| Where: | Thornborough, North Yorkshire at the Thornborough Henge (best approach from West Tanfield) |
| When: | Sunday of May Day Bank Holiday weekend |
| Time: | Opening ceremony at noon, Closing Ritual 7pm, Fire 8pm (times are approximate!) |
The coming of spring is an important landmark in the pagan calendar, and the festival held each year at the prehistoric site of Thornborough Henge celebrates the turning of the season in a revival of ancient custom. The Henge consists of mysterious earthwork circles constructed around five thousand years ago, whose purpose remains unknown. Expect mummers, talks, workshops and therapies with New Age or Pagan themes, dancing, drumming and music through the afternoon with the closing ritual at around 7pm. Beltane is traditionally a fire festival and the focus of the evenings entertainment is percussion at the communal bonfire from around 8pm.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Sunday 4th May (follow links below for full details). Other than the opening ceremony and fires, entertainment and activities are fairly ad hoc, with a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere and lots of visitors who return year-on-year, and many making a full weekend of it.
All are welcome and admission for day visitors is free of charge. For those who want to make a weekend of it, camping is available around the henge but you need to arrange this in advance as space is limited (see website link). The best approach to the site is from the village of West Tanfield which avoids all traffic passing through the narrow road in Thornborough village.
Click here for the event website : http://www.celebratebeltane.co.uk
and here for the Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/celebratebeltane
and https://www.facebook.com/groups/633967029962173
View this location on the map.
how do i book camping for this years event…2015?
Hi Susan,
If you’re on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/celebratebeltane to get in touch with the the organisers – there’s a new coordinator stepping in for the next event so arrangements might be different for booking in 2015. The event website at http://www.celebratebeltane.co.uk also has contact forms so you can get in touch with them that way, but it hasn’t been updated for next year yet. Hope you get booked in plenty of time!
Averil