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Rituals: A Folk Journey Through the Seasons
Travel along with actor and podcaster Tim Downie as he explores the strange and beautiful places that have shaped British folklore.
Tim brings to life the mystical stories that shape the character of our countryside. Push through the bramble and briar to embark on a journey through the seasons, encountering wonders from clowns to coffins, horn dances to blazing tar barrels, punkies to soulcakers.
Filled with detailed insights into hidden mythic sites and stories from the incredible people that keep our folklore fires burning year after year, this book is an invitation to step outside and reconnect with the ebb and flow of the natural world. Rituals reveals how British folklore’s rich tapestry breathes life and power into every season.
Tim brings to life the mystical stories that shape the character of our countryside. Push through the bramble and briar to embark on a journey through the seasons, encountering wonders from clowns to coffins, horn dances to blazing tar barrels, punkies to soulcakers.
Filled with detailed insights into hidden mythic sites and stories from the incredible people that keep our folklore fires burning year after year, this book is an invitation to step outside and reconnect with the ebb and flow of the natural world. Rituals reveals how British folklore’s rich tapestry breathes life and power into every season.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
Hardcover
Published October 22, 2026
About the author
Tim Downie
2 books18 followersTim Downie is an actor and podcaster. As an actor, he has starred in productions as varied as Outlander, Paddington and The Kings Speech as well as cult hits Upstart Crow, Toast of London, Good Omens and Geek Girl. He also made his gaming debut in the multi-award winning Baldur's Gate 3.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for the ARC from the author and NetGalley.
As a British Pagan who studied History at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, this book was right up my street!
There’s something special about a non-fiction book that can make you feel as though you’re wandering through the countryside rather than simply reading about it. That’s exactly what Tim manages to achieve here. His writing is informative without ever feeling clinical, bringing these rituals and traditions to life in a way that feels wonderfully immersive.
I loved the balance between exploring the history behind each ritual and looking at what these traditions mean in a modern context. The seasonal structure worked particularly well too, giving the book a gentle rhythm and making it feel like a journey through the entire year — one that eventually brings you right back to where you started.
And the illustrations! I’m not sure who the illustrator was, but there are a handful throughout the book that are absolutely beautiful and fit the atmosphere perfectly.
A genuinely lovely read, full of history, tradition and a little bit of magic. And it gave me one of my favourite quotes I’ve read in a long time:
“Magic is never that far away for those who would seek it out”
Thank you for the ARC from the author and NetGalley.
As a British Pagan who studied History at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, this book was right up my street!
There’s something special about a non-fiction book that can make you feel as though you’re wandering through the countryside rather than simply reading about it. That’s exactly what Tim manages to achieve here. His writing is informative without ever feeling clinical, bringing these rituals and traditions to life in a way that feels wonderfully immersive.
I loved the balance between exploring the history behind each ritual and looking at what these traditions mean in a modern context. The seasonal structure worked particularly well too, giving the book a gentle rhythm and making it feel like a journey through the entire year — one that eventually brings you right back to where you started.
And the illustrations! I’m not sure who the illustrator was, but there are a handful throughout the book that are absolutely beautiful and fit the atmosphere perfectly.
A genuinely lovely read, full of history, tradition and a little bit of magic. And it gave me one of my favourite quotes I’ve read in a long time:
“Magic is never that far away for those who would seek it out”
Want to Read
September 22, 2025when you're too early for an announcement that you have to create the goodreads page for the book. anyway, i am a HUGE fan of tim's work both professionally and his fun clips on tiktok.
IM SO EXCITED!!!!!
IM SO EXCITED!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fascinating journey through rituals that take place in the British Isles throughout the year. Some are well known, and some are pretty much unknown to all but a few, and some just downright bizarre, (The Hunting of the Earl of Rone). We Get a history of the events as well as descriptions of today's version. I hadn't realised that the Lewes bonfires one-day Guy Fawkes, and actually go back to martyrs being burned at the stake, or anything about the bonfire societies over Sussex. I would love to attend one year. One day, I'd also like to get to the Lottery At Mary Tar barrel running, (basically the ceremonies involving fire, as many of the autumn ceremonies do).
The author has a podcadt, Folklands, which I will be listening to, this book has certainly piqued my interest.
