| Where: | Oxford at Corpus Christi College in the College Garden |
| When: | Sunday in late May/early June |
| Time: | Fair 12 noon - 5pm, Race 3pm |
The annual Tortoise Fair at Corpus Christi College is an ever more popular event in the local calendar, the highlight of which is the hotly contested Tortoise Race. Several colleges in Oxford have their own Tortoise pets and keepers, and the race is their chance to prove their mettle against their rivals. The races date back some forty years or so, and many of the competitors return year after year, as the life of the average tortoise is a long one. The racers and their attendants assemble in the centre of a hastily formed large circle of lettuce, facing outwards with the aim of racing from the middle to the edge, and of course the fastest reptile takes the prize – it follows a similar pattern but on a larger scale to snail racing events. As well as the racing, there are other entertainments, music and refreshments and the money raised goes towards charitable causes.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Sunday May 26th- 2025 date is yet to be confirmed. Tickets are £5 and usually go on sale about a month in advance- it’s usually a sell-out so when it’s announced, get your tickets in plenty of time.
It’s usually on the 6th Sunday of the Trinity Term; term dates always begin on a Sunday meaning that with the starting Sunday as Sunday number 1, the Tortoise Fair follows on Sunday 6, which is exactly 5 weeks after Sunday 1. Follow the links for info on how to purchase tickets.
Click here for tickets: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092414466449
Click here for the resident Corpus Christi Tortoise Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CorpusTortoise/
Click here for the College: http://www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/Home/
Thanks to Ross Parish for drawing my attention to this one!
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