From cheese rolling to a pina colada festival, the UK sure knows how to host a quirky event. Adding to the bizarre traditions and festivities is a rather unusual event which takes place every year in Greater Manchester – and it’s only 30 minutes from Manchester city centre, if you were looking for a bit of a bonkers day out. The annual World Black Pudding Throwing Championships takes place this weekend on Bridge Street in the Greater Manchester town of Ramsbottom.
Crowds gather to see participants aim to knock down the most Yorkshire puddings off a 20ft scaffold by throwing black puddings at them. Yes, you read that right, black pudding throwing, lobbing, or also referred to as ‘hurling’ due to the underhand throw, is as fun and bizarre as it sounds. Contestants from far and wide head to the Greater Manchester town (historically in Lancashire) for this wacky, food-themed competition. The championships have seen international entries from the likes of Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Peru, Argentina, the USA, Poland, Kenya, and Norway, and even media coverage of the event from across the globe.
When and where do the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships take place?
The World Black Pudding Throwing Championship tends to take place every second Sunday in September on Bridge Street in the Greater Manchester town of Ramsbottom. Despite the passing of the main organiser Phil Taylor earlier this year, the 2025 event will proceed, taking place on Sunday 14th September from 11am to 4pm.
The championships begin with a steam train bringing a small painted block known as the “golden grid” to Ramsbottom railway station, which is then escorted by bagpipers to the competition area outside The Oaks pub on Bridge Street, marking the spot where contestants take aim.
How did the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships begin?
Local legends say that the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships date back to the War of the Roses. Warring factions of the House of Lancaster and the House of York at a battle in Stubbins, Lancashire, in 1455 are said to have run out of ammunition and resorted to throwing food at each other: black puddings from Lancashire and Yorkshire puddings from Yorkshire. However, the likelihood of troops having such plentiful supplies of food and a lack of weaponry is contentious.
The championships are said to have been revived by a pub landlord in 1839 and brought back again in 1984 by the Stubbins Village Community Trust (SVCT). The event was originally held outside the Corner Pin pub in nearby Stubbins before that pub was closed and converted to offices, then moved to The Oaks in the centre of Ramsbottom, which continues to draw thousands of spectators to watch every year.
How can I take part in the championships?
The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships are open to all, so whether you’re a beginner bowler or seasoned hurler, you can give it a good go. Participants pay a small fee to compete (previous years being £1) and are given three black puddings wrapped in tights to stop them from falling apart.
The rules are simple: stand on the oche, throw three black puddings underarm at the giant Yorkshire puddings perched on a 20-foot scaffold, and see how many you can knock down. You have no more than three throws. No overarm throwing is allowed; only underarm hurling at the Yorkshire puddings is permitted, otherwise it would be too easy.
Pud Fest – Ramsbottom’s longest running music festival
However, the annual Pud Fest, Ramsbottom’s longest-running music festival, also organised by the SVCT over the last 22 years, will be postponed until 2026. An alternative music event known as Pudd Rocks will take place in the Memories Courtyard (to the rear of The Oaks pub) from 12pm. There will be two stages at Pudd Rocks, including tributes to The Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran alongside local bands.
Find out more about the competition here.
The World Black Pudding Championships 2025 will take place on Sunday 14th September from 11am until 4pm outside The Oaks, 39 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9AD.