We’ve been lucky enough to live within walking distance of Ottery St Mary, so we’ve seen the Tar Barrels many times over the years, though these days, the fast rides at the fair, while still tempting, are probably best left to others. If you only visit one Bonfire Night event in Devon, make it this one, because every 5 November the town erupts into one of Britain’s most unusual and thrilling traditions.
As late afternoon turns to evening, the narrow streets fill with smoke, noise and anticipation as locals hoist flaming barrels of tar onto their shoulders and charge through the crowd. It’s wild, exciting and steeped in history, one of the most extraordinary and unusual things to do in Devon, and a fiery spectacle that genuinely has to be seen to be believed.
The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels are more than just a Bonfire Night event. They’re a long-standing community tradition, passed down through local families for generations. Each year, the town’s barrel rollers carry flaming barrels through packed streets as thousands of people watch. It’s an event that belongs entirely to Ottery, shaped by local pride, teamwork, and a strong sense of community, which is great to see.
Visitors come from across the UK and beyond to experience the firelit chaos. A mixture of medieval ritual, carnival atmosphere, and personal courage. Whether you’re coming for the first time or returning, the 2026 Tar Barrels promise another unforgettable night.
The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels – At a Glance
Date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Location: Ottery St Mary, East Devon, England
Main barrel rolling times:
Children’s barrels from around 4pm
Women’s, men’s and youths’ barrels from 7pm
The “Gurt Big Un” (final large barrel) around midnight
Bonfire: Evening of 5 November, usually lit around 6.30pm but timings can vary
Parking: Designated car parks and park-and-ride services (details below)
Entry: Free, no tickets required – however, buying an official souvenir programme or merchandise helps support the event, and donations are always appreciated.
Website: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels Official Site
Please note: Event organisers themselves stress that the Tar Barrels are not suitable for small children, pushchairs or anyone with limited mobility, as barrels move quickly through very crowded streets. Always check the official event website for the latest updates, timings and safety information before travelling.
A Unique Devon Tradition
The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels are one of Britain’s oldest surviving folk customs, believed to date back several hundred years. Though no official records pinpoint the exact origin, it’s thought to be linked to ancient fire festivals and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Like many November customs, it combines religious symbolism, local tradition and a fascination with fire!
Fire has always been a feature of British midwinter rituals, said to symbolise purification and the turning of the seasons. Over time, Ottery’s fiery celebrations evolved into the extraordinary spectacle we see today, where barrels soaked in tar are set alight and carried through the streets.
The Story Behind the Flames
Much of the story behind Ottery’s flaming barrels is rooted in old fire customs, local folklore and community celebration. The tradition is believed to date back to the early 1600s and is most likely connected to the national commemorations of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Early descriptions refer to torchlit processions in the West Country and burning barrels in town streets, and in Ottery the custom evolved so that barrels were carried by locals rather than simply rolled.
In Ottery, as in other towns, the celebrations grew into noisy public gatherings. Effigies of unpopular figures were burnt, fireworks were fired, and tar barrels became part of the night’s custom.
By the 19th century, the event was firmly established. The barrels were rolled and later carried through the streets, a spectacle that attracted visitors and, occasionally, controversy.
One notable event, remembered locally as The Ottery Riot of 1858, began when an overzealous police officer tried to stop the celebrations, deeming them too unruly. Locals resisted, but the barrels were lit anyway, and a near-riot broke out on the Flexton. The police eventually withdrew, and Ottery’s tar barrel independence was firmly asserted.
The Gunpowder Plot and the Origins of Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, dates back to 1605 when a group of English Catholics, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in what became known as the Gunpowder Plot. The plan aimed to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. The plot failed when Fawkes was discovered guarding barrels of gunpowder beneath Parliament on the night of 4 November.
In the aftermath, people across England lit bonfires in celebration of the King’s survival, and Parliament soon passed the Observance of 5th November Act, making it an annual day of thanksgiving. Over the centuries, the day evolved from a formal religious observance into a popular community celebration, marked by fireworks, effigies and bonfires.