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
The author has a podcadt, Folklands, which I will be listening to, this book has certainly piqued my interest.
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
Want to Read
October 1, 2026GALE DEKARIOS!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Rituals: A Folk Journey Through the Seasons by Tim Downie
Rating: ★★★★☆
First of all, this book has such a gorgeous cover, it immediately gives off the same warm, inviting feeling as the pages inside. Reading Rituals felt a bit like receiving a cozy hug, or being invited on a long walk through the British countryside with someone who knows all the hidden paths and stories along the way.
Actor and podcaster Tim Downie travels across Britain, visiting the unusual landscapes and communities connected to the country’s folklore. Moving through the seasons, he explores traditions ranging from horn dances and blazing tar-barrel ceremonies to punkies, soulcakers, clowns and coffins. Alongside the rituals themselves, he introduces the people who preserve them and explains the myths, history and local character woven into each practice.
What I enjoyed most was how immersive the book felt. Rather than simply presenting information, Downie makes it seem as though you are trudging through hedgerows, standing among villagers at a seasonal celebration or discovering a forgotten mythical site for yourself. His writing is informative and thoughtful without becoming overly academic, and he has a real talent for making these customs feel alive.
I also appreciated the way he connects the history of each ritual with its place in modern life. These traditions aren’t treated as dusty relics; they are shown as living expressions of community, memory and our relationship with the natural world. The structure worked especially well, too. Following the turning of the year gives the book a calm, natural rhythm, creating the sense of a circular journey.
This was a lovely read filled with history, tradition, fascinating characters and just enough mystery to make me want to step outside and look at the landscape differently. I occasionally wished for a little more depth in certain sections, but overall, Rituals is a charming and atmospheric exploration of British folklore—and a wonderful reminder that magic can still be found in ordinary seasonal traditions.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: ★★★★☆
First of all, this book has such a gorgeous cover, it immediately gives off the same warm, inviting feeling as the pages inside. Reading Rituals felt a bit like receiving a cozy hug, or being invited on a long walk through the British countryside with someone who knows all the hidden paths and stories along the way.
Actor and podcaster Tim Downie travels across Britain, visiting the unusual landscapes and communities connected to the country’s folklore. Moving through the seasons, he explores traditions ranging from horn dances and blazing tar-barrel ceremonies to punkies, soulcakers, clowns and coffins. Alongside the rituals themselves, he introduces the people who preserve them and explains the myths, history and local character woven into each practice.
What I enjoyed most was how immersive the book felt. Rather than simply presenting information, Downie makes it seem as though you are trudging through hedgerows, standing among villagers at a seasonal celebration or discovering a forgotten mythical site for yourself. His writing is informative and thoughtful without becoming overly academic, and he has a real talent for making these customs feel alive.
I also appreciated the way he connects the history of each ritual with its place in modern life. These traditions aren’t treated as dusty relics; they are shown as living expressions of community, memory and our relationship with the natural world. The structure worked especially well, too. Following the turning of the year gives the book a calm, natural rhythm, creating the sense of a circular journey.
This was a lovely read filled with history, tradition, fascinating characters and just enough mystery to make me want to step outside and look at the landscape differently. I occasionally wished for a little more depth in certain sections, but overall, Rituals is a charming and atmospheric exploration of British folklore—and a wonderful reminder that magic can still be found in ordinary seasonal traditions.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a lovely 'ramble' across the UK as the author explores the rituals and quirky ceremonies that take place throughout the year, that keep us connected to our history and traditions!
Some of the rituals I'd heard about before, but many were new to me so it was wonderful to see the different kinds of things that take place and the history behind them all, alongside the kinds of people still participating and keeping the history alive, so to speak! It's nice to hear about the locals pride in these rituals and the author seemed to have a fun time observing and chatting to everyone he met! He writes with humour and respect and hopefully this book will reach some of the younger members of each community who can start to volunteer to take part so these long traditions won't be lost in the future! Beautiful front cover too!
