The UK’s most unique bonfire night firework display that’s 100% worth travelling for in 2023
The bar-raising Guy Fawkes celebration marks a cultural shift in expectations and could extinguish your desires to go anywhere else…
Mesmerising and modern, this game-changing bonfire night is set in leafy but well connected Bucks and it’ll blow your mind. Whether you’ve had enough of poor quality hot dogs affront the same old snap crackle and pop, or you’ve heard the rumours… here’s all you need to know about the UK’s coolest new bonfire night that’s selling out faster and faster each year.
Tucked away on a farm just past Silverstone racetrack is Blackpit brewery. The site is not only home to the five star music festival ‘Stowaway’, but also the maverick of all firework events too…
Classy and understated, the Stowe firework display sits nestled deep in the mystical countryside and is fast becoming the most epic firework display the UK has to offer. It may not be the biggest (3,500 braved the rain this year) but what it lacks in size it makes up for with it's daringly euphoric artistry.
The family event saw the return of their signature fire sculpture, which was brought to life with epic 3D visuals that were expertly projected onto the burning wooden carcass.
The crowd was silenced and entranced as the expertly curated soundtrack resonated from the huge sound system while the furious flames raged. The unifying effect from the bassy sound waves, the pulsing heat from the feisty-but-controlled flames, it all made for a raw-and-real reset that was quite simply out of this world.
The fire seemed to elevate the crowd through silent sensory exposure. It felt like a there was a hushed connectedness, mass appreciation of feeling something so much bigger than oneself. It was grounding, without wanting to sound too Hoxton, too cliché.
The mesmerising toppling of the fire sculpture as it crumbled so elegantly was punctured by one of the most unique firework displays I’ve ever seen. And with the team behind London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the helm, it was hardly surprising.
The greens, pinks, silvers, “the fireworks with smileys in”, the children whizz-pop-banging with excitement. One excited five year old girl kept saying, “I really like fireworks daddy!” and “happy new year!”, a cute reminder of just how important shared wonderment is…
The young girl was right too, it really did feel like a “new year”. A new year for firework traditions anyway, out with the old in with the new.
The last few years we’ve stayed local soaking up the super traditional atmosphere while trying to avoid drunk teens, overpriced fairground rides, or worse still fireworks being set off to awful music.
This entirely unique bonfire night event is the perfect antidote to dated firework hell. Here you’ll find a cool and kooky crowd enjoying ale brewed on site, sensational street food and space, enough of the stuff that you wont feel like you’re in a stressful airport departures lounge.
Nothing against traditional local events, but this aint no rotary affair. The meditative feeling I had while watching the huge hand-built fire sculpture burn, made me wonder if the Guy Fawkes bar could be raised higher than this.
No matter where you live, this incredible underground arts event is a must-experience night, especially if you value creativity, beats, pyrotechnics, projections, real ale, incredible food, and a fun families vibes.
If, like me, all of the above light your fire, then you might think its worth going driving then distance for, and I would 100% agree. If I was more organised and from out of town, I would have booked myself into a nearby hotel and made a weekend of it.
The countryside surrounding Blackpit brewery is some of the best in the UK and the brewed on site beer — well lets just say it’s beautifully moreish.
WARNING: This uplifting and modern take on firework night might alter your 5thNovember plans forever…don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Where: “The event takes place on the Blackpit Brewery site. A vast green space with a beautiful lake surrounded by ancient woodland.” MK18 5LJ
When: 2023 — (Date to be confirmed)
Cost: £19 for adults, Children 15 and under FREE (2023 Cost tbc)
