If you want one of the strangest food-based sports in the UK, check out the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships. This event takes place every year in Ramsbottom, Lancashire. Competitors stand on a platform and hurl black puddings at a stack of Yorkshire puddings placed 20 feet below. The goal is simple. Knock down as many Yorkshire puddings as possible with one throw. It combines comedy, skill, and classic northern rivalry in the most absurd way.
How the Black Pudding Throwing Works
Participants get three throws each. They stand on a 20-foot-high platform outside the Royal Oak pub. Below them sits a 6-foot-high stack of Yorkshire puddings on a plinth. The black puddings weigh about one pound each. Throwers aim to smash the Yorkshire puddings while avoiding the plinth. The person who knocks down the most wins a trophy and bragging rights. A referee counts the hits, and crowds cheer every direct strike.
Teams and individuals compete. Fancy dress is encouraged. The atmosphere stays lively with music, food stalls, and plenty of laughs.
The Story Behind This Quirky Contest
The tradition began in the 1980s as a fun way to settle a friendly argument between Lancashire and Yorkshire. Locals joked about which county had the better pudding. Lancashire folk threw black puddings at Yorkshire puddings to prove a point. The event grew quickly and now draws hundreds of spectators and throwers from around the world every September.
It stays true to its roots. The competition supports local charities and celebrates regional food pride with humor.
Why People Love Watching It
The sight of black puddings flying through the air and Yorkshire puddings exploding on impact never gets old. It mixes physical skill with pure silliness. Spectators enjoy the banter, the costumes, and the occasional spectacular miss. It remains one of the most photographed odd events in England.
How to Experience Black Pudding Throwing
Visit Ramsbottom near Bury in Lancashire during the September event. Entry costs little, and watching is free. Arrive early for a good spot near the tower. Combine the trip with a walk in the nearby hills for a full day out.
This flying-food battle shows how England turns local pride into hilarious fun. Would you throw a black pudding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