Some of the rituals I'd heard about before, but many were new to me so it was wonderful to see the different kinds of things that take place and the history behind them all, alongside the kinds of people still participating and keeping the history alive, so to speak! It's nice to hear about the locals pride in these rituals and the author seemed to have a fun time observing and chatting to everyone he met! He writes with humour and respect and hopefully this book will reach some of the younger members of each community who can start to volunteer to take part so these long traditions won't be lost in the future! Beautiful front cover too!
September 3, 2026
“Magic is never that far away for those who would seek it out.”
I’ve been so excited for this book and Tim did not disappoint! I’m a fan of his and Justin Chubb’s podcast, “FolkLands”, so I was hoping the book would have a similar feeling to the show and indeed it does. “Rituals” is the modern counterpart of the Reader’s Digest “Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain” that Tim and Justin based their podcast on.
Sometimes non-fiction can feel clinical, even if it’s about mythical subjects. However, Tim’s prose was both informative and illustrative. You feel like you’re traversing the countryside and learning about these traditions along with him. The book is a good balance of the history behind each ritual and what each one looks like in a modern context. I liked that the rituals were organized according to the seasons; it helped make the whole book a full-circle journey.
Tim’s descriptions of the setting for each ritual plus the interactions with locals painted a full picture. I’m seriously considering trips to some of the destinations mentioned in the book, especially to Beltane in Edinburgh and the Druid Spring Equinox Ceremony in London.
I’d also like to highlight the gorgeous cover and the illustrations inside. I love that they emulate linocut art; it really lends to the feeling that this is a book about something traditional and mythical.
If you like myths, magic and folklore then this book is for you! I’ve pre-ordered and can’t wait to get my hands on my physical copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I’ve been so excited for this book and Tim did not disappoint! I’m a fan of his and Justin Chubb’s podcast, “FolkLands”, so I was hoping the book would have a similar feeling to the show and indeed it does. “Rituals” is the modern counterpart of the Reader’s Digest “Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain” that Tim and Justin based their podcast on.
Sometimes non-fiction can feel clinical, even if it’s about mythical subjects. However, Tim’s prose was both informative and illustrative. You feel like you’re traversing the countryside and learning about these traditions along with him. The book is a good balance of the history behind each ritual and what each one looks like in a modern context. I liked that the rituals were organized according to the seasons; it helped make the whole book a full-circle journey.
Tim’s descriptions of the setting for each ritual plus the interactions with locals painted a full picture. I’m seriously considering trips to some of the destinations mentioned in the book, especially to Beltane in Edinburgh and the Druid Spring Equinox Ceremony in London.
I’d also like to highlight the gorgeous cover and the illustrations inside. I love that they emulate linocut art; it really lends to the feeling that this is a book about something traditional and mythical.
If you like myths, magic and folklore then this book is for you! I’ve pre-ordered and can’t wait to get my hands on my physical copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Read
October 19, 2026Can't keep my hands off a folklore book, especially one that follows the seasonal calendar. I reviewed Britain's Folklore Year: A seasonal journey through our customs, celebrations and rituals last summer and loved it. This follows a similar structure but is far more of a personal account. Downie takes the time to reflect on his own upbringing and how that shapes his perceptions of the events he attends throughout the course of the book. I particularly liked his discussion of how folklore is not required to be ancient, or have deep roots, it can appear from nowhere and still be a valuable part of a culture. This is based around Great Britain (as well as Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency), mostly in England with a toe dipped into Wales and Scotland which makes sense: with a book like this, you could attend a different event every day of the year and still have more to write about. I think after finishing this and Mark Norman's last year, I'm itching for some stories that reach further up into the Hebrides and North-East Scotland, but I had a fantastic time following Downie's adventures around the country
Thank you to NetGalley and Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rituals starts us among the events surrounding the turn of the year: Samhain, winter solstice, Christmas, Yuletide, and Hogmanay. Rich pickings indeed. I mean, even I gave my books some solstice rituals, including pledging allegiance, beating of the bounds and general jollity. Mr Downie takes a closer look, and without getting too involved, identifies roots of pre-Christian celebrations that pepper our ‘Christmas’ rituals.
it’s interesting stuff, entertainingly presented, and is just the beginning of a year’s trip around (mainly) England, picking up traditions, especially odd and less well-known ones, from villages and towns large and small. Mainly small. He freezes in his boots in cold and wet moorland, enjoys a touch too much sun on the beach. He keeps far too warm with close encounters with burning tar barrels, which locals carry through the village streets, yes, burning themselves in the process. The tradition of walking to the fort at Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight, was particularly interesting. I’d not heard of it despite spending a summer there in my youth. At certain states of the tide, you can walk to the fort (which is on a rocky islet) along a natural causeway. Did he succeed in his attempt? You’ll have to read the book.