Preparing the Barrels – A Year-Long Tradition
The barrels themselves are at the heart of the event. Once used for tar, now cider barrels, they are now specially prepared throughout the year by the Tar Barrel Committee. Each barrel is coated with layers of tar, allowing it to ignite evenly and burn brightly without quicky falling apart.
This careful preparation, known as “tarring”, takes place months in advance and is said to be as social as it is practical!
Every year, barrels are prepared in different sizes for boys, girls, teenagers, men and women. The biggest and heaviest, the “Gurt Big Un” closes the night in a blaze of heat and light near midnight.
The “Gurt Big Un”
The “Gurt Big Un” is the nickname for the midnight barrel at the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels. “Gurt” is a traditional West Country word meaning “big”, and this final barrel is the largest and most dramatic of the night. Rolled through the streets by experienced barrel carriers, it brings the event to its fiery climax and marks the end of Ottery’s famous Bonfire Night celebrations.
The Day of the Barrels
Festivities begin early on the morning of 5 November with the firing of the “cannons” – hand-held devices that create booming explosions at dawn, signalling the day’s arrival. Around 5.30 am the sound echoes through the town, serving as an unmistakable wake-up call for Ottery residents.
The daytime carnival atmosphere builds as visitors arrive and the streets fill. From around 4 pm, the children’s barrels are lit and rolled through designated areas of the town.
These smaller barrels carried by both boys and girls are an introduction to the tradition and a proud moment for local families.
As darkness falls, the barrels get bigger. Teenagers and women take their turn before the men’s barrels begin from around 7 pm. Each barrel begins outside one of Ottery’s pubs or inns, where its runner hoists it onto their shoulders and carries it through the cheering crowd.
The evening builds to a dramatic finale around midnight with the lighting of the final “Gurt Big Un” – the largest and most spectacular barrel of them all.
Because the action moves quickly from one barrel to the next, we recommend buying an official programme from the organisers. It includes a map and timetable, helping you follow the routes and make the most of the night.
Bonfire & Fair
The town fair usually opens between 5 and 5.30 pm near St Saviour’s Meadow and the road bridge over the River Otter, with rides and food stalls welcoming the first visitors. Shortly before 6.30 pm, a flaming barrel is carried in a dramatic procession through the streets to light the bonfire.
It’s a huge bonfire that burns brightly into the night, creating a dramatic backdrop to the fair.
When is Ottery St Mary Carnival
Ottery St Mary Carnival, once part of the town’s Bonfire Night celebrations, now takes place separately from the Tar Barrels event. In earlier years, the illuminated procession and the fiery barrel rolling both formed part of the same November festivities, but as the Tar Barrels grew in scale and popularity, organisers decided to hold the carnival on a different date for safety and logistical reasons. Today, the carnival usually lights up the streets in late October or early November as part of the East Devon carnival circuit, featuring decorated floats, costumes and music, while the Tar Barrels continue to dominate 5 November with their own long-standing, centuries-old tradition.
We will. update the 2026 Ottery St Mary Carnival date as soon as it becomes available.
Food and Drink at the Tar Barrels
Aside from the tar barrels, bonfire and fair, a growing part of the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels is the lively street food scene that springs up around the event. As evening falls, food trucks line the streets, especially along Mill Street, serving everything from burgers and chips to hog roasts, hot dogs, and sweet treats.
Local cafés and restaurants also set up pop-up stands outside their premises, offering hot drinks, curries, pastries, and more to the passing crowds. The town’s pubs are central to the celebration too, staying open late and serving customers both inside and out. Beer and cider are sold in the streets (plastic cups only for safety), adding to the unique West Country feel.
