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'Obby 'Oss Celebrations

when:May 2010 (annual)
where:Town Centre
cost:Free

Prepare yourself for a strange tradition that's said to aid fertility! Padstow town centre's 'Obby 'Oss Celebrations see two black-clothed hobby horses make a bee-line for every woman they pass, drawing them under their cloaks and daubing them with coal.

The hobby horses have big red eyes and snapping teeth, and to be caught under their cloaks is thought to be good luck and even fertility-inducing! Such bizarre goings-on were first recorded in the 16th century and take place every May Day as a fertility ritual, held to mark the coming of summer.

Related Information

Website: Padstow 'Obby 'Oss Website

Contact Details
Name:Cornwall Tourist Board
Fax:+44 (0) 1872 240423
Phone:+44 (0) 1872 274057
Address:Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro TR1 3EY, UK
Venue Information:Town Centre
Full Name:
Address:Town Centre, Padstow, Cornwall, England PL28 8AL
Directions:Nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway.
Contact Details
Name:Cornwall Tourist Board
Fax:+44 (0) 1872 240423
Phone:+44 (0) 1872 274057
Address:Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro TR1 3EY, UK
Name:Padstow Tourist Office
Location:Padstow
Address:Red Brick Building, North Quay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8AF
Email:padstowtic@btconnect.com
Phone:+44 (0) 1841 533449
Fax:+44 (0) 1841 532356
Name:Visit Cornwall
Location:Cornwall
Address:Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1EA
Email:enquiries@visitcornwall.com
Phone:+44 (0) 1872 322 900
Fax:+44 (0) 1872 322 919
Name:Southwest Tourism
Location:South West
Address:South West Tourism Ltd, Woodwater Park, Exeter, EX2 5WT
Email:post@swtourism.co.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 1392 360 050
Fax:+44 (0) 1392 445 112
Name:The National Trust
Location:United Kingdom
Email:enquiries@ntrust.org.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 20 8315 1111
Fax:+44 (0) 20 8466 6824
Name:Visit Britain
Location:United Kingdom
Address:1 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5HE
Phone:+44 (0) 20 7578 1000
Event details can change. Please check with the organisers that the event is happening before making travel arrangements.