There is magic and witchcraft behind some of the rituals, others are, in my view, just traditions. I mean, why single out the Doggett Coat and Badge boat race as an obscure ritual of the Guilds, while decrying the University Boat Race? Check out the rituals involved in that (they mostly aren’t televised)! But then, I’ve raced on the Thames, so it’s personal.
And some of the deeper folklore events are deeply personal to those that take part. There are a fair number of Druids encountered along the way. Not all of the events have ancient roots: one village decided to start its own traditional event some thirty years ago, and have been doing it ever since.
There are rich pickings in the book, something for every season, and most levels of interest. Highly recommended.
it’s interesting stuff, entertainingly presented, and is just the beginning of a year’s trip around (mainly) England, picking up traditions, especially odd and less well-known ones, from villages and towns large and small. Mainly small. He freezes in his boots in cold and wet moorland, enjoys a touch too much sun on the beach. He keeps far too warm with close encounters with burning tar barrels, which locals carry through the village streets, yes, burning themselves in the process. The tradition of walking to the fort at Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight, was particularly interesting. I’d not heard of it despite spending a summer there in my youth. At certain states of the tide, you can walk to the fort (which is on a rocky islet) along a natural causeway. Did he succeed in his attempt? You’ll have to read the book.
There is magic and witchcraft behind some of the rituals, others are, in my view, just traditions. I mean, why single out the Doggett Coat and Badge boat race as an obscure ritual of the Guilds, while decrying the University Boat Race? Check out the rituals involved in that (they mostly aren’t televised)! But then, I’ve raced on the Thames, so it’s personal.
And some of the deeper folklore events are deeply personal to those that take part. There are a fair number of Druids encountered along the way. Not all of the events have ancient roots: one village decided to start its own traditional event some thirty years ago, and have been doing it ever since.
There are rich pickings in the book, something for every season, and most levels of interest. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2026
Pssst! You. Yes, you. You're interested in folklore, aren't you? All those curious traditions and rituals that are observed throughout the year, up and down the British Isles? You like reading about them, don't you? Well, pull up a pew, because I've just read such a book, and you're going to want to know all about it. 🐰🐦⬛
Rituals: A Folk Journey Through the Seasons, does exactly what it says on the proverbial tin. Tim Downie takes us on a magical journey through England, and parts of Wales, to towns and villages that uphold centuries old traditions or, in some cases, have begun a revival of traditions that had died out for a time. 🐰🐦⬛
Rituals is an interesting book, as the author gives us a history of the rituals he has seen/taken part in. They are made all the more interesting because this is very much a personal journey for Downie, and he manages to make his account less clinical thanks to a mild infusion of humour. 🐰🐦⬛
The high points of Rituals, for me, were:
Chepstow Wassail
Mari Lywd
Brinsley Coffin Walk
Firing the Fenny Poppers
Soulcaking 🐰🐦⬛
The only downside was that there were no Scottish rituals included. Perhaps Mr. Downie is planning a sequel? 🐰🐦⬛
If you're looking for a fresh new look at folklore in the British Isles, then look no further. Rituals has you covered. 🐰🐦⬛
Thanks to Ebury Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
Rituals: A Folk Journey Through the Seasons, does exactly what it says on the proverbial tin. Tim Downie takes us on a magical journey through England, and parts of Wales, to towns and villages that uphold centuries old traditions or, in some cases, have begun a revival of traditions that had died out for a time. 🐰🐦⬛
Rituals is an interesting book, as the author gives us a history of the rituals he has seen/taken part in. They are made all the more interesting because this is very much a personal journey for Downie, and he manages to make his account less clinical thanks to a mild infusion of humour. 🐰🐦⬛
The high points of Rituals, for me, were:
Chepstow Wassail
Mari Lywd
Brinsley Coffin Walk
Firing the Fenny Poppers
Soulcaking 🐰🐦⬛
The only downside was that there were no Scottish rituals included. Perhaps Mr. Downie is planning a sequel? 🐰🐦⬛
If you're looking for a fresh new look at folklore in the British Isles, then look no further. Rituals has you covered. 🐰🐦⬛
Thanks to Ebury Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a lovely book that lists some of the rituals in the UK. Living in Cornwall, I am aware of many rituals that happen throughout the year, so it was great to see some of them as well as those further afield.