Sustainability and Community Spirit
In recent years, Ottery St Mary’s Tar Barrels has shown that ancient traditions can adapt to modern values. Since 2018, the introduction of the Ottery Tar Barrels reusable cup has helped cut single-use plastic across the event. Available in half, pint and two-pint sizes, the sturdy cups have become both practical keepsakes and a visible symbol of sustainability. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cups back each year or hand them to stewards for reuse, helping ensure that all profits support the funding and upkeep of the Tar Barrels tradition.
Behind the flames and noise lies a deep sense of local pride. Volunteers organise the entire event, from preparing the barrels to keeping the crowds safe on the night. Many families have been involved for generations, and children often grow up dreaming of one day becoming barrel rollers themselves.
Every roller earns their place through years of experience and respect for the custom. Only those from Ottery carry the barrels, preserving the event’s authenticity. Yet, visitors from across Britain and beyond are warmly welcomed to watch, cheer and take part in the celebration’s unique atmosphere.
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Where is Ottery St Mary?
Ottery St Mary is a historic market town in East Devon, best known for its beautiful parish church, riverside walks and long-standing local traditions such as Pixie Day and the famous Tar Barrels. The town sits in the valley of the River Otter, surrounded by rolling Devon countryside.
To learn more about the town’s history, attractions and places to visit, see our complete Ottery St Mary Travel Guide.
Getting there
By Car:
Ottery St Mary lies just off the A30, about 12 miles east of Exeter and 5 miles west of Honiton. From Exeter, take the A30 towards Honiton and follow the signs for Ottery St Mary.
By Train:
The nearest stations are Feniton and Honiton, both on the Exeter–Waterloo line. From there, local buses or taxis can take you into the town (journey time around 10 minutes). Services will be limited later in the evening, so plan your return journey and check live timetables before travelling.
Please also note that on 5 November, many roads in and around Ottery St Mary are closed for safety reasons. Visitors arriving by car should head straight to the designated temporary car parks rather than attempting to drive into the town centre – see the parking and road closure section below for complete details.
By Bus:
Stagecoach runs local services from Exeter, Sidmouth and Honiton. Services may finish early on Bonfire Night, so check return times before travelling.
By Air:
Exeter Airport is about 10 miles away and offers domestic and European connections. Taxis and bus services operate between the airport and Ottery.
Parking and Road Closures
One of the biggest questions visitors ask each year is: Where can I park for the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels?
On 5 November, the town centre closes to traffic from about 3 pm until after midnight. Parking within the centre is not possible, and parking in the town centre car parks means you cannot leave until the roads reopen. We therefore strongly advise using the temporary car parks, which are usually located on the outskirts of town.
Car parks are clearly signposted from the A30 and surrounding roads. It’s best to arrive early, before 4pm, as spaces fill quickly and road access becomes restricted.
For the latest 2026 parking and road closure information, check the official Ottery Tar Barrels website and this website closer to the date.
Safety and Accessibility
Ottery St Mary’s Tar Barrels are exciting but intense. The narrow streets become packed, and barrel rollers move fast through the crowd. The event has a strong safety record, but organisers and stewards remind visitors to take care and follow advice.
Key safety advice:
- Do not attempt to touch the barrels or get too close.
- Keep to the sides of streets and follow the marshallers’ instructions.
- Pushchairs are not allowed at the event, and it is not recommended for children after 7 pm.
- The event is unsuitable for small children, people with limited mobility, or those who are uncomfortable in crowds.
- Do not run away from the barrels. As they approach, simply take a step back and lean away; running can cause dangerous crowd surges.
- Mobile phone signal can be intermittent, so arrange meeting points in advance.
There are public toilets near Sainsbury’s car park and recycling points throughout the site. The event is glass and plastic-free; visitors are encouraged to buy reusable mugs and use the recycling bins provided.
Alcohol is available from local bars and stalls, but visitors are asked to drink responsibly and avoid bringing glass bottles, which are prohibited.
Where to Stay
Ottery St Mary was once well served by the Salston Manor and Tumbling Weir hotels, both now sadly closed. While the town tends to attract day visitors rather than overnight guests, there are still some lovely places to stay nearby.
