North

The Yorkshire Pudding Boat Race, Brawby, North Yorkshire

People set out in giant puddings – literally – across the waters of Bob's Pond. The vessels, made of flour and eggs and coated with layers of yacht varnish, were first dreamed up by local artist Simon Thackray

• Early June, yorkshirepudding.co.uk

World Gurning Championship, Egremont, Cumbria

Participants compete to pull the ugliest face they can at the Egremont Crab Fair, which also features a Pipe Smoking Contest, Cumberland Wrestling and an Applecart Parade

• 17 September, egremontcrabfair.com

Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire

About 100 life-size scarecrows on a theme take over the village of Kettlewell for a week

• 13-21 August, kettlewellscarecrowfestival.co.uk

Black Pudding Throwing Championship, Ramsbottom, Lancashire

Contestants bowl three black puddings each at 21 yorkshire puddings set on a six-metre platform, attempting to knock down the most

• 11 September

World Coal Carrying Championship, Ossett, West Yorkshire

The nation's coalmen (and women, in a separate race) compete carrying a hundredweight of coal (51kg) uphill from the Royal Oak pub in Owl Lane to the maypole in the high street (1.3km)

• Easter Monday

Shrovetide Skipping, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

When the Pancake Bell is rung at noon, the town takes to the South Foreshore for skipping in great lines with long ropes, plus a few pancake races

• Shrove Tuesday

South

The Bognor Birdman, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

In this human-powered flight contest dozens of hopefuls in serious or joke one-man gliding outfits compete for cash. The aim is to reach a set distance after jumping off the end of the pier

• 1 October, birdman.org.uk

Water football, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

A rather wet five-a-side football game on the bed of the river Windrush, which takes place alongside the local fete

• 29 August, bourtoninfo.com

Onion Eating Competition, Newent, Gloucestershire

People taking part are given a 7oz peeled onion – about the size of an apple – and race to see who finishes it first … Plenty of other food and drink and merriment is to be had at this country fair

• 10 September, newentonionfayre.org

Burning the Clocks, Brighton, East Sussex

People gather to make clock lanterns and time-themed figures of paper and willow then make their way through the town to the beach where the sculptures are set on fire amid a massive firework display

• 21 December, burningtheclocks.co.uk

World Championship Snail Racing, Congham, Norfolk

The hallowed centre court, as it were, of snail racing is a damp circle of cloth at Grimston cricket field in Congham. The tiny competitors race from an inner circle to an outer circle, and the winner gets a pewter tankard filled with the best Norfolk lettuce. There's also a fete and a barbecue

• 21 July, snailracing.net

Totnes Orange Race, Devon

In a series of races, entrants chase oranges down High Street and Fore Street

• 23 August, totnesinformation.co.uk

British Lawnmower Association races

• 27,28 August Coneyhurst Farm, Billinghurst, West Sussex; 10,11 September Great Maze, Braintree, Essex, 24-25 September 12-Hour Endurance, Billinghurst; 8-9 October NWLMRA 6-Hour Endurance 4, Nottinghamshire, 15-16 October Bat and Ball, Billinghurst; blmra.co.uk/events

Mud Race, Maldon, Essex

A 400m dash for charity, in often icy conditions, through the waist-deep oozing mud of the Blackwater river in Essex, the participants' shoes gaffer-taped to their legs

• Winter and spring – dates vary, maldonmudrace.com

Mangold Hurling Championships, Sherston, Wiltshire

Contestants stand with both feet in a pitching basket and hurl a mangold or mangelwurzel at the Norman – another mangold, which acts as the target. The thrower whose mangold lands closest to the Norman is the winner. This sport has an international following

• 2 October

Somerset carnivals

The start of a West Country seasonal obsession of amazing complexity, involving a myriad illuminated floats that can cost up to £20,000, with hundreds of bulbs, forming an astounding mile-and-a-half long procession

• 20 August–14 November, somersetcarnivals.co.uk

World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys

More than 200 entrants swim 60 yards through stinking black water outside Neuadd Arms Hotel, in Llanwrtyd Wells. Dress "smart, no jeans, plus flippers and snorkel of course"

• 28 August

Walrus Dip, Cefn Sidan beach, Carmarthenshire

Shivering members of the public come along in fancy dress to take the plunge into the sea, usually around 11am

• Boxing Day

Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Shetland

A Viking boat, complete with dragon's head on the prow and dozens of Vikings in horned helmets, is paraded through the streets by guizers (men in Viking dress). The parade ends with the guizers throwing their blazing torches on to the galley, which goes up in flames as the revellers dance into the night

• Last Tuesday in January, uphellyaa.org

Old Christmas, Foula, Shetland

On the island of Foula, Christmas is still celebrated as it was before the calendar was changed in the 18th century, on 6 January. New Year is celebrated a week later on 13 January

• 6 January

Burning the Clavie, Burghead, Morayshire

A whisky barrel is filled with tar and wood chips and set ablaze then rolled through the streets, bringing good luck to anyone who can seize a firebrand. It then is set on a special stone pillar to burn before being brought to earth and smashed to pieces by hundreds of spectators

• 11 January

Alternative Scottish Games, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway

Games played here include Gird 'n' Cleek (bowling a large metal hoop along with a rod) and Spinning the Peerie (whirling a top with string), plus Hurlin' the Curlin' Stane, Flingin' the Herd's Bunnet and Balmaclellan skittles

• First Sunday of August, unless the 1st is a Sunday

World Tin Bath Championships, Castletown, Isle of Man

For more than 40 years competitors have raced across the middle harbour paddling tin baths

• Between June and August

This is an edited extract from Ben Le Vay's Eccentric Britain, Bradt Travel Guides, £13.59 from guardianbookshop.co.uk