Eastnor Castle Fireworks Championships

Come November the 5^th we flock to firework displays across the country and ignore the biting cold in order to watch the night sky burst into life with all manner of colourful showers and ear popping bangs. If your local firework display is becoming somewhat same old same old 2015 may be the year to give your senses a real treat and visit the annual fireworks championships held at Eastnor Castle in Ledbury, Hertfordshire.

If you are one of the millions that never ceases to be amazed at fireworks then imagine what lengths the contestants go to who are taking part in a competition? 3 teams compete for the overall title of Fireworks Champion and the audience vote for the winner by text.  The competitive 10 minute displays are choreographed to music and their artistry and dynamism has to be seen to be believed.

The dramatic backdrop of Eastnor Castle nestling in the Malvern Hills really is the most perfect setting for such an event,  and is an obvious choice. Surrounded by a lake, deer park and arboretum, the quintessential English country estate that offers the combination of the new and the old. The castle is steeped in history so what better to highlight the beauty of the building than to bathe it in light from the very latest in pyrotechnic technology?  The castle takes so many roles as a wedding and corporate event venue, visitor attraction and, of course, stunning country estate, so where better to spend Guy Fawkes night?

This is the fifth year this event will have been held at Eastnor Castle and every year it just gets bigger and better. As well as the competition there is a fourth display for you to enjoy courtesy of MLE pyrotechnics.  Allowing the audience to vote by text gives everyone the feeling of being actually involved rather than just admiring the displays. Every number can only vote once to keep it completely fair and there is no extra charge applied to the text.

The gates open at 5pm with the first team performing at 9.15pm. This may seem like a long time to wait but there is so much going on the time simply flies by. Children in particular are extremely well catered for in the form of rides, bouncy castles and other attractions you would expect from an event of such calibre. Families bring folding table and chairs along and set up on the grass to either eat the picnic they have brought along or the food they have purchased from the many vendors in attendance.

There is a real buzz in the atmosphere from the moment the gates open and if you want to make a real night of it you can even come as a large crowd and hire your own outside catering. Please contact us to let us know in advance if you are bringing a large group so we can have your arrangements in place for your arrival.

Those who want to make a weekend of it are more than welcome to bring their tents or motorhomes/caravans and set up home in the camping field. It only costs £10 a night for adults and children are free. You can arrive from 4pm onwards, an hour before the gates open, so you can be all set up before the party begins. Camping must be booked in advance and you will need a ticket for the display. Basic facilities are available but there is no electrical hook up.

The castle and grounds are often used for location filming and is also the location of the Land Rover vehicle test track and experience centre.