Somerset Day 2023: 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.
HISTORY 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.
Battle of Edington:
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.
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.
National Night Shift Workers Day 2023 (US): Date, History, Facts
Five INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOMERSET YOU SHOULD KNOW
The longest surviving steam railway
The West Somerset Railway is the country’s longest preserved steam railway.
The first metropolis to receive electricity
Taunton, Somerset, is the first city in the nation to be perpetually illuminated by street lighting.
It is the origin of cheddar cheese.
Cheddar derives its name from the Cheddar Gorge and caverns in Somerset.
The remnants of the Romans
Somerset yielded the largest collection of Roman coins ever discovered in a solitary container.
A location with historical significance
Cheddar Gorge, in Somerset, yielded the earliest complete human skeleton.
WHY WE LOVE SOMERSET DAY
A fantastic occasion
Somerset Day is a fantastic occasion that commemorates Somerset and reminds people of its significance and history. By observing this day, we honour the county’s culture and heritage.
It propagates positivity.
Somerset Day encourages individuals to investigate and learn more about the magnificent county of Somerset. Thus, their affection for the county could multiply.
It brings individuals together.
One of the greatest things we can take away from this day is the fact that it brings people together. Patriots from throughout the nation gather to celebrate and appreciate this day.
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 |
