HOW TO…

CELEBRATE
ST GEORGE’S DAY
CONTENTS
Introduction: Why celebrate?

Chapter 1: Fascinating facts

Chapter 2: Getting the ball rolling

Chapter 3: Celebrating with children

Chapter 4: Festive food

Chapter 5: Festive drinks

Chapter 6: Days out worth talking about:

St George’s Day celebrations for the family
WHY CELEBRATE?
St George has been the patron saint of England for more than 700 years but
according to a survey by English Heritage more people celebrate Bonfire Night
than St George’s Day. St George, best known for slaying the dragon in 13th
century folklore, represents the triumph of good over evil. His reputation for
virtue, chivalry, honour and valour are attributes which have traditionally
characterised the English and should be championed and celebrated.

St George’s Day is the 23rd April and in most regions of England the day passes
without celebration. In contrast, many other countries around the world go to
great lengths to celebrate their national days. The Irish would not dream of
letting St Patrick’s Day pass by unmarked, no matter where they are and
in Oz, Australia Day is the biggest day of celebration of the year.

As the custodian of some of England’s most important landmarks

and buildings, English Heritage is encouraging more of us to join
together on this important day, whether at work, school or at
home, to remember our national saint. As a nation, we have a
lot to be proud of, from our beautiful countryside and
architecture to the historical figures that played an important
part in making England what it is today.

This guide is full of tips on how to celebrate our national day, from
party games to festive fayre and family days out where you can meet St George for yourself!
1. FASCINATING FACTS
1) Although he’s the patron saint of England, St. George was born in Cappadocia (now known as
Turkey) in 270 AD, over 1700 years ago.

2) Throughout the 1500s, St George’s Day was one of the biggest feast days of the year and was as
important as Christmas on the English calendar.

3) St George was given his sainthood when he was killed by the Roman army for refusing to
persecute Christians. He has since been honoured as an example of bravery in standing up for
the poor and defenceless, and is the patron saint of soldiers.

4) During the 12th century, King Richard I prayed to St George for protection and is known to have
used the banner of St George during the Holy Crusades.

5) St George became England’s patron saint during the reign of King Edward III (1327 – 1377)
when King Edward III adopted St George as patron of his new order of knights called the
Knights of the Garter, which remains one of the highest orders of knighthood to this day.

6) The legend of St George slaying the dragon was popularised by William Caxton’s The Gold
Legend in 1483, a translation of a book by Jacobus de Voragine, incorporating fantastic details
of Saints’ lives.

7) St George embraces many cultures: he is patron saint of 12 countries and regions including
Canada, Ethiopia, Greece, Palestine, Russia, Catalonia and Aragon. Many of these other countries
and regions frequently put us to shame with their celebrations e.g. in Barcelona men traditionally
give their girlfriends a rose, girls present their knights in shining armour with a book.

8) St George is also the patron saint of butchers, farmers, scouts and archers and is said to help
those suffering with leprosy, skin diseases and the plague.

9) St George died on 23rd April, the day we now celebrate, which is also Shakespeare’s birthday.

10) Shakespeare’s famous and often quoted ‘Battle of Agincourt’ speech includes the inspiring battle
call used by Henry V to rally his troops: Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge, Cry God for Harry,
England and St George!’ (Henry V, Act Three, Scene 1)
2. GETTING THE BALL ROLLING
We send cards and invitations to celebrate key calendar dates and this year English Heritage has
commissioned a St George’s Day ecard to help get your party underway.

The card is available to download free of charge from www.english-heritage.org.uk/stgeorgesday

