Clitheroe Gears Up for Annual Clog Dancing Festival

And this year’s event features a unique display at Clitheroe Castle by Phil Howard, one of the UK’s last remaining clog makers.

Clog dancing teams from across the UK, among them London’s Camden Clog and the famous Lancashire Wallopers, will bash the boards to traditional live music on Saturday and Sunday (September 12 and 13) to win prizes and the chance for one dancer to lift the coveted Lancashire and Cheshire Championship Hornpipe Belt.

Show dancing starts at Clitheroe Castle at 10.30am on Saturday, before moving to Clitheroe Market and Holmes Mill, culminating in mass clog dancing at the foot of the Clitheroe Castle Keep at 3.30pm.

The fun continues on Sunday, when Clitheroe Castle will host the 2026 Lancashire and Cheshire Clog Dance Competition.

Competition dances and judging will take place from 10am to noon, and 1.30 to 4pm, featuring some of the best clog dancers in the UK.

And during the competition break you will be able to find out more about clog dancing from the dancers and judges.

The event has been organised by Lancashire and Cheshire clog dancing champion Robynne Wood, of the Lancashire Wallopers, and Rachel O’Neill, of Rossendale Clog Heritage, with the support of Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Clitheroe Castle Museum.

Stuart Hirst, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee, said:

“Clog dancing is a traditional English activity and the festival is a great opportunity for people to find out more about clogs, their history, how they are made and how clog dancing has developed over the centuries.

 

“Come and join us in September for a weekend of music and merriment, as one of Lancashire’s most picturesque market towns resounds to the sound of clog dancing.”

Rachel O’Neill, of Rossendale Clog Heritage, added:

“We are delighted to be returning to Clitheroe again, which is the ideal location for this traditional dance form.

 

“Clog dancing keeps you fit, is good for your health and wellbeing, gets you out and about, and keeps our culture and heritage alive, so join us in Clitheroe for a fantastic festival, particularly the mass dances, which will be great fun.”

Further information is available from the Clitheroe Castle Museum on 01200 424568 or clogcomp.org.uk.