The book has an intro, then goes through the seasons, listing some events that I am aware of, as well as many that I had not come across. The author is present at these festivals, so he can give an "on-the-ground" account of them as he is caught up in the fun, sometimes danger and the joy of welcoming seasons in and out.
Some of the rituals are new, others have been revived, and some have been going on for many, many years. While some are more sedate, others can be frantic, but the overall feeling is one of belonging, a sense of community and a shared enjoyment of the occasion. There will be those who are there for the drinking, but many others are there for the ritual itself.
This is an interesting book that gives the smallest snapshot of some of the varied, mysterious rituals that occur throughout the year. Fascinating, well laid out, and I think the author had a wonderful time experiencing them as his enthusiasm shows in the writing. It is a book that I would be happy to recommend.
The book has an intro, then goes through the seasons, listing some events that I am aware of, as well as many that I had not come across. The author is present at these festivals, so he can give an "on-the-ground" account of them as he is caught up in the fun, sometimes danger and the joy of welcoming seasons in and out.
Some of the rituals are new, others have been revived, and some have been going on for many, many years. While some are more sedate, others can be frantic, but the overall feeling is one of belonging, a sense of community and a shared enjoyment of the occasion. There will be those who are there for the drinking, but many others are there for the ritual itself.
This is an interesting book that gives the smallest snapshot of some of the varied, mysterious rituals that occur throughout the year. Fascinating, well laid out, and I think the author had a wonderful time experiencing them as his enthusiasm shows in the writing. It is a book that I would be happy to recommend.
October 22, 2026
Whilst I enjoyed this book I don’t think it really works as an ARC. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion. I started at well the start and found it unpleasant and boring…. Then I decided to move to the Autumn section. The book is split into the seasons with the author visiting different places in the uk at different points in the year. He has a typical Uk dry sense of humour with running jokes building as you go through. I read the Autumn section and then the rest of the book in one go, it’s an ARC for me and all that. I don’t think this really suits the book, I think it will work far better if you read one chapter a week and maybe any specific chapters that interest you or when you know or are visiting the area.
I enjoyed the Winter and Autumn chapters the most but that could because they had places I knew and they are the current seasons and seasons I really enjoy.
The writing is good, the author has a strong voice that feels very conversational and if you don’t like one story the next one is not far away.
I think this would make an excellent Christmas present, for anyone who enjoys folklore and how we continue to practice some of the traditions, told by some one who is coming to them with fresh eyes and who needs to find a car park before hand! I do wonder if car park planning is so essential in other countries!
I enjoyed the Winter and Autumn chapters the most but that could because they had places I knew and they are the current seasons and seasons I really enjoy.
The writing is good, the author has a strong voice that feels very conversational and if you don’t like one story the next one is not far away.
I think this would make an excellent Christmas present, for anyone who enjoys folklore and how we continue to practice some of the traditions, told by some one who is coming to them with fresh eyes and who needs to find a car park before hand! I do wonder if car park planning is so essential in other countries!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a nice read!
I really enjoyed the way the book is written - it's non-fiction, but reads like fiction, transporting you right into the folklore of it all. You can definitely feel the author's love for the subject and the passion with which he brings it to us. It was interesting to learn more about the traditions, and I personally found that I could relate to similar traditions that we have over at the other end of Europe.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC
I really enjoyed the way the book is written - it's non-fiction, but reads like fiction, transporting you right into the folklore of it all. You can definitely feel the author's love for the subject and the passion with which he brings it to us. It was interesting to learn more about the traditions, and I personally found that I could relate to similar traditions that we have over at the other end of Europe.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC
October 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rituals is a journey through the seasons and folklore of the British Isles and what a journey it was! As someone who loves exploring new places, especially those with that little bit of wyrd about them, this book gave me dozens of new ideas of where to go next.
