Beating the Bounds is back for 2024! Find out the details and watch the 2023 video here!

In 2023, to end Dorchester Walking Festival, the people of Dorchester took to the streets to “Beat the Bounds” of the old Roman Walls! We were joined by the Town Crier and Tatterdemalion. The walk included mummers, folk musicians, romans, and of course the lovely townsfolk. Everyone made lots of noise with pots, pans, drums, whistles, and more.

The Beating of the Bounds is an ancient tradition,  derived from a Roman festival dedicated to Terminus, god of landmarks. Congregations would walk around the boundaries of each parish on Ascension Day, noting any changes. It was a time to bless the crops and the farmers who work the land – usually celebrated with offerings of cake and wine and dancing!

Photo from Dorchester Civic Society

Beating the Bounds is back again in 2024! Watch the video from 2023 below and find out more about this years event.