Winter Wassail
Come along and join our Winter Wassail on Sunday 25 January. Huzzah! Dress in brightly coloured clothes and bring along something to make lots of noise to help ward off bad luck. Join us for some afternoon cheer and outdoor fun!
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
National Trust Stowe and The Mid Shires Orchard Group welcome you to our 2026 Winter Wassail! The Anglo-Saxon wes haile! or wase hail! was a hearty wish for good health and fortune. We shout Wassail! to toast our apple trees, that they may be healthy and fruitful for the coming year and bring us good harvest and bounty. We also make lots of noise to ward off bad luck and mischievous spirits, so they stay away and don’t steal the fruit!
We welcome audience participation in the Wassail song. Also, whenever the Wassail Leader says ‘Wassail!’, please respond with a loud cheer of ‘Huzzah!’
We encourage you to bring something along to help us make as much noise as possible. So grab those bells, drums, whistles, pots and pans, cups with stones in, or anything else you can find.
The ceremony will involve a lively procession from New Inn, down Bell Gate Drive and towards the orchard/apple tree. We will then toast the orchard and give the Wassail blessing for an abundant harvest from the apple trees followed by the cider soaking of bread which we will hang on trees as gifts for robins. After which we will sing the traditional Wassail song: Here we come a Wassailing, before continuing back up Bell Gate Drive.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Suitability
Children welcome!
- Meeting point
Meet on the grass outside the main entrance to New Inn at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start. But please check in at the Visitor Centre before making your way to the meeting point.
- What to bring and wear
We encourage you to wear brightly coloured clothes, wellies, and plenty of layers. Don't forget to bring along something to help us make as much noise as possible.
- Accessibility
The route we take for the wassail is accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Accessible parking is available in the main car park. Parking is free for all visitors. Dogs are welcome to join us, but must stay on a lead throughout your visit.
- Other
Normal admission applies.
Upcoming events
Community Stoweman Trail
Join us for our winter trail and discover a selection of snowmen - or as we like to call them, Stowemen - individually designed by local community groups.
Monthly Dog Walks
Join us on a paw patrol to explore the gardens at Stowe.
Trust 10K Run
Join us on the fourth Sunday of the month for our free 10k trail run.
Accessible Guided Tours
Are you interested in the history of Stowe Gardens? Join us for a free guided accessible tour led by one of our tour guide volunteers.