Cool Place of the Day: Obby Oss, Padstow
Every day, a new place to discover or explore, from coolplaces.co.uk
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Not so much a Cool Place as a Cool Event, Padstow is famous for Obby Oss, a May Day festival steeped in tradition and thought to be of Celtic origin. It happens on Monday May 2 this year, and is maybe the biggest day in Padstow’s year, with tens of thousands of people crammed into the town’s narrow streets and harbour, which are decorated with bunting and flags.
Starting promptly at 10am, the day unfolds with flowers, drums and singing, and a procession winds around Padstow following first the blue oss and then later the red oss – both startling-looking ribboned, vaguely horselike effigies wearing costumes built around enormous wooden hoops, which are strapped to the wearer’s shoulders and draped with sailcloths. They prance through the streets entertaining the crowds, who follow on singing traditional Mayday songs to massed accordions and generally having a ball until the poor old Osses are killed off at midnight at the maypole.
What does it all mean? No one really knows, or maybe even cares, it seems. But it’s one of Cornwall’s most historic and unique festivals, a rousing ritual, and exiled Padstow folk are said to return in droves to take part. Why not grab a pasty, a pint and a songsheet, and join them?
Cool Places is a new website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments