10 strange British sports
Join the team at Sky HISTORY as we share the strangest sports in Britain, from cheese-rolling and knob-throwing to bog snorkelling.
Image: Cheese-rolling is a bizarre tradition that has been around for approximately 200 years | ComposedPix / Shutterstock.com
From the Premier League to Wimbledon, Britain is home to the world's most illustrious sporting tournaments. The competition to play in the country is fierce, and only the best athletes are selected.
That said, we Brits also know how to have fun, and the country is home to plenty of wacky sports for brave participants and eccentric spectators. Keep reading as the team at Sky HISTORY outlines ten of the best.
1. Cheese-rolling
The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is a fringe sporting tradition from Brockworth, Gloucester. Every Spring Bank Holiday, participants from around the globe race down a 180m hill chasing a wheel of delicious Double Gloucester cheese.
It's not entirely obvious why the event began, but the first was recorded in 1826. Want to join the fun? Be warned — the steep and uneven descent has claimed many ankles, knees and hips over the years.
2. Shin-kicking
Like jousting, shin-kicking is often described as an English martial art. Once a popular method of settling disputes in 1612, attracting huge crowds of excited spectators, the sport has since been somewhat dampened by health and safety rules.
Nowadays, you can watch tournaments at the Cotswold Olimpick Games — a unique sporting celebration takes place on the Friday after the Spring Bank Holiday in Chipping Campden, in the Cotswolds.
3. Man versus horse marathon
If you’re bored of regular marathons, why not up the ante? The annual Man versus Horse Marathon is a 22-mile mixed-terrain fun run that pits runners against riders on horseback in Powys, mid-Wales.
The event started in 1980 when a pub landlord wanted to settle a dispute between patrons: Who was faster, man or horse? There have only been four human winners in the race's history, making it one of the toughest competitions on the planet.
4. Snail racing
Britain is well known for its motorsport history, having held the very first Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone in May 1950. But you might not know it’s also home to a much slower form of racing: the Snail Racing World Championships.
This can be traced back to the 1960s in Congham, Norfolk. Inspired by similar tournaments in France, Tom Elwes created UK-based circuits and encouraged people to gamble small amounts on which gastropod would cross the finish line first.
You can find plenty of nail-biting events across the UK, including the Grand Championship Snail Race in Cambridgeshire.
5. Gurning
Gurning dates back to 1267 when King Henry III granted it a Royal Charter. During competitions, participants take turns pulling the ugliest faces — winners no doubt receiving a small knock to their self-esteem.
The most famous tournament takes place annually at the Egremont Crab Fair and Sports on the third Saturday in September in Cumberland. Just be careful if the wind changes!
6. Gravy wrestling
The World Gravy Wrestling Championships (yes, you read that correctly) invite people to grapple with strangers in a pool of Lancashire gravy. Extra points are given for fancy dress, comedic effect and entertainment value.
While totally bonkers, it’s for a good cause. All money raised is donated to the East Lancashire Hospice, which supports people with life-limiting conditions.
7. Quidditch
If you've always dreamt about reenacting your Harry Potter fantasies, you'll be pleased to know you can actually find real-life Quidditch tournaments across the UK.
The British Quidditch Cup is organised by QuadballUK — 'quadball' being the commonly used name to distinguish the sport from its fictional counterpart. The game involves players trying to pass a ball through opponents' hoops while riding a makeshift broomstick.
8. Welly-wanging
Welly-wanging is pretty self-explanatory — entrants must throw a Wellington boot as far as possible. While not as heavy as a shotput or as temperamental as a javelin, the sport still requires serious levels of upper body strength (and a good sense of humour, of course).
There's not much information on the history of the sport, but it probably originated in the West Country of England in the 1970s. Nowadays, you'll find the popular game at fêtes and fairs across Britain.
9. Bog snorkelling
Believe it or not, bog snorkelling has taken the UK by storm, praised for being one of the toughest endurance events out there. The most popular competition takes place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, and is open to thrill-seekers who want a new challenge.
Participants must swim two 55m lengths through a peat bog in the shortest time possible, wearing snorkels, diving masks and flippers.
10. Knob-throwing
Last but not least is knob-throwing — another delightful spectacle that involves members of the public hurling Dorset knobs as far as they can. If you weren't sure, a Dorset knob is a crumbly, savoury biscuit made from bread dough, sugar and butter.
The sport isn't as old as some of the others on our list, first starting at a Cattistock village fundraiser in 2008. Nevertheless, it's become a crowd-pleaser that the whole family can enjoy.
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