West Country Carnival - Carnival Circuit

Carnival Circuit

The Bridgwater carnival was the first carnival of its type, however other carnival processions within the South West began some years ago. They start in late August and continue until late November. The oldest and largest circuit is the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association Circuit which starts at Bridgwater, with many of the carts will appear in all of the carnivals. Prizes are awarded in several categories for the best carts in each carnival.

The four circuits are:

• East Devon Circuit: Seaton, the first Saturday in September, Colyton; Axminster; Sidmouth; Newton Poppleford; Exmouth; Ottery St Mary; Honiton;
• Wessex Grand Prix Circuit: Sturminster Newton, the third Thursday in August/weekend before Bank Holiday; Mere; Frome; Shaftesbury; Gillingham; Castle Cary & Ansford; Trowbridge; Warminster
• South Somerset Federation Of Carnival Committee Circuit: Wellington held on the last Saturday in September; Ilminster; Chard; Taunton;
• Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association Circuit: Bridgwater on the Friday following the nearest Thursday to 5 November; North Petherton on the following Saturday; Burnham-on-Sea on the following Monday; Shepton Mallet on the following Wednesday; Wells on the following Friday; Glastonbury & Chilkwell on the following Saturday; Weston-super-Mare on the following Monday, the last carnival in the whole circuit
  • Circuit from 2012: Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November; Weston-super-Mare on the following Friday; North Petherton on the second Saturday; Burnham-on-Sea on the following Monday; Shepton Mallet on the following Wednesday; Wells on the third Friday; and Glastonbury on the third Saturday.

There is one unofficial carnival in the circuit, the Midsomer Norton carnival held at Westfield on the Thursday between the Shepton Mallet and Wells carnivals. There is also a series of carnivals, including Blandford Forum, Melksham, Salisbury, South Brent, South Petherton, & Topsham,.