A non-fiction book packed full of information, but still somehow sweeping me away as if in a story. I really felt like I was with Tim as he made his journey across the land, encountering all sorts of wonderful traditions and events. Intimate, funny, and fascinating, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the folklore and rituals of our little island.
Rituals is a journey through the seasons and folklore of the British Isles and what a journey it was! As someone who loves exploring new places, especially those with that little bit of wyrd about them, this book gave me dozens of new ideas of where to go next.
A non-fiction book packed full of information, but still somehow sweeping me away as if in a story. I really felt like I was with Tim as he made his journey across the land, encountering all sorts of wonderful traditions and events. Intimate, funny, and fascinating, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the folklore and rituals of our little island.
September 30, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!
If you love folklore and community and good homely Britishness (in the affectionate fun way, not the weird scary right-wing way) you’ll love this book. Author Tim Downie takes us on a very personal journey through the seasons of British folklore festivals and community rituals, adding his own humour and personal experience to the history.
Steeped in all the good parts of British humour, this book is a lovely homage to the weird (complimentary) vibes of British community and celebration, both in the deepest darkest countryside village and in the buzzing heart of the capital. There’s great humour and love for other people throughout this book, which really touched me. Downie balances talking about his own experience visiting each ritual, giving us this great sense of place and what it’s like to be ‘on the ground’ during these celebrations, with an overview of the local history of the tradition, the area, and other relevant points. This is not an exhaustive directory of British folklore, and that’s never what it’s trying to be; it’s more the story of one man’s journey through a year of chasing down interesting local traditions to showcase. I thought it adeptly balanced the personal and informative throughout. I also really appreciated the variety of rituals included, and that, while there was naturally a focus on rituals performed near the author’s home since he had to be present at all of them for the whole ‘on the ground experience’ thing to work, he also made time to travel and include some more far afield experiences. Also, I loved the really beautiful illustrations throughout the book that really captured the feel and tone.
Only a couple of things bothered me while reading, one of which was that the prose would in places be a bit too overblown, dramatic, flowery, etc., to the point it was a bit of a chore to read and repeated the same thing in multiple different ways. In contrast, there were some sections where the prose went far too spare and simple, and needed more meat on the bones. The majority of the writing was at a much more pleasing middle point between these two extremes, however.
There were also a few confusing sections in the tales themselves, primarily in the Crossbones Vigil section, where the author starts as if he’s going to explain the site’s history with modern developers and then inexplicably drops the thread completely, and at the end of the Earl of Rone story, where I became totally confused about what was happening. The author describes the villagers letting the “earl” drift out to sea, despite earlier establishing said “earl” was being played by a ten year old - and then immediately after says the audience will have to “see for [themselves]” if the villagers throw the “earl” into the sea… right after describing them doing that? I feel like Downie was attempting to conceal the mystery of what actually happens, but it was written in such a confusing way that I couldn’t make heads or tails of what it was trying to tell me, to reveal or conceal.
Overall though, I had a lot of fun reading this book; there was a sense of joy in community and togetherness that I feel like the world and the UK needs more of today. At a time when it can feel like the old traditions are dying out, this book is a timely and much-needed remedy!
If you love folklore and community and good homely Britishness (in the affectionate fun way, not the weird scary right-wing way) you’ll love this book. Author Tim Downie takes us on a very personal journey through the seasons of British folklore festivals and community rituals, adding his own humour and personal experience to the history.
Steeped in all the good parts of British humour, this book is a lovely homage to the weird (complimentary) vibes of British community and celebration, both in the deepest darkest countryside village and in the buzzing heart of the capital. There’s great humour and love for other people throughout this book, which really touched me. Downie balances talking about his own experience visiting each ritual, giving us this great sense of place and what it’s like to be ‘on the ground’ during these celebrations, with an overview of the local history of the tradition, the area, and other relevant points. This is not an exhaustive directory of British folklore, and that’s never what it’s trying to be; it’s more the story of one man’s journey through a year of chasing down interesting local traditions to showcase. I thought it adeptly balanced the personal and informative throughout. I also really appreciated the variety of rituals included, and that, while there was naturally a focus on rituals performed near the author’s home since he had to be present at all of them for the whole ‘on the ground experience’ thing to work, he also made time to travel and include some more far afield experiences. Also, I loved the really beautiful illustrations throughout the book that really captured the feel and tone.
