Bonfire Night

DID you know that the UK’s oldest carnival dates back nearly 180 years – and has one of Europe’s biggest float processions?

Bridgwater Carnival first started in 1847, taking place on the first Saturday of November.

The carnival – which is free to attend – is a full-day celebration starting at 10.30am with circus performances, live bands, dances and fairground rides.

These will be held at spots across the town like the High Street, Cornhill Stage and at St Mary’s Church.

This part ends at 6pm, before the two-hour long procession then start.

Down the main streets are huge parades where locals can show off their illuminated floats and there will be marching bands too.

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The biggest FREE firework displays across England to go to this Bonfire Night

Afterwards, there’s a tradition called ‘squibbling’ where around 150 people line up along the roads carrying a long pole which holds a large firework.

All at once, these are set off with the fireworks lighting up the sky.

It’s expected that 150,000 people will descend on the town this year to see the celebrations.

One visitor who previously attended said: “All of the Somerset carnivals are magical, however Bridgwater is the largest and most spectacular. “

Another added: “I wish my own home town could put on such a display.”

While the event is free, it is encouraged to ask for donations as it’s run by volunteers.

The origin of the Bonfire Night celebrations in Bridgwater can be traced back to the year of the foiled Gunpowder plot in 1605.

Bridgwater celebrated heavily as most of its residents at the time were protestant.

However, it wasn’t until later on in 1847 when the celebrations turned into a carnival by the Victorians who even made their own squibs fireworks.

If you want something even grander to visit this weekend, the world’s largest bonfire night with 40,000 visitors is set to be even more popular this year and it starts tomorrow.

WHILE Guy Fawkes prepared to blow up King James I and his government with a deadly haul of explosives under the Houses of Parliament, a sprawling country estate 100 miles away was poised to become a crucial yet little-known part of the Gunpowder Plot.

James’ nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth lived at magnificent Coombe Abbey near Coventry and Fawkes’s co-conspirators had planned to kidnap her and install her on the throne as a puppet queen.

An anonymous letter rumbled the London end of the plan while, in Warwickshire, the plotters – led by Robert Catesby – abandoned the kidnapping on hearing about the failure.

To this day, the foiled plot is commemorated with fireworks and bonfires on November 5.

And Coombe Abbey is now a magnificent hotel worthy of its regal connections.

Built by Cistercian monks in 1150, it became the biggest abbey in Warwickshire before being seized during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

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Later it was sold to nobleman John Harington, who agreed to act as Elizabeth’s guardian, raising and educating her at his home.

In a rather peculiar twist four centuries later, Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington, a descendant of Catesby, played his ancestor in BBC One drama Gunpowder.

Guests arriving at the hotel nowadays pass over its ancient moat then enter through the original stone cloisters, where a pulpit still stands.

You can take a pew on an ornately carved throne-like chair, admire the hanging wall tapestries and marble busts or examine the tomb of murdered monk Abbot Geoffrey, whose cloaked figure is said to still roam.

Fittingly, our room for our night’s stay was The Princess Elizabeth, decked out in deep mulberries and glimmering golds and with an oak four-poster bed set upon a plinth.

Luxurious floor-to-ceiling curtains embossed with the same heraldic design as the wallpaper enhance the royal feel, while the bathroom with roll-top bath and golden taps also adds to the drama.

The hotel lies in 500 acres of parkland, set to host a mile-long light festive trail throughout December.

Little ones will love the Hermit’s Hollow play area and families can enjoy Go Ape adventures.

Nearby Coventry is full of medieval buildings and cobbled lanes.

The ruins of its 14th-century cathedral – bombed during World War Two – are preserved alongside a modern replacement, as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

Coventry Transport Museum is brimming with bikes and vehicles that have helped shape the world including ThrustSSC, the fastest-ever car.

Lesser known but eye-wateringly beautiful is St Mary’s Guildhall.

Built in the 1340s for traders and crafts people, it’s re-opened after a £6.2million refurbishment.

The Great Hall has hosted monarchs and its intricate stained glass windows and painted wood carvings in the roof are breathtaking.

There’s also a rare nine-metre tapestry from the early 1500s depicting Henry VI, who moved his royal court to Coventry, effectively making it England’s capital.

Uncovering another secret gem was the perfect end to a historic stay.

LOOKING to celebrate Bonfire Night with some incredible firework displays but without the price tag? Luckily there are plenty of free ones across the country.

The average November outing can cost UK families up to £30 and that’s without the hot chocolates, so here’s a handy list of the biggest celebrations that are completely free to enter.

Cambridge

For anyone near Cambridge, Midsummer Common is one of the largest free fireworks displays in the East of England.

On November 5, the evening will begin with a live DJ at 6pm – then to keep everyone entertained, there will be theatrical walkabout acts through the crowds.

These include giant caribou puppets and stilt walking jellyfish.

There will be food vendors on-site as well from 6pm until late.

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The firework ‘extravaganza’ will begin at 7pm. The event is completely free, but donations are encouraged.

Manchester

In Manchester, there are three free fireworks night celebrations hosted by the City Council all taking place on November 7 this year.

