Procession through the village

The garland itself is a large wooden frame decorated with seasonal flowers and shaped into a bell-like structure. It is placed over the Garland King, completely covering his head and upper body, before he is led on horseback through the village.

The procession begins in the early evening, when the King and Consort visit parts of the village to announce the start of the parade. They then gather at a local pub, where the fully decorated garland is placed over the King before the main procession sets off.

The event features the Castleton Silver Band, traditional dances performed by local children, and stops at several pubs along the route. At each stop, the band performs the Garland tune as the procession makes its way through the village.

At the end of the ceremony, the garland is removed and hoisted onto the church tower, where it remains on display until the flowers fade.

A smaller floral arrangement is then laid at the village war memorial, accompanied by traditional music.

Preserving a historic custom

The ceremony is organised by a local committee, which oversees preparations including decorating the garland frame, arranging maypole dances in the village centre and coordinating the horses used in the procession.

Historically, the role of Garland King evolved from early village participants, including bell-ringers and local tradesmen, with costumes and customs changing over time.

The modern version of the event was formalised during the 20th century, with the current format overseen by a dedicated Garland Committee.

Castleton Garland Day continues to attract visitors each year, with preparations now under way for the latest staging of this rare surviving example of England’s floral folk heritage.