Get ready to mark your calendars, Harrow locals! The annual May Day at the Manor is just around the corner, promising a day filled with traditional merriment, family fun, and a dash of local history.
Dating back to 900 AD, May Day is a national Bank Holiday that Harrow celebrates with gusto, particularly at the historic Headstone Manor. This year's event, scheduled for Monday, 6th of May, promises to be as exciting as ever.
The day's festivities are steeped in tradition, with fire symbolising blessings for cattle and livestock. Farmers would train their cattle to leap over small fires, a practice believed to ward off fairies from stealing their milk. While we may not see cattle jumping over fires at Headstone Manor, the spirit of the tradition lives on in the day's activities.
The Manor's May Day focus is on family fun, offering a plethora of activities to keep everyone entertained. Children can participate in Maypole and Victorian dancing, while outdoor theatre performances and live music cater to the adults. The arts and crafts activities, roaming performers, and Duck Pond Market Stalls ensure there's something for everyone.
Food and drink stalls will be available to keep your energy levels up, and don't miss the Morris dancers adding a touch of traditional charm to the day's proceedings.
The event runs from midday to 5pm, with tickets priced at £4 for adults, £2.50 for children (under 2’s go free), or £10 for a family ticket. You can purchase tickets on the day or online, but do remember a £1 booking fee applies for online purchases.
As there's no customer parking at the venue, consider finding a space in a nearby street or taking public transport. The H9 and H10 buses stop at Pinner View, just a few minutes' walk from the venue.
May Day at the Manor is a cherished annual event that Harrovians eagerly anticipate. So, pencil in the date and prepare for a day of traditional fun and frolics at Harrow's Headstone Manor!
Image credit: Harrow Online
