Broadwindsor holds its second Oak Apple Festival over four days at the end of May. 28th -31st May 2026
Held to coincide with the day Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, the event recalls the monarch’s six-week escapade in 1651 after escaping from the Battle of Worcester.
The king not only hid in the famous Boscobel Oak in Shropshire, he spent a night at the old Castle Inn, which is now King Charles Cottage.
A just-for-fun ‘Where’s Charlie?’ Trail will take place over the weekend when families are invited to spot knitted King Charles figures all around the village.
Organisations from all over the village will be involved in the four days of activities, which include a family fun evening with live music at the cricket ground, the Oak Apple Fair on the village green – with stalls, sideshows, live music and refreshments – a flower festival in Broadwindsor Church, classic cars, an art project, cream teas and a storytelling picnic walk to Lewesdon Hill.
There is also a scarecrow competition with the theme of ‘Favourite Books / Characters from Fiction’, to tie in with 2026 being the National Year of Reading. Maps will be available at the village shop.
Oak Apple Festival 28-31 May 2026
Thursday 28 May
- Oak Apple Banquet at White Lion Community pub
Friday 29 May
- 10am to 4pm, Church Flower festival
- 12 noon, Lewesdon picnic walk and storytelling
- 6-9pm, Family Fun evening, Cricket Club
- 10am to 6pm, Where’s Charlie? trail
Saturday 30 May
- 10am to 4pm, Church Flower Festival
- 10am to 6pm, Scarecrow Trail
- 10am to 6pm, Where’s Charlie? trail
- 1.45pm Parade of Organisation Shields
- 2-5pm Oak Apple Fair
- Evening – Live music at White Lion
Sunday 31 May
- 10am to 4pm, Church Flower Festival
- 10am to 6pm, Scarecrow Trail
- 10am to 6pm, Where’s Charlie? trail
- 9.30am-2.30pm, Breakfast baps in Comrades Hall
- 11am, Community Church Service
- 10.30am to 2.30pm, Classic cars
- 12.30pm Live music and food, White Lion
- 2-4pm, Cream Teas, Comrades Hall
