| Where: | Grantchester, Cambridgeshire on Coton road |
| When: | Boxing Day 26th December |
| Time: | 12 noon |
While most of the country is recovering from the excesses of the day before, the citizens of Grantchester in Cambridgeshire race around town with whisky barrels on Boxing Day. The course is 100 yards and teams of competitors must roll their large barrel up the course – this is made challenging by the shape of the barrels, which usually results in collisions and veering off-course. There are several races in the day including an inter-village event for the residents of Barton, Coton, Madingley and Grantchester, and teams from each of the local pubs take part. It’s a recently revived custom which has proved very popular over the last 10 years or so and is a real community event; spectators watch from behind straw bale barriers which line the course.
Helpful Hints
All proceeds go to a local charity (a different one each year) and a bucket collection takes place on the day. The races last for around an hour, during which Coton Road is closed off with straw bales (then most folks head for the pub of their choice).
Click here for the village website which has a page about the event: http://grantchester.org.uk
Is the barrel race taking place this Boxing Dat 2022? Haven’t found an update.
Hello,
It’s on the Blue Ball’s list of fixtures on the Facebook page for the village so I’m assuming it’s going ahead- I’ve messaged the page to double check and will let you know when I hear back. We went last year in pouring rain and high covid levels, so I’d say it takes a lot to put the good people of Grantchester off from holding it!
Best wishes,
Averil
Hello- yes it’s confirmed that the Barrel Race is on- 12 noon on Boxing Day. Enjoy!
Averil