Starting Off the Beltane Brew

The CERNE GIANT FESTIVAL was born out of our vibrant May Day tradition, when the Morris Dancers and villagers gather at dawn on the Trendle, the original  site of the village Maypole at the top of the Cerne Giant. Here we salute the sunrise and celebrate the start of summer with a barrel of Beltane Beer.  Begun in 2017,  the Festival has now extended to about 3 weeks. With a theme of ‘Celebrating Humanity in the Landscape’, there will be a huge variety of events including workshops, talks, and walks so that there is something for everyone to explore their own connection with landscape of Dorset and what it means to them. Any profits from the Festival will go towards maintaining the fabric and work of the churches in the participating villages.

Cerne Giant Festival

Help make Cerne Abbas Brewery's Beltane Brew and learn about its herbal ingredients

Cerne Abbas Brewery, Chescombe Barn, Barton Meadows Farm

2026

Celebrate Spring 2026 by joining us for talks, walks, and workshops learning more about the natural and cultural history, landscape, and history of the Cerne Valley and Dorset.

The annual limited edition Beltane Brew is always eagerly anticipated, and provides liquid nourishment for the thirsty revellers at 5.30am when the Morris Men dance to greet the sunrise. Come along to help them create this year’s elixir. Medical herbalist Eleanor Gallia will explain the cleansing and invigorating herb ingredients, then take your turn to toss them into the wort at it seethes in the vast copper. Beer and cider will be on sale, both on tap and bottled. Food for lunch will also be available, so make an afternoon of it relaxing at the brewery. Tickets £7.50 including a 1/2 pint beerIf you wish to joing the walk in the morning to collect the spring tonic herbs beforehand then please read the information in our event 'Gathering the Herbs for the Beltane Brew'. Book your place for BOTH workshops on that event page.That event at Lower Barton Farm, and is best found found using what3words : congratulations//sherpherdess//locatingThe 'Gathering Herbs' event is on the A352 between Nether Cerne and Cerne Abbas. Do not use SatNav as it takes you to the wrong place. Follow instructions on the Gathering Herbs for the Beltane Brew page.

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Starting Off the Beltane Brew

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