World Black Pudding Throwing Championships

What to expect

The championships take place outside The Oaks pub on Bridge Street. Each competitor stands on a marked spot and gets three throws to knock as many Yorkshire puddings as possible off a plinth about 20 feet high, using black puddings for ammunition. It sounds easy until you try it: the puddings are wrapped and weighted, and the target is a long way up. Throwing usually runs from late morning into the afternoon, with music and a lively crowd around the pub. Prizes and bragging rights go to the best throwers, and black puddings are sold on site, so you can eat the ammunition afterwards.

The story behind it

Legend links the event to the Wars of the Roses, claiming that rival Lancastrian and Yorkshire troops ran out of ammunition near Stubbins and started throwing food at each other, black puddings from one side and Yorkshire puddings from the other. It is a lovely story, but there is no evidence for it. The modern championships date from the 1980s and owe more to Ramsbottom's sense of humour and its love of a good pub day out. The friendly rivalry between the two counties gives it its flavour.

Getting there and home

Ramsbottom's station is on the East Lancashire Railway, a heritage line that runs from Bury on selected days. For National Rail, travel to Manchester Victoria, take the Metrolink tram to Bury, then a bus to Ramsbottom or, if it is running, the heritage train. Bridge Street is near the centre, so it is easy to reach on foot once you arrive. Parking in Ramsbottom is limited on event days; public transport is the less stressful option.

Watching, taking part and tips

Watching is free and anyone can have a go for a small fee, though prices have changed in recent years, so bring some cash and a card. It is a relaxed, family-friendly occasion, with plenty of space to cheer on throwers of all ages. Arrive early if you want a good view of the plinth. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a waterproof, as September weather in the Pennines can turn quickly. Leave time to explore Ramsbottom's independent shops and cafés.

Taking part

Forget the fast-bowler run-up: here it's all about the underarm. Each thrower gets three black puddings, lobbed from the oche towards the Yorkshire puddings. Before you pay to enter, watch a full turn and listen to whoever is running the throwing area. Ask where to wait, when to step up and where spectators should stand. Don't go fetching ammunition or wander into the working area unless an official asks you to.

The organisers welcome anyone to have a go for a small fee, though their website currently mixes details from 2025 and 2026, so it doesn't tell you the next year's price, age policy or entry deadline. If your trip hinges on a child taking part, or you need an adaptation to throw, ask in advance rather than relying on the general invitation. Hand your coat and bags to a friend while you throw, so your mind is on the target and not your belongings. A few minutes studying technique is time well spent — and ask the organiser what kit is provided.

Accessibility and families

A street event calls for different access questions from a ticketed venue. Ask the organisers about the viewing area, the route from your drop-off point, accessible toilets and somewhere to take a break. No reserved accessible platform, seating or Changing Places facility has been announced for the next championships. Explain what would make the day work for you, and get a specific answer before you make a long journey.

For children, find a spot where they can see the target without being anywhere near the throwing area. Stay together as you move between the crowd and the surrounding shops, and agree a meeting point away from the oche in case anyone gets separated. The official page mentions stalls and children's rides for its listed edition, so check the next programme if those are a big part of the day. Leave time for a quiet pause and a proper toilet stop. Watching is free, which helps — but that alone doesn't tell you how easy the street will be with a wheelchair or pushchair.

Make a day of it nearby

The East Lancashire Railway can be a day out in itself as well as your way into Ramsbottom. The heritage line runs between Heywood and Rawtenstall, calling at several stations, and has its own programme of special events. Check the timetable, the train you plan to catch home and how long your ticket is valid before pairing it with the championships. Heritage trains don't run as often as you might hope in the evening, and special events may have their own booking conditions.

For a walk, the National Trust has a circular route to Peel Tower on Holcombe Moor. Parts are uneven and fairly steep, so dress for a hill walk, footwear and forecast included, rather than a wander round the shops. You can only go inside the tower on selected days. Give this outing its own time, and keep dogs on leads near livestock. The two suit different moods: a train ride for railway fans, or a proper walk for the moorland and views — neither squeezed into a gap in the throwing queue.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Lancashire Evening Post: 2025 championships ↗
• Calendar Customs: black pudding throwing ↗
• East Lancashire Railway event page ↗
• Official championships: event information and rules ↗
• Official championships: main page ↗
• East Lancashire Railway: official visitor site ↗
• National Trust: Peel Tower circular walk ↗