Horndon-on-the-Hill Buns

Every Good Friday the Bell at Horndon on the Hill hosts a Bun Hanging event. It’s less well-known than the similar Widows Bun in London (see separate article) but it’s been going on for generations and takes place each year, when an honoured local attaches the hot cross bun to the beam to join over 100 predecessors. Unlike the Widows Bun, there isn’t a tragic legend behind the custom – just the story of a cunning landlord luring customers to his hostelry with free hot cross buns well over a century ago! There are buns made of concrete and wood as well as the rather tastier dough type and hundreds of (fresh and delicious!) buns are distributed amongst the crowd after the ceremony for everyone to enjoy. If you can’t get to the ceremony, you can see the buns hanging in the bar all year round.

Helpful Hints

In 2025 Good Friday is on Friday 18th April.

In the past it was at 1pm but don’t leave it until then or you’ll miss it! The Bell is a lovely pub with a friendly atmosphere so you might want to linger…

Click here for the Bell website : http://www.bell-inn.co.uk

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bellinnhorndon