You’ll find a great choice of self-catering cottages in the Otter Valley, along with welcoming bed and breakfasts and small hotels in the surrounding countryside. It’s well worth exploring the latest availability and guest reviews on Booking.com to find somewhere that suits your style and budget. Vrbo is also a great site for self-catering and vacation holiday home rentals.
A Night to Remember
The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels remain one of England’s most extraordinary and enduring folk events. It’s a mix of danger, devotion and deep local pride — a celebration that connects the modern town with its centuries-old past.
Watching the flames move through the streets is a reminder of how traditions survive when communities care deeply about them. For visitors, it’s a glimpse of something rare and genuine — an event that belongs entirely to its people.
Read More
For official event updates, safety information, and the latest announcements, visit the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels organisers’ website at https://www.tarbarrels.co.uk/.
Explore the town’s history and attractions in our full Ottery St Mary Travel Guide.
For regional events and local inspiration, see our South West Events Calendar.
Helpful Sites:
- Booking.com – for most accommodation needs. Look out for options that include free cancellation.
- Easy Tide – Free UK tidal prediction service, providing tidal data and tide times for the current day and 6 days into the future.
- Expedia – good for flights and packages.
- Get Your Guide – find and book things to see. Includes unusual things to do.
- Hostelworld – Hostel-focused booking platform that fosters backpack connections.
- MetOffice – Weather forecasts from the UK’s official meteorological office.
- National Express – UK-based coach operator providing long-distance bus services
- Omio – Book travel tickets by comparing trains, buses and planes in one search.
- Rental Cars – to search out and book hire cars.
- Rome2Rio – Great for comparing local transport options (and for locating bus stops).
- Ticketmaster – What’s On – Major Events – Venues – Bookings
- Trainline.com – our go-to online platform for booking train and bus tickets, offering route planning, price comparisons, seat reservations, and ticket sales.
- Traffic England – for live traffic updates on major roads.
- Traveline SW – Comprehensive public transport information from A to B by bus, coach, train, ferry in South West England and Great Britain.
- TripAdvisor – for reviews of… pretty much everything. Our go-to before booking anything.
- Vrbo – Great for self-catering and vacation holiday home rentals.
Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels – Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need tickets for the Tar Barrels?
No tickets are required. The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels is a free public event organised by local volunteers. Donations are welcomed to help with costs, you can do this on the organisers website where merchandise is also available to purchase.
When are the Tar Barrels held and what time do they start?
The Tar Barrels take place every year on 5 November. Children’s and youth barrels start in the afternoon at 4pm, while the adult barrels usually begin around 7 pm and continue into the late evening.
Is there an official programme or running order?
Yes there is and it is highly recommended. It has a useful map and the times and locations of barrels around the town. Available from the organisers and on sale on the night.
Where can you park for the Tar Barrels?
Parking in the town centre is strictly limited due to road closures. Visitors are advised to use clearly signposted car parks on the outskirts of Ottery St Mary and walk in. Arrive early and expect delays on approach roads. Always follow temporary traffic signs and steward instructions.
How busy does it get and how many people usually attend?
Attendance can reach over ten thousand people, busier still when the event falls on a Friday or Saturday. The narrow streets become extremely crowded, so plan your route carefully, identify open spaces and avoid bottlenecks. It’s wise to arrange a meeting point in case you get separated from your group.
What is the history behind the Tar Barrels?
The custom dates back several centuries. It likely began as a way of celebrating Bonfire Night or cleansing the town at year’s end. Traditionally, barrels were set alight outside pubs and carried through the streets by locals. Today, the event remains a unique symbol of Ottery St Mary’s identity and community spirit, carefully managed by the Ottery Tar Barrels Committee.
Where do the barrels take place?
Barrels are run from various locations within the Ottery St Mary. We recommend buying a programme from the organisers as this has a map, locations and times.
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