3. CELEBRATING WITH CHILDREN
If you’re looking for after school activities we’ve adapted a range of traditional games to give them a novel St George’s Day twist:
CONQUER THE DRAGON PIÑATA
Face the deadly dragon and uncover its secret treasure!
What you will need: A ready-made dragon piñata
(which can be purchased from party stockists) and
something to hit it with such as a bat or a stick.
A piñata is a container usually made from papier
mâché and shaped like a popular or traditional
character. It has been used for hundreds of years in
Latin America to celebrate special occasions and is
filled with treats (such as sweets or toys). The origin of
the piñata is often disputed and varies from Spain to
China, and from Mexico to ancient Greece.
1. Purchase a ready-made dragon piñata or the make
your own from papier mâché
2. Hang the piñata from a tree branch, beam, climbing
frame or any other suitable hanging place, at a
height that will allow the piñata to swing freely and
where all participants (of varying heights and
ages!) can reach it with the stick
3. Each person will take it in turn to be blindfolded
and will be given three goes at hitting the piñata
with a bat or stick. To make it more of a challenge,
the participant could also be turned round a
couple of times on the spot
Once the piñata is cracked open, the treasure will
be revealed and can be shared!
DRAGON CHASE
Bravely fight your way past the dragon to be named
the noble champion
What you will need: A group of valiant participants
1. Select one person to be the dragon. The other
players can choose to be either a knight or a
princess.
2. Line the knights and princesses up on one side.
The ferocious dragon stands a few metres away
3. When the dragon shouts “Fire, fire”, everyone
must run down to the other side of the garden
and past him whilst he tries to catch someone
4. Whoever is caught is turned into a dragon and
becomes his partner. Together they try to catch
more people when the knights and princesses
have to run the other way
5. The game continues until there is one person left
to catch and he or she is crowned the champion.
GEORGE, GEORGE, DRAGON (derived from Duck,
Duck, Goose)
Can brave St George escape the angry wrath of the
dragon?
What you will need: Energetic players
1. Get everyone except one person to sit in a circle
facing each other
2. The remaining person must walk round the circle
tapping each person on the head naming them
‘George’, ‘George’, ‘George’ until he chooses
someone by tapping them and saying ‘dragon’
3. The person named as ‘dragon’ jumps up and
chases the ‘tapper’ around the circle
4. The ‘tapper’ has to try to get all the way back to
the dragon’s spot without being caught by the
‘dragon’
5. If the ‘tapper’ is successful, the ‘dragon’ becomes
the new ‘tapper’ and the game continues. But if
the ‘dragon’ catches the ‘tapper’, the ‘tapper’ will
have to continue his or her lonely walk around
the circle.
4. FESTIVE FOOD
Treat your family, friends and yourself with some of England’s best-loved food. Impress your guests with recipes for traditional cheese scones and jam roly-poly or
something more contemporary like England’s favourite dish, curry!
BEER BATTERED FISH
Serves 6
A British Classic - try making your own with this easy
to follow recipe
Ingredients: 6 portions of medium thick white fish
fillets, 50g seasoned flour, 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley,
oil for deep frying
For the Beer Batter: 100g self-raising flour, half tsp
salt, pinch turmeric, 150ml traditional English beer
such as Wells Bombardier, very cold water
1. Mix together the flour, salt and turmeric
2. Add the beer a little by little to make a smooth
coating batter - if it is still a little thick when you’ve
added all the beer, add a drop of very cold water
3. Add the fresh parsley and whisk briskly, then rest
for an hour
4. Wash the fish fillets, dry thoroughly on kitchen
towel and cover lightly in the seasoned flour
5. Heat the deep fat fryer to 180OC and give the
batter a final whisk
6. Coat the fish in batter and fry for 10 -15 minutes
until crisp and golden
7. Drain and serve with chips and mushy peas for a
really traditional treat
Blanched carrot batons, broccoli florets, cauliflower
florets and thickly cut onions can be used in place of
the fish.
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
Serves 4
Be a dragon this St George’s day and put some fire in
your belly!
Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken breasts, 2.5 cm fresh
finely chopped ginger root, 2 finely chopped garlic
cloves, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 pinch salt and fresh
ground black pepper, 1 bunch chopped coriander, the
juice of one lime, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 red chilli
seeded and finely chopped, 1 tsp ground turmeric,
300ml double cream, lemon juice, vegetable oil
1. Mix together the ginger, garlic, chilli, salt, pepper,
coriander, lime juice and one tablespoon of oil
2. Cut the chicken breasts into cubes and add to this
mixture
3. Place in a saucepan and cook for 8-10 minutes
until the chicken is no longer pink
4. In another pan, fry the onion and chilli until they
start turning brown
5. Add the turmeric and cook for 1 minute then stir
in the cream and cook gently for a couple of
minutes
6. Add the spiced chicken to the creamy sauce and
simmer for 5 minutes
7. Check the seasoning and add lemon juice to taste.
TOAD IN THE HOLE IN LIGHT BEER BATTER
Serves 4
If you can’t handle a whole dragon why not try a toad
instead.
Ingredients: 4 beef sausages or vegetarian sausages,
cooking fat or oil
Beer batter: 175g plain flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 large eggs,
175ml milk, 175ml traditional English beer such as
Wells Bombardier
1. Preheat the oven to 220OC
2. Beat the batter ingredients together until it is
smooth
3. Prick the sausages and place in individual pudding
tins with a little cooking fat or oil
4. Place towards the top of the oven and cook until
the fat is smoking
5. Remove from the oven and pour in
the batter until the tins are two
thirds full
6. Return to the oven and cook until
they are well risen and brown
7. Serve with onion gravy and
perhaps a chilled glass of Wells
Bombardier.
CHEESE SCONES
Makes 10
For a tea time celebration these scones take some
beating.
Ingredients: 500g self raising flour, 10g baking
powder, 125g butter, 125g grated cheese, 250ml milk
1. Preheat the oven to 180OC
2. Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl
and rub in the butter
3. Add the milk all at once and stir into a soft dough
4. Roll out onto a floured surface
5. Cut into the desired shapes and place on greased
baking tray
6. Place in oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
BAKED JAM ROLY-POLY
Serves 8
Traditional English comfort food at its best.
Ingredients: 250g self raising flour, pinch of salt, 125g
shredded suet, 14 tablespoons of cold water, 6
tablespoons of warmed jam of your choice
1. Preheat the oven to 190OC
2. Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl and stir in the
suet mix
3. Add the water to make dough and knead until it
leaves the side of the bowl
4. Roll out the dough into an oblong shape about ½
inch thick
5. Spread the jam over the dough leaving a 2cm gap
around the edges
6. Roll up from one long side to the other
positioning the join underneath
7. Place on a baking tray in the oven for around 30
minutes until golden brown.
5. FESTIVE DRINKS
Historically wine was very much a status symbol (the stronger and sweeter the better) and many people would have drunk watered down wine. If you don’t fancy
watering down your usual Cabernet or Merlot, why not stick to a traditional beer such as Wells Bombardier or try some of our exciting cocktails?

