We leave London at 1pm on Friday afternoon so you will need to take a half-day off work for the drive to the Cotswolds. Once we arrive we will check into our basic travel lodge or B&B in the Cotswolds and then do a brief tour of some stunning Cotswold villages, before arriving at Chipping Campden in the evening for the main events! Shin kicking, fireworks, torch light procession and rock concert are all included! At midnight we will transfer back to our hotel. The following day we will have breakfast in the hotel, and then leave the Cotswolds by 10am to try and get back home by 1pm so you can enjoy the rest of your weekend in sunny London.
Shin Kicking at the Cotswold 'Olimpicks'
COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND, 4-5 JUNE 2010
2 Day Minibus & Hotel Tour - £85
In this modern world of Health and Safety legislation and "political correctness" it is amazing that this 400 year old event is still allowed to take place. The first Cotswold Olimpicks took place in 1612, and every year the people of the beautiful village of Chipping Campden recreate these historic games.
Thousands of people come to watch this festival, and you can participate in events such as tug of war, climbing the "unclimbable" ladder and if you are really brave Shin-kicking! In this event, contestants don traditional white smocks, then hold each other by the shoulders and try to kick each other to the ground. The only protection they are allowed is to pack their trousers with straw! All sounds very gruesome but the festival really starts to get going once a new Shin Kicking Champion has been found (will it be you?) There is a massive bonfire and fireworks display followed by, what most people think is the highlight of the trip, a torchlight procession into the historic town centre. The evening concludes with a rock concert in the town square until midnight!
"The medieval sport of shin-kicking lives on in Chipping Campden, where each year the townspeople gather to compete at the Cotswold Olimpicks, a traditional county sports day first celebrated in 1612. It is one of the most entertaining and bizarre sporting competitions in England and many of the original events such as welly wanging (throwing), the sack race and climbing a slippery pole are still held. The competition was mentioned in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor and has been officially sanctioned by the British olimpic Association. It is held annually at the beginning of June"
- From Lonely Planet England guide - 2007 - pg 401
whats included
Transport to and from London to the Cotswolds, and a brief tour of Cotswold villages on Friday afternoon / evening.
One night accommodation (based on two people sharing) in a basic travel lodge or B&B.
Entrance to the Cotswold Olimpicks, fireworks, torchlight procession and rock concert
whats NOT included
All food and drink apart from what's listed above.
Any souvenirs you wish to buy.
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The Details
Itinerary
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Day 1: Friday 4 June
Depart London Embankment Tube Station at 1pm for drive to the Cotswolds. Once we arrive we will check into our accommodation and conduct a brief tour of Cotswold villages. Arrive Chipping Campden early evening in time for Shin Kicking championship, fireworks, torchlight procession and rock concert. At midnight we leave Chipping Campden for our hotel.
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Day 2: Saturday 5 June
Have breakfast in the hotel before departing at 10am for the drive back to London. Expected arrival time in London of approx 1pm.
Video of Shin Kicking Contest
Cost of the Tour
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Cost per person: £85.00
