Somerset Carnivals

Booking accommodation early is advisable as most establishments tend to be fully booked during the carnival season, such is their popularity. Here is an extract from the carnival site:

“ The Somerset Carnivals are highly regarded as the largest illuminated procession in the world. They occur late on in the year at various locations including: Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Chard, Ilminster, Glastonbury, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Weston-Super-Mare, and Yeovil.

The carnivals in Somerset date back to 400 years, and are one of the most spectacular events in Somerset today.

In some of the bigger locations (such as Bridgwater), you can expect to see crowds of more than 120,000.

The carnival floats (or carts as they are sometimes referred to as), are designed and built by dedicated carnival clubs around the West Country. These carnival clubs have many members who raise money throughout the year, and work relentlessly to achieve the spectacular carnival entries. The carnival floats take part in the carnival parade along with other entries; these range from clowns dancing in the streets to 100ft illuminated carnival floats (some with up to 30,000 light bulbs) pulled by tractors.”