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As well as being the birthplace of iconic sports such as rugby, cricket and golf, the UK is home to a fascinating array of unconventional athletic pursuits. As we head into a summer of sports featuring the Euros and the world’s biggest sporting event, you might be inspired to get involved in new activities.
From quaint village traditions to adrenaline-fueled competitions, South Western Railway has curated a comprehensive list of the UK and South West’s most extraordinary sporting events. Through extensive desk research and search data, we’ve shed light on some of the unique sporting events that put the UK on the map.
So, whether you’re seeking a quirky diversion or a chance to witness remarkable feats, read on to discover the captivating stories behind these unique athletic endeavours.
The sporting oddities of the South West
So we’ve seen the quirkiest sports across the UK, but what does the South West have to offer? From worm charming to nettle eating, explore four of the South West’s most unique and mindboggling sports.
Worm Charming – Across the South West
This may sound like something from a fairytale, but worm charming is an actual competitive sport, and is big across the South West! With TikToks of the events in Falmouth and Devon going viral, searches have increased for the term ‘worm charming’ by 631% in the last three months.
So, how do you charm a worm? Participants are given 30 minutes to use vibrations to entice worms to come up to the surface of a 3m-by-3m plot of land. Awards are given out for the most worms charmed, the most inventive worm charming technique and the longest worm.
World Nettle Eating Championships - Bridport, Dorset
Established in the 1980s, the World Nettle Eating Championships take place annually in Dorset. Participants compete to consume the most stinging nettle leaves within an hour. Once the hour is up, the total length of nettle stalks is counted. The King or Queen of Nettles is whoever eats the longest length of nettles. With a 200% increase in the search term ‘nettle eating’ over the last three months, it seems that more and more of us are curious about trying these prickly leaves
This quirky event isn’t just about nettles; it’s a full-blown celebration! Live music and food stalls (nettle-free), and local ciders and beers are all on offer for competitors and spectators alike.
How to get there: The nearest station is Crewkerne, with the Dorset Nectar Orchard, where the event takes place, being a 25-minute taxi ride away.
Knob Throwing - Dorchester, Dorset
The humble “Knob” is a hard, dry, and savoury biscuit with the consistency of dry, stale bread. The Moores family has made these spherical biscuits in Dorset for over 150 years and are now celebrating annually in the Knob Throwing Games. Participants compete to hurl these crunchy delights as far as they can across a field, underarm. The furthest-thrown knob wins.
The event has grown beyond mere biscuit-tossing, embracing an array of knob-themed activities.
How to get there: The nearest station to the Cattistock Countryside Show is Maiden Newton Station, with the show grounds being a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride.
The Tar Barrels of Ottery St. Mary – Ottery St. Mary, East Devon
The quaint village of Ottery St. Mary, every November 5th, becomes packed with hundreds of spectators ready to watch villagers race blazing barrels of tar through the narrow streets. The Tar Barrels of Ottery St. Mary date back centuries, and although its precise origins are unknown, it’s thought to have started after the failed gunpowder plot in 1605.
The Tar Barrell carnival also includes a Guy Fawkes bonfire, a mini fairground, and stalls selling festive food and warming drinks.
How to get there: The nearest station to the event is Whimple, with Ottery St Mary being an 11-minute taxi journey.
Surbiton Ski Sunday
If you thought skiing was reserved for the wealthy in places like Chamonix or Val d’lsere then think on. Surbiton Ski Sunday is a free event where participants can ski down St Mark’s Hill with blocks of ice strapped to their feet. Attendees are encouraged to come in costumes of their choice. Following the event, everyone can gather at The Kings Soup in Claremont Gardens for live music until 4:30 PM, a play, and a warming community-made soup. This also hosted by one of our community rail partners that foster community spirt and charity across the South West.
How to get there: The nearest station is Surbiton, a 2-minute walk away.
The sporting oddities of the UK
Cooper Hill Cheese Rolling - Brockworth, nr.Gloucestershire
Throwing caution to the wind, cheese lovers from around the world descend on Cooper’s Hill every year to take part in the iconic cheese rolling. Believed to be over 600 years old, the event takes place on the spring Bank Holiday, or the last Monday in May, and sees participants speed down a 200-yard hill to chase a wheel of double Gloucester Cheese.
Despite its innocent name, this event isn’t for the faint-hearted. Many of those who compete leave with sprains, broken bones, and concussions in their attempts to catch the high-speed cheese.
The UK’s Wife Carrying Championships - Dorking, Surrey
Originating in Finland and believed to date all the way back to around 790AD, wife-carrying was reintroduced into the UK in 2008. Although you don’t have to be married to participate, competitors must couple up, one carrying the other, to scramble across a 380-meter course to win a coveted Wife Carrying Championship medal and barrel of ale.
Held annually at the Nower, a serene nature reserve on the edge of Dorking, Surrey, the rolling countryside provides a stunning backdrop for this unconventional race.
World Gravy Wrestling Championships – Stacksteads, Lancashire
Wrestling in gravy – is there anything more British? Held at the Rose ‘n’ Bowl Pub in Stackstead, participants dive into a 16-foot pool of Lancashire gravy, wrestling for two minutes, with the aim of impressing both judges and spectators through fancy dress, creative moves and comedic flair.
World Conker Championship - Southwick, Northamptonshire
Every Autumn, the World Conker Championships take place in Northamptonshire and give this traditional playground game a bit more edge. At the heart of this tournament lies the small but mighty conker. Each contender takes turns swinging their conker, attached to a string, aiming to strike their opponent’s conker. The last conker standing wins—a true chestnut champion.
In addition to putting skill, aim and chestnut strength to the test, the event aims to raise money for charities that support the visually impaired. Since 1965, they’ve raised £420,000 for these charities–all through clashing conkers!
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race - Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Although it’s held in a quaint countryside town, the Knaresborough Bed Race is anything but a snooze fest. This annual event sees teams in fancy dress push decorated beds along a 2.4-mile course through the North Yorkshire town, finishing with a 20-meter river crossing.
Winners of the race parade through the town and go home knowing that they have the speediest bed in the North. The event raises significant funds for local charities and community projects, supported by Harrogate Borough Council and the local community.
Bog Snorkelling - Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales
Heading over to the peat bogs of Mid Wales, athletes face a unique test of skill and endurance. Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, competitors from around the globe flock to Llanwrtyd Wells for bog snorkelling. Armed with a snorkel (and potentially a fancy dress costume), competitors either take part in the gruelling Bog Triathlon (an 8-mile run, followed by a 12-mile mountain bike ride and a length of the 60-yard bog trench) or a shorter version for the less hardened competitors.< /p>
Whether you want to get down and dirty or watch others get bogged down, it’s not one to miss, with Lonely Planet labelling the event as one of the world’s top 50 must-do experiences.
World Tin Bath Race Championship - Castletown Harbour, Isle Of Man
Every year, the picturesque Middle Harbour in Castletown, Isle of Man, transforms into a whimsical racecourse for the World Tin Bath Championships. Participants race around the harbour in (strictly regulated) tin baths, some of which might be less seaworthy than others.
Organised by the Castletown Real Ale Drinkers Society since 1971, this quirky event isn’t just about speed—it’s about creativity, camaraderie, and raising funds for local charities. Over 100 brave souls from around the world attempt the 400-meter course, their makeshift vessels bobbing and splashing as they vie for the coveted title of tin bath champion.
Welly Wanging - Upperthong Village, West Yorkshire
Originating in the West Country during the 1970s, this unique event involves flinging Wellington boots (or “wellies”) as far as humanly possible. Why wellies, you ask? Well, these rubbery rain boots are abundant, practical and utterly British. The winner is the one whose boot soars the farthest.
The sport has evolved past a quirky village affair, with associations like the International Boot Throwing Association and the World Welly Wanging Association overseeing rules, regulations and records for this whimsical sport.
World Pooh Stick Championships; Sandford-On-Thames, Oxfordshire
Inspired by A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories, this annual event of the World Pooh Stick Championships captures the essence of childhood wonder. Participants gather to drop their sticks from the upstream side of the bridge and watch as the current takes them downstream. The stick that emerges first on the downstream side is declared the winner.
As well as being wholesome and family-friendly, the event raises funds for charities in the local area.
Haxey Hood - Isle of Axholme, Lincolnshire
Said to be one of England’s oldest traditions, this rugby-style game dates to the 14th century, when Lady de Mowbray, the wife of a local landowner, silk riding hood was blown off in the wind when on her way towards Westwoodside from Haxey. Lady de Mowbray was so amused by the farm workers chasing her hood across fields to return it to her that she insisted it become an annual event.
And it still is! Crowds from the villages of Haxey and Westwoodside in North Lincolnshire pile in to push a leather tube - the hood - towards their favourite local pub.
Feeling inspired to give some sports a go? Plan your perfect day out now and cut the cost of your travel by booking train tickets in advance and using off-peak services.
If more low-key sports are your thing, the southwest has some beautiful trail walking spots or even give wild swimming a try. More of a spectator than a partaker? You can always watch this summer's biggest sporting events from a variety of locations across London.
Be sure to check if you’re eligible for railcards and discounts. Those travelling in a group can book together using our GroupSave tickets .
Methodology
We conducted in-depth desk research from sources such as Reddit, Google and various UK news outlets to create a seed list of unique sporting activities that take place across the UK.
Keyword search statistics were obtained using Google Keyword Planner from May 2024.
