| Where: | Thaxted, Essex & surrounding villages |
| When: | Weekend after Spring Bank Holiday (so usually first weekend in June) |
| Time: | Tours from 9.30, Procession at 5.45pm, Horn Dance 10.15; Sunday 9.30 Procession to church followed by 10am service, dancing from 11.30 |
Thaxted Morrismen are a well established side who annually host one of the biggest events in the Morris calendar, which involves the teams touring the surrounding villages and performing in the town itself. Their Morris Meeting attracts participants from all over the country and beyond over the whole weekend – expect sword dancers, mummers, musicians, folk plays and processions as well as morris dancing in the Cotswold tradition. The climax of the event is the horn dance which rounds the day off on Saturday at 10.15 – this is rather special. There are further dances and processions on the Sunday as well as a dedicated church service.
Helpful Hints
Look out for the exhibition about morris in the church.
In 2026 it should be on Friday 29th May, Saturday 30th May and Sunday 31st May.
Follow the website link below and choose Weekend of Dance from the options on the homepage, where you’ll find a list of approximate timings and locations, and a map.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thaxtedmorrismen/
Click here for the website : https://www.thaxtedmorris.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0vVmPTUt949VnUDEJ8Wz_0rgWBsmr7IK3mA-L2cB7jJzNSZKQJoAyE4h4_aem_3FN1pz0r_rix601KlLxQbg
Wanted to see the Morris men but unable to ascertain where they were at what time on their ” tour” taking place on 3rd and 4th June 2017 Just states Thaxted Essex and surrounding villages ! Yes but what villages and approximately when? No one seemed to know apart from The Vine at Great Bardfield who told us they were there at 3.45 pm which was too late for us. A timetable would have been helpful. Checked out their website as well – nothing. Went home in the end. 🙁
Hi Jan,
Sorry to hear you didn’t catch up with them! On their own website, if you click the Ring Meeting tab on the homepage there is a list of what times and locations they are due to appear at, with a map – this is variable from year to year so I haven’t put all the different times and locations on calendarcustoms, as it’s probably safer to use the group’s own site which will include any changes right up to the last minute. I’ve added instructions to my webpage to help people find the information, so thanks for getting in touch about it.You still have tomorrow to find them at Thaxted around the church service!
Best wishes,
Averil
Jan is absolutely right. Most of the information on these pages is out of date. The rest is unhelpful or useless. No wonder these events are sparsely attended
Hi John,
I fully expect that the details of their June weekend will appear in due course, though it’s getting near for planning well ahead. Also check their Facebook page for updates (there’s a link to it on their website) and maybe message them ( it may prompt them to do this years update!)
Best wishes
Averil
Yes, I expect it will appear after the event. Only 3 weeks to go, it’s an arrogant and dismissive way to treat people planning visits
We often find that multi-venue tours are only confirmed quite close to the event- partly because they’re complicated to arrange. What we usually do is base our plans on the previous years schedule but leave some flexibility for changes,and we usually manage to get to the right place at the right time. It’s particularly common with Morris groups and mummers!
Best wishes
Averil
Hi John,
The Thaxted website has been updated with all this year’s information – thought I’d let you know in case I spotted it first!
Best wishes,
Averil