race on the flat and end at the market whereas the other competitors begin at that point and race all the way down the hill to the Seven Stars Hotel. Following the races there’s a brief charity auction and then the prizes are handed out. All are welcome and there’s a great atmosphere.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it’s sadly cancelled again due to funding issues. It will hopefully return in 2025- date yet to be announced.
If you see the entry on Dartmouth Tourist Information’s site about this event, they’ve used my text (not the other way round) without accreditation. I really don’t object but didn’t want readers to think I copy text from other sites.
It’s steep! Entrants must register between 10 & 11 am on the day and the series of races follow until around 12.30.
The Elizabethan Market is held simultaneously with plenty of goods and entertainments on offer and Totnes has a very wide variety of attractive shops and eating places.
In 2016, not that long beforehand,I was given the wrong date by the local Tourist Information office- you have been warned!!. The date here should be reliable as it comes from the Elizabethan Society who organise the event.
Click here for the event page on Visit Totnes: https://www.visittotnes.co.uk/whats-on/orange-races/
Click here for the Elizabethan Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/totneselizabethansociety/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Click here to find out more : http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/site/festivals-and-events/orange-rolling-in-totnes-p456563
i attended and took part in the 2014 orange rolling, great fun with different races for 3 year old + to 60+ year olds. great weather, good atmosphere, and lots of laughter.
Thanks Roger! We were there too and thoroughly enjoyed it. Look out for yourself when I add my photos to the website next week!
Best wishes,
Averil
I thought the oranges were in honour of William of Orange, who passed through the town on his way to London.
I think the Elizabethan Society, who organise the races,prefer the tie-in with Sir Francis Drake!
Hi Averil Ive just researched this for a trip down there. It appears to be the 23rd check the link might be worth checking good to see you the other week. http://www.totnesinformation.co.uk/events/9524/totnes-orange-race
Thanks Ross – I rang the local Tourist Information office for the date weeks ago and it appears I was given the wrong one (how helpful!) so well spotted – followed your link and did some digging around and it does indeed appear to be on 23rd as the Council have a road closure for it on that date.