Only a couple of things bothered me while reading, one of which was that the prose would in places be a bit too overblown, dramatic, flowery, etc., to the point it was a bit of a chore to read and repeated the same thing in multiple different ways. In contrast, there were some sections where the prose went far too spare and simple, and needed more meat on the bones. The majority of the writing was at a much more pleasing middle point between these two extremes, however.
There were also a few confusing sections in the tales themselves, primarily in the Crossbones Vigil section, where the author starts as if he’s going to explain the site’s history with modern developers and then inexplicably drops the thread completely, and at the end of the Earl of Rone story, where I became totally confused about what was happening. The author describes the villagers letting the “earl” drift out to sea, despite earlier establishing said “earl” was being played by a ten year old - and then immediately after says the audience will have to “see for [themselves]” if the villagers throw the “earl” into the sea… right after describing them doing that? I feel like Downie was attempting to conceal the mystery of what actually happens, but it was written in such a confusing way that I couldn’t make heads or tails of what it was trying to tell me, to reveal or conceal.
Overall though, I had a lot of fun reading this book; there was a sense of joy in community and togetherness that I feel like the world and the UK needs more of today. At a time when it can feel like the old traditions are dying out, this book is a timely and much-needed remedy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My God was this book interesting!
Take a trip through the seasons alongside Tim Downie as he explores the weird and wonderful rituals and traditions that shape Britain and its folklore. From ‘Hunting the Earl’ to ‘Coffin Carrying’ via ‘Barrel Rolling’ that has no rolling involved. Downie visits the four corners of the UK to explore these lesser-known celebrations and rituals. Downie explores both the history of the events and what the events look like in this modern age.
I was genuinely surprised by this book – specially as I live quite near one of the events detailed in this book and I had no idea that it existed and it made me wonder why. Why don’t we know more about these rituals? I loved the history of the events and how similar they all were though they differed greatly in distance and time. Horses make frequent appearances as does some kind of person ‘dying’ and being ‘revived’ by a Dr or mystic of some description.
I was alarmed to learn of some of the events – the barrels of flaming tar that are carried through the streets and the copious amounts of burns and scars that the participants bear as a result, I honestly thought the health and safety mob would have stamped down on those! However, it is a weird and wonderful celebration of that village that still lives on today and honestly, it should. If we lose these things, then we lose a little part of ourselves too.
Downie has the incredible ability to write in a way where you feel like you are standing in the damp grass alongside him or sitting in the warm pub at the table too. It is a style of writing that feels like you are being taken by the hand and shown these events rather than just reading about them, and that makes them super accessible for everyone to enjoy. I, for one, will be looking up some local events and going to take part – before they are consigned to history and lost forever.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Take a trip through the seasons alongside Tim Downie as he explores the weird and wonderful rituals and traditions that shape Britain and its folklore. From ‘Hunting the Earl’ to ‘Coffin Carrying’ via ‘Barrel Rolling’ that has no rolling involved. Downie visits the four corners of the UK to explore these lesser-known celebrations and rituals. Downie explores both the history of the events and what the events look like in this modern age.
I was genuinely surprised by this book – specially as I live quite near one of the events detailed in this book and I had no idea that it existed and it made me wonder why. Why don’t we know more about these rituals? I loved the history of the events and how similar they all were though they differed greatly in distance and time. Horses make frequent appearances as does some kind of person ‘dying’ and being ‘revived’ by a Dr or mystic of some description.
I was alarmed to learn of some of the events – the barrels of flaming tar that are carried through the streets and the copious amounts of burns and scars that the participants bear as a result, I honestly thought the health and safety mob would have stamped down on those! However, it is a weird and wonderful celebration of that village that still lives on today and honestly, it should. If we lose these things, then we lose a little part of ourselves too.
