About

Each year at the Gower Heritage Centre, the traditional Gower Wassail brings together a lively torch-lit procession filled with music, folklore, and community spirit. Participants parade through the site carrying the iconic Mari Lwyd — decorated horse-skulls mounted on poles — accompanied by bells, drums, and voices raised in song. The procession "wakes" the orchard's apple trees, symbolically blessing them for a healthy and fruitful year ahead, while fire performers and folk musicians add to the vibrant mid-winter atmosphere.

When the procession reaches the orchard, the celebration continues with the sharing of warm wassail drinks, traditional songs such as The Gower Wassail, and Morris-style dancing. The blend of ancient custom and contemporary festivity creates an experience that feels both magical and rooted in local heritage. Families, performers, and visitors gather among the historic mill buildings, turning the Gower Wassail into one of the Heritage Centre's most anticipated and spirited annual events.