The Dragon Slayer (alcohol free) George’s Poison (adults only!) Traditional style lager
Refreshing enough to tame even the fiercest fire- Drink a toast to St George with this dangerous tipple For those who prefer a refreshing beer get your hands
breather! named in his honour on some Wells Bombardier,
the Drink of England. Brewed
Ingredients: 40 ml syrup, 50 - 60 ml ginger beer, 20 Ingredients: 3 parts lemonade, 2 parts ginger beer, 2 in Bedford by Wells and
ml fresh lime juice and a scoop of Cornish Cream ice- parts Pimms, 1 part gin, ice, fresh mint leaves, sliced Young’s Brewery it’s rich
cream (optional) apples, oranges, lemons, cucumber and strawberries copper colour and
refreshing flavour makes it
1. Measure all the ingredients, add ice, shake well, and
a regional favourite.
pour into a tall glass. 1. Measure all ingredients.
2. Sweeten to taste with syrup. 2. Pour out 2 parts Pimms and 1 part gin.
3. Top with a scoop of Cornish ice-cream. 3. Add ice.
4. Add 3 parts lemonade and 2 parts ginger beer.
5. Gradually add mint leaves and fruit slices to taste.
6. Serve in a wide brimmed glass.
6. DAYS OUT WORTH TALKING ABOUT
If a family day out rather than a party at home is what you’re looking for, look no further! Every year English Heritage celebrates the life of our patron saint in style by
staging a host of events around the country, starting on Saturday 19 April. The events vary in size from fun trails to dramatic festivals with George taking on the dragon in a
traditional duel.
THE ULTIMATE ST GEORGE’S DAY FESTIVAL
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire (Tel: 01525 860152)
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April, 10am – 6pm
Join us for the biggest St George’s Day extravaganza
in the country, with dramatic equestrian displays,
falconry, children’s theatre and a historic craft
market. Try traditional games, make mischief with
our jugglers or visit the living history camps. Root
for St George as he battles it out with the dastardly
dragon at this fun filled family event.
Prices: Adults £11.00/ Concessions £8.80/
Children £5.50/ Family Ticket £27.50 (Pre-booking
recommended – Tel: 0870 333 1183)
English Heritage Members: Adults £5.50/ Concessions
£4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier
ST GEORGE’S DAY – DRAGON HUNTING
Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens, Northumberland (Tel:
01661 881636)
Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 April & Saturday 26 –
Sunday 27 April
Calling all dragon hunters! St George needs your
help to find all the mini model dastardly dragons
before they distress the damsels! Your dragon-
hunting skills will be rewarded with a small prize.
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children
£3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE – WITH A TWIST IN THE TALE
Carlisle Castle, Northumberland (Tel: 01228
591922)
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April, shows at 11.30am,
1.30pm & 3.30pm
In honour of England’s patron saint, St George, we
invite you to join Inner State Theatre with their
distinctive rendition of the encounter between St
George and a passing dragon. With a surprising
twist in the dragon’s tale!
Prices: Adults £4.50/ Concessions £3.60/ Children
£2.30
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE IN MEDIEVAL COURTLY COMBAT
Beeston Castle & Woodland Park
Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 April from 11.30am
In honour of St George we invite you to witness
the clash of steel as the medieval knights perform a
medieval ‘Tournament of Foote’. Plus, try your hand
at the noble art of archery (small extra charge
applies).
Prices Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.50/ Children
£3.00
English Heritage members free
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier
MEDIEVAL ST GEORGES WEEKEND – HAVE A
GO ARCHERY
Richmond Castle, Yorkshire (Tel: 01748 822493)
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 April from 11am
Our 14th-century archers demonstrate the noble
art of archery in honour of St George, with have-a-
go sessions for adults and children. Plus, join our
storyteller in the keep.
Prices: Adults £4.00/Concessions £3.20/Children
£2.00
English Heritage members free
ST GEORGE THE ROMAN
Housesteads Roman Fort, Northumberland
(Telephone: 01434 344363)
Saturday 19 April and Sunday 20 April, from 11am
Legend has it that the mysterious St George was a
Roman soldier who stood up against his Emperor.
You too can experience life as a Roman soldier with
our Centurion who will teach you military drill and
put you through your paces.
Prices: Adults £4.50/ Concessions £3.60/ Children
£2.30
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE’S WEEKEND
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 11am – 5pm
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire (Telephone: 01926
852078)
Marvel at medieval-themed falconry displays with
Raphael Falconry and meet a medieval St George
and Dragon!
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children
£3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier
MEDIEVAL ST GEORGE’S DAY
Lindisfarne Priory, Northumberland (Telephone:
01289 389200)
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, from 11am
Join the medieval townsfolk as they celebrate St
George’s Day with demonstrations of archery skills
and feasting. Then greet St George, as he faces a
Saracen knight, and his famous foe, the dragon.
Prices: Adults £5.00/ Concessions £4.00/ Children
£2.50
English Heritage Members: Free
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier

A MEDIEVAL ST GEORGE’S DAY
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire (Telephone: 01246
822844)
Sunday 20 April, 11am – 4pm
Celebrate St George’s Day with our medieval
knights as they demonstrate skilled combat displays.
Children can also take part in a ‘kids’ drill’ and hear
traditional tales of St George.
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £5.60/ Children
£3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier
A VICTORIAN ST GEORGE’S WEEKEND ST GEORGE’S DAY CHILDREN’S TRAILS
Scarborough Castle, Yorkshire (Telephone: 01723 Calling all dragon hunters! St George needs your
372451) help to find all the dastardly dragons before they
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, from 11am distress the damsels! Selected English Heritage
Make way for the grand pageant of St George in the properties have been overrun by dragons hiding
presence of her majesty – Queen Victoria! Join the among the ruins and budding dragon slayers are
Redcoat soldiers and musicians as they celebrate St needed to help find the small dragon figurines as
George’s Day with military drill, rifle firing and a part of special St
pageant in his honour. Meet St George, mounted in George’s Day
celebrations.
shining armour as he faces a Saracen knight and the
dragon in a play to entertain the Queen. An exciting
Whilst on the trail,
range of children’s have-a-go activities and a series
visitors will learn
of Victorian music performances throughout the
day, plus a chance to meet Queen Victoria, make this fun facts about
a thrilling day out for the whole family. England’s patron
saint and the
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concessions £3.20/ £2.00/ chivalrous age in
Family Ticket £10.00 which he lived.
English Heritage Members: Free Prospective knights
This event is supported by Wells Bombardier will also receive a
special sticker in
recognition of their
valour and bravery.
ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON TRAIL
Old Wardour Castle, Wiltshire (Tel: 01747 870487)
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April, 10am – 5pm
Prices: Adults £3.50/ Concessions £2.80/ Children
£1.80
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON TRAIL
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 11am – 5pm (Tel:
01799 522399)
Prices: Adults £5.00/ Concessions £3.80/ Children
£2.50/ Family Ticket £12.50
English Heritage Members: Free
(Prices include entry to the garden. House entry is
extra)
ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON TRAIL
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk (Tel: 01728 724189)
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 11am – 5pm
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children
£2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE’S DAY DRAGON TRAIL
Belsay Hall Castle & Gardens, Northumberland (Tel:
01661 881636)
Saturday 19- Sunday 20 April & Saturday 26 &
Sunday 27 April, from 10am
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children
£3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free
ST GEORGE’S DAY CHILDREN’S CHALLENGE
Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
(Tel: 01424 775705)
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 10am – 5pm
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children
£3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free
For further information, call the English Heritage site
or visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/stgeorgesday