Hello, I’m Dice, a Japanese resident in London. As we’ve entered November, the opportunities to see the sun have drastically decreased.
In this blog, I’ll be introducing Guy Fawkes Night, the largest bonfire festival in the UK, which takes place every year on November 5th in Lewes. When people think of bonfires in Japan, many might imagine a cute scene of dancing around a campfire. However, this festival is not on such a small scale! Known as the largest bonfire festival in the world, it attracts tourists from all over the globe, and is an extravagant event filled with fire, fire, and more fire!
In this post, I’ll be sharing an overview of Guy Fawkes Night in Lewes and how to participate for those who want to experience a unique event in the UK that you won’t find on typical tourist itineraries.
The Origin of Guy Fawkes Night
First, let me briefly explain the origin of Guy Fawkes Night.
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night, is a British holiday celebrated every year on November 5th. The origins of this event date back to the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605. This was a scheme by a group of Catholic conspirators, having been persecuted by the Protestant King James I of England, planned to blow up the English Parliament, along with the King, to assassinate him. Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators and is known for planting a large quantity of gunpowder in the basement of Parliament. The plot was foiled, and Guy Fawkes was arrested, but to celebrate the prevention of this treason, the British people began holding large bonfires and setting off fireworks every November 5th.
Today, as November 5th approaches, bonfire and fireworks events are held across the UK, with the largest and most famous being the bonfire and fireworks festival in the small southern town of Lewes.
How to get to Lewes from central London / How to get back
Next, I’ll explain how to get to Lewes from central London.
First, head to Brighton by taking the Southern Railway from central London (e.g., London Bridge station). While this might seem like something you could easily check on Google Maps, I’m sharing this information due to a few important points to keep in mind.
- The first point is: Oyster cards cannot be used! Remember that Oyster cards are only valid within London. Although you might be able to tap in and pass through the gate in London, you won’t be able to get through the barriers at Brighton.
- The second point is that purchasing an Off-Peak Day Return Ticket can save you about a third of the usual fare. This type of return ticket is cheaper than buying two single tickets, so make sure to take advantage of this option.
Once you arrive in Brighton, take a bus to get to Lewes.
For the return journey, while Google Maps may show buses running from within Lewes to Brighton, be aware that from around 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., traffic restrictions are in place within Lewes, so no buses operate from the town during this time! If you plan to use a bus, you need to walk about 30 minutes to reach main roads like the A27. If you’re planning to catch the last train back to central London that evening, make sure to allow plenty of time for this.
Let’s go to Guy Fawkes Night in Lewis!
Now, let me introduce the main topic: Guy Fawkes Night in Lewes. While the event is full of powerful scenes, it’s much better conveyed through video, so be sure to check out my YouTube channel!
Guy Fawkes Night in Lewes begins around 4 p.m. and continues until approximately 11 p.m., with several teams parading through the town carrying torches. Spectators can choose to join the procession or wait by the roadside as the different teams pass by. Here’s a glimpse of what the atmosphere looks like before the torch procession starts.
People holding already lit torches pass on the flames to others in turn.
Once the torches are lit, the atmosphere becomes instantly more intense!
Once all the team members’ torches are lit, the procession begins. Firecrackers are thrown around, enveloping the entire town in smoke. It creates an atmosphere where you feel as if you’ve stepped right into a movie scene!
Various teams parade through the town, making it an impressive festival that lasts for up to seven hours. In the end, they return their lit torches to the bonfire site located on a hill. While anyone can watch the processions in town, entry to the bonfire site requires a pre-purchased ticket costing £10 (around ￥2,000).
When the bonfire site bursts into flames, it becomes a massive blaze reaching the size of a five-story building! The heat is intense, and the sight and energy are truly overwhelming. This powerful scene is best captured on video, so be sure to check out our YouTube channel!
Once the bonfire event concludes, the grand finale of the fireworks begins. Unfortunately, due to the timing of the last train, I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the fireworks this time… It was a bit disappointing, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of them from a distance on my way back, so I’ve included a photo of that. The fireworks were just as impressive as those in Japan!
Bonus – The Streets of Brighton –
This time, the main focus was on Guy Fawkes Night in Lewes, but it might be a good idea to combine it with some sightseeing in Brighton during the day. Not only does Brighton have one of the UK’s top beaches, but it’s also a lively city with a football club that features player Kaoru Mitoma, so definitely make sure to visit as well!
Conclusion
How is it?
This time, I introduced Guy Fawkes Night in Lewes, the world’s largest bonfire festival, held every year on November 5th. If you’re interested in participating in a British festival or want a unique experience that you won’t find in typical tourist attractions, this is definitely a festival that will satisfy you, so be sure to join in!
London still has many more exciting spots to explore. Based on the purpose of your trip, I’ll continue to share a variety of recommended spots and model itineraries that only someone living here as a Japanese resident can suggest, so be sure to check out my other blogs.
Additionally, I’m sharing my life in London and travels around Europe on YouTube. You’ll get to experience real-life moments and beautiful landscapes that I can’t fully convey through the blog, so please come visit my channel!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mriiy15
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