A wonderful way to have some fun and at the same time learn something about the English culture, there are many fun activities for you to observe or even be part of. A major attraction is the many pancake races being held on this day. The most popular one is the pancake race at Olney in Buckinhamshire, having been started since 1445. The custom seems to have started with a housewife, who was preoccupied with cooking pancakes that day. Upon hearing the church bells ring, she hurried out of her house to church taking the frying pan and pancake along with her. Pancake races are also held between townsmen of Liberal, Kansas and Olney at the “International Pancake Day” race, held since 1950.
Some other customs include the Pancake Greaze held annually at the Westminster School in London. Here school boys from the Westminster School participate in a competition which involves trying to get as many pancakes as they can from “up School”. These pancakes are reinforced with horsehair.
And of course, what is England without football, traditional Shrove Tuesday football matches are played throughout towns, though much of them have died down after the passing of the Highway Act in 1835. Yet some towns still hold these games, Alnwick, Ashbourne and Atherstone are to name but a few.
To enjoy some of the festivities and try out some mouth watering delicacies and pancakes a stay in London would be a good ideal, try a serviced residence. London has some to offer, you could check through many London serviced apartments, one of which to take note of though is the Ascott London Mayfair.