These will be at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park.

Each event will open at 3pm followed by interactive storytelling sessions for children.

At all the sites will be two lots of fireworks, the first will be reduced noise fireworks at 5pm.

There will be a lantern parade at 7pm and around the site is a food and drink village, family-friendly entertainment and activities as well as funfair rides.

The second firework display will be at 8pm set to music.

Watford

Hertfordshire’s biggest display is the Cassiobury Park Fireworks in Watford on November 7.

It kicks off at 6pm with entertainment on the main stage by Vibe 107.6FM followed by a local band.

Dotted about will be food and drink outlets along with activities for kids including bungee trampolines and a bouncy slide.

The fireworks display will start at 7.30pm.

Plymouth

For anyone in the south west, Plymouth will hold a large Bonfire Night celebration on November 5.

It’s popular with around 20,000 people flocking to The Hoe for its huge bonfire next to Smeaton’s Tower and 15-minute firework display over the Citadel.

Food stalls will open on Plymouth Hoe from 4pm until late.

The bonfire will start at 7pm in the evening with the fireworks starting at 7.30pm.

These are completely free to attend, but for anyone who heads up to the promenade for the rides – there will be a small fee to go on them.

Norfolk

Fawkes in the Walks is one of the biggest firework displays in Norfolk.

This year it will take place on November 6 at The Walks in King’s Lynn.

Kicking off at 6pm it will have live music, food and drink stalls and a funfair which will keep everyone occupied before the main event.

The fireworks kick off at 8pm alongside live music from DJ Mark Purdy and Vex.

The event is completely free but donations are encouraged.

London

In London anyone on a budget can usually get a good view of fireworks for free from vantage points like Primrose or Parliament Hill.

However, if you want to go to an actual event, Coram’s Fields is one of London’s free community displays.

Gates open at 3.30pm with performances by local youth groups beginning at 4.15pm – this is also when the fun fair rides and food stalls will first open.

The 18-minute long firework display will begin at 6pm.

General entry to the display is on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to the park’s capacity.

It’s also worth noting that as Coram’s Fields is a children’s park, adults may can only attend the event when accompanied by a child.

East Sussex

For a slightly unusual Bonfire Night, Lewes in East Sussex holds the biggest celebration in the country.

Every year on November 5, six different bonfire societies each hold their own procession and firework displays through the town.

The majority of the event is completely free, like the bonfire at Commercial Square and the torchlit parades.

Entry to the individual society firework and bonfire sites requires a paid ticket – but they will be free to watch from the public-accessible areas along the routes.

This year, the processions start at around 5pm and will arrive at the individual bonfire at around 9.45pm with fireworks displays finishing around 11pm.

BONFIRE Night is on the horizon, and the biggest celebration in the WORLD is right here in the UK.

Lewes will hold its annual event in a matter of weeks and not only is it free to visit but it will be busier than ever.

Thousands of Brits descend on the town in East Sussex which has been holding bonfire events since 1795.

However, it isn’t the usual firework display followed by hot chocolates – this one is the world’s biggest with torchlit processions and giant effigies.

The event marks both Guy Fawkes Night and the memory of 17 martyrs from the town who were burnt at the stake.

Every year, six different bonfire societies each hold their own procession and firework displays.

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In 2024, it was recorded that 40,000 people were in attendance.

The event is predicted to be even busier this year because it falls nearer the weekend on Thursday, November 5.

The majority of the event is completely free, like the bonfire at Commercial Square – but visitors will need to pay to watch at others.

This year, the processions start at around 5pm and will arrive at the individual bonfire at around 9.45pm with fireworks displays finishing around 11pm.

Travel Writer, Hope Brotherton, who has previously attended told visitors to “be prepared”.

She said: “In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to attend Lewes Bonfire because a handful of my friends are from the Sussex town.”

“Because the town’s streets and alleyways are rather narrow, the High Street in Lewes is one of the best, and safest, places to watch the torch-lit procession.

“The processions can often be very loud because of the drums that accompany each of the societies. But the noise is all part of the electric atmosphere, as are the effigies.

“If you do want a drink in a pub, be sure to head there in the early afternoon. Several of the bonfire societies base themselves in local pubs too, which means they can be busier than usual.”

On the day of the event there will be limited rail services – trains will not stop at Lewes from 5pm until the start of the service the next day.

There will also be road closures around and in the town due to the procession and predicted number of attendees.

It’s so popular that those wanting to visit are encouraged to book hotels a year in advance.

On Booking.com there’s a one-night stay available from November 5-6, 2027 from £75 per night (for two people).

Unlike many other firework and bonfire events around the UK, the one in Lewes is not suitable for children or young families as officials warn it can be ‘overwhelming’.

Despite this, lots of visitors often rave about the event calling it an “amazing experience”.

One wrote on Tripadvisor: “The energy is superb, the friendliness of everyone involved, and a feeling of excitement throughout makes this such a memorable night out.

“Everyone should come to Lewes on November 5th at least once, you will never find a night like this anywhere else in the world.”