Somerset Day is celebrated annually on May 11 to honour Somerset as a place to live, work, play, study, and enjoy the full Somerset experience in the United Kingdom. Somerset is one of the most sought-after destinations in the United Kingdom. Yes, Somerset has much more to offer than excellent cider, delicious cheese, and a large music festival. It has an abundance of sandy beaches, Jurassic sections filled with fossils, verdant forests, and historical structures and heritage locations. So, what is Somerset Day specifically about, and what is its history? Continue reading to find out more.
The background of Somerset Day
Somerset is a picturesque county in southwest England, just below the Bristol Channel. The county is home to an abundance of natural fauna and historic landscapes, encompassing a vast expanse of rural land and cities, including Glastonbury and even Bath. 2015 marked the first Somerset Day celebration.
A group of local businesses, Passion for Somerset, held an online ballot to determine the date for the countywide event. There were three competing days, each with a unique connection to the county, and on May 11 the winning day received 51% of the vote. The 11th of May was designated as Somerset Day to honour Alfred the Great. In 878, Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, convened the people of Somerset for the Battle of Edington, also known as the Battle of Ethandun, against the Viking army. The monarch of Wessex and his soldiers from Somerset defeated the invading Vikings, and Alfred went on to become a powerful ruler. A tower known as King Alfred’s Tower is believed to represent the location where King Alfred rallied his troops.
Michael Eavis established the renowned Glastonbury festival in Somerset in 1970. Over 10,000 listed structures, over 500 ancient monuments, and 36 English Heritage sites contribute to Somerset’s cultural diversity. On Somerset Day, the citizens of Somerset will fly their flags in honour of the county’s heritage and history.
World Facilities Management Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Facilities Management
World Orienteering Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
World Lupus Day 2023: Date, History, Facts Regarding Lupus
SOMERSET DAY ACTIVITIES
Share the news
The best way to observe Somerset Day is to educate uninformed individuals about the region’s natural grandeur and rich history. Spread the word on social media about this holiday, and encourage your peers to do the same.
Visit Somerset
One of the thrilling ways you can celebrate Somerset Day is by travelling to Somerset. This is the sign you’ve been looking for to plan your excursion.
Tell your story
If you have been fortunate enough to visit Somerset in the past and have fascinating stories to share about your time there, share them on social media. In addition to your anecdotes, provide additional information and facts about Somerset.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOMERSET YOU SHOULD KNOW
The West Somerset Railway is the country’s longest preserved steam railway.
Taunton, Somerset, is the first city in the nation to be perpetually illuminated by street lighting.
Cheddar derives its name from the Cheddar Gorge and caverns in Somerset.
Somerset yielded the largest collection of Roman coins ever discovered in a solitary container.
Cheddar Gorge, in Somerset, yielded the earliest complete human skeleton.
SOMERSET DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 11 | Thursday |
| 2024 | May 11 | Saturday |
| 2025 | May 11 | Sunday |
| 2026 | May 11 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 11 | Tuesday |
