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Flaming Tar Barrels

OTTERY ST MARY

South Devon

5/5

Based on 1 review

17 wooden barrels are coated in tar, set alight and carted shoulder-high through the streets of the town. Yes, on fire. It's been a tradition since 1605-ish and probably started to brace the town for the imminent invasion of the Spanish Armada.

OTTERY ST MARY

Devon

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Reviews

Jan 2011

Amazing!

This really is a spectacular event. The atmosphere is electric as locals hurtle through the streets with the flaming barrels hoisted onto their backs. Thousands of people come to witness the tradition each year - if you don't like crowds, then this is probably not the event for you, but you can take refuge by the huge bonfire, which has to be one of the largest and most impressive in the South West, if not the country.

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