| Where: | Wellow, Nottinghamshire at the Maypole on Maypole Green |
| When: | Spring Bank Holiday Monday |
| Time: | From 12 noon with Crowning at 2.45 |
The permanent 60-foot Maypole at Wellow is one of the tallest in the UK and is the focus for the Spring Bank Holiday revelry in the village. The May Queen and her white-frocked Maids of Honour process around the village accompanied by attendants such as Herald, Bugle Blower, Train and Posy Bearers and Crown and Bouquet Bearers. The procession starts at the Church and is followed by the Coronation of the May Queen by the retiring Queen from the previous year. The new Queen then presides in state over ribbon dancing around the maypole interspersed with mayhem from Wellow Jack and his team of Bogies. Records for the event go back to the nineteenth century and it has evolved into one of the biggest single day festivals of its kind. Expect plenty of musical entertainment, Punch and Judy, displays, stalls and lots more – in 2014 we were treated to dancing dogs and a Spitfire flypast!.
Helpful Hints
The event is free of charge, with plenty of free parking nearby – just follow the signs. Seating is provided around the maypole area. All are welcome and plentiful food & drink are available on site including some very tasty icecreams.
Look out for the Millennium Window in St Swithin’s Church which features the Maypole.
In 2025 Maypole Day should be Monday 26th May.
Click here for the event Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellow-Maypole-Celebrations/367751373318701
Many thanks to Joy Allison for her fantastic photos!
I have never seen maypole dancing before and don’t know anyone who has ever done any. Wellow isn’t too far from where I live and i did have the day off…..
I had a lovely afternoon. I got to the village just before 12.The village roads are coned off but free parking is available at Wellow school and in the field opposite. The village green is only a few hundred yards from the school but main road must be crossed as there is no pavement on one side.
Wellow is a pretty village with pubs and houses surrounding the triangular green.
The maypole is HUGE! seating is provided around the green and a stage for entertainers and the may queen ceremony.
there is something for everyone, including hot food stalls, flowers,vintage and veteran cars,kids’ rides (modern inflated slides and restored swing boats) birds of prey, Punch and Judy,dancing dogs and Lonnie Donegan impersonators, Morris dancing teams and craft stalls.
It was very busy and I was surprised at the number of people there. As usual I spent a fortune.
The ceremony for the may queen is in several parts but a programme is available so that you don’t miss bits of it. I now know a lot more about maypole dancing than I did before and I would definatly go again. Suitable for all ages.
Hi. It’s leakyroof creations. I’ve done wellow may pole for eight years now. Is there still craft stalls as I have normaly had my invite by now. Could you let me know either way plz. Pete and sandy as past all my information on. Contact me be e mail phillprce2010@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01623847821. Thankyou.
Hi Phil and Mandy,
Your message has come to calendarcustoms not the organisers at Wellow – follow this link to their Facebook page and they should be able to help: https://www.facebook.com/WellowMaypoleCelebrations/
Best wishes,
Averil
I live in the new forest but visit friend at Kneesall a few times a year. Had always wanted to see the wellow maypole and that dream came true today March 2022. I loved it! I will be back to see the dancing in may 2023! Fab
It’s a great day out Louise – you’ll love it!