Castleton Ancient Garland Ceremony, Derbyshire

Castleton Ancient Garland Ceremony is a unique traditional event which takes place on 29th May annually, and has been happening for thousands of years! It is freely open to the public in the streets of Castleton village. The procession starts at 6.30pm for a couple of hours. Making the Garland beehive begins at 12 noon and takes about 3 hours and visitors can see this happening also.

Castleton Garland Ceremony is a pagan fertility rite which today involves a Garland King wearing a beehive shaped flower headdress , accompanied by his lady, both dressed in Stuart costume riding on horseback around Castleton Village streets. The procession includes Castleton Silver Band playing the traditional Garland Tune, followed by village children dancing the Garland Step, in ritual circle and chain dances. The Ceremony moves to the village church yard when the Garland beehive is hoisted directly from the King’s shoulders (whilst astride his horse) up to the top of the Church tower, where it remains for a week.

The procession continues into the Market Place for maypole dancing, and the final Ceremony at the War Memorial, with the playing of the Last Post and the National Anthem.

Our Ancient Ceremony is usually self funded by collections and donations on Garland Day. Our main expense is the hire of suitable horses and Public Liability Insurance, and these are increasing faster than our collections. Please help us to keep our unique traditional Ceremony going by making a donation, and come and see it for yourself on 29th May (28th if 29th is a Sunday)