Britain's 5 Strangest Festivals

While you could be forgiven for thinking that you need to travel far to find some of the world's strangest festivals, the reality is that Britain is home to some pretty odd celebrations of its own. With whacky events ranging from cheese rolling to horn dancing taking place here in the UK each and every year, you're sure to find something to tickle your fancy right on your doorstep.

Those who are fond of cheese and crackers may discover that Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling celebration is right up their street. Taking place once a year, the event sees locals and visitors alike climbing Cooper's Hill so they can race back down again in the hope of catching hold of a seven or eight pound wheel of locally produced Double Gloucester cheese. As the hill is a little on the steep side, the majority of these brave souls end up travelling at great speed - just not always in an upright position. This is a fun and friendly festival but not best suited to the faint hearted.

A slightly risqué celebration can be enjoyed on the First of May in Cerne Abbas, a mall village north of Dorchester in Dorset. There you'll find the Wessex Morris Men joined by a variety of paganists and other new agers dancing on the Cerne Abbas Giant - also known as the Rude Man - one of the UK's most naughty landmarks.

Up Helly Aa is a truly unique, and strange, British festival, and one perfect for those who like to party. Taking place in Shetland, this is a celebration of the rich Viking heritage of the area which is aided by a massive party spirit. As Europe's biggest fire festival, Up Helly Aa has plenty to attract visitors, but it's the Viking costumes and the burning of a Viking long boat that really make it stand out as one of the UK's most unusual festivals.

Brighton's annual Burning of the Clocks festival is another fiery competitor for the title of Britain's barmiest event. Every year people of all ages take a trip to Brighton beach with the aim of burning lanterns and enjoying firework displays to celebrate the lengthening of the days following the Winter Solstice - hence the theme of 'clock burning'.

The Haxley Hood is another strange tradition that Britain uses as an excuse for a knees up. On the twelfth night after Christmas, a gigantic tussle takes place between two North Lincolnshire villages as each hopes to take possession of the Haxley Hood. The fight is launched by a 'fool' dressed up in old fashioned fool's clothes and has taken place for at least 700 year, making this a long running and still enjoyable tradition.

Take a driving trip around the UK to visit some of the county's most unusual festivals, pick up transport in the form of anything from cheap car hire Heathrow terminal 5 to cars at other popular UK airports.