Downie has the incredible ability to write in a way where you feel like you are standing in the damp grass alongside him or sitting in the warm pub at the table too. It is a style of writing that feels like you are being taken by the hand and shown these events rather than just reading about them, and that makes them super accessible for everyone to enjoy. I, for one, will be looking up some local events and going to take part – before they are consigned to history and lost forever.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Ebury Spotlight to the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Oh there are so many chapters. Split into seasons, there's about 35 chapters overall, making them relatively short, and I prefer a short chapter. I know it's non-fiction rather than a novel so it doesn't necessarily need as perfect a pace than a story might need, but it did make it easier and quicker to read and added to the excitement that some non-fiction books can miss.
It's about storytelling, the storytelling that nature brings us, and he's weaved that into a story of his own and it was a pleasure to read.
I am not sure who the illustrator was but there are a handful of illustrations that are simply but lovely.
As a cold weather gremlin, I did prefer the sections about winter and autumn, because the descriptions of bad weather and cold and rain and snow etc. just filled me with joy. I don't get the same feelings when reading about hot weather. And I don't know why, but I feel that the very idea of rituals lends itself to winter.
I am in two minds about something and I'm aware it's going to sound off, it does to me too. He's written the history of these rituals through his discover of them when he's been travelling around the country. Now this makes sense, you're seeking them out and giving a first-hand account of them etc. and I'm not sure you'd get that same intimacy if you were stuck in an office. Having said that, I was less interested in how he approached these rituals and more interested in the actual history of them and I felt at times that balance was a bit off.
I believe this is his debut and it's a good one. Some bits I enjoyed more than others, which is usually the case when a non-fiction focusses on more than one thing, but overall I found it interesting and a joy to read.
Oh there are so many chapters. Split into seasons, there's about 35 chapters overall, making them relatively short, and I prefer a short chapter. I know it's non-fiction rather than a novel so it doesn't necessarily need as perfect a pace than a story might need, but it did make it easier and quicker to read and added to the excitement that some non-fiction books can miss.
It's about storytelling, the storytelling that nature brings us, and he's weaved that into a story of his own and it was a pleasure to read.
I am not sure who the illustrator was but there are a handful of illustrations that are simply but lovely.
As a cold weather gremlin, I did prefer the sections about winter and autumn, because the descriptions of bad weather and cold and rain and snow etc. just filled me with joy. I don't get the same feelings when reading about hot weather. And I don't know why, but I feel that the very idea of rituals lends itself to winter.
I am in two minds about something and I'm aware it's going to sound off, it does to me too. He's written the history of these rituals through his discover of them when he's been travelling around the country. Now this makes sense, you're seeking them out and giving a first-hand account of them etc. and I'm not sure you'd get that same intimacy if you were stuck in an office. Having said that, I was less interested in how he approached these rituals and more interested in the actual history of them and I felt at times that balance was a bit off.
I believe this is his debut and it's a good one. Some bits I enjoyed more than others, which is usually the case when a non-fiction focusses on more than one thing, but overall I found it interesting and a joy to read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rituals by Tim Downie is a wonderful celebration of the traditions that make places, seasons and communities feel special. It is a journey through the wonderful and sometimes strange customs and rituals of Britain. From Skipping Day in Scarborough and chaff riddling in Yorkshire, to well dressing in Derbyshire and Mayfield bonfire celebrations, it explores the rich history, folklore and mythical stories behind traditions that have been passed down through generations. I’ve learnt so much from this book. There were so many traditions I had never even heard of, which made every chapter feel like discovering a little piece of Britain I didn’t know existed.
I loved the way the book is divided into four sections — one for each season — beginning with winter and following the rituals chronologically through the year. The storytelling is highly descriptive and immersive, and Downie has a particularly poetic way with words that makes even the most unusual traditions feel magical. His writing draws you into each experience, bringing these rituals vividly to life and creating a strong sense of place. At times, however, his descriptions and experiences can feel a little lengthy.
Reading this book feels like stepping into a collection of old fireside tales — stories of forgotten customs, ancient beliefs and traditions woven into the fabric of Britain. With short, easy-to-read chapters, a gorgeous atmospheric cover and fascinating history, this is a book to dip into and savour. It feels particularly perfect for dark, wintry nights when you want to curl up somewhere cosy and disappear into Britain’s folklore, traditions and stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ebury Spotlight to the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I loved the way the book is divided into four sections — one for each season — beginning with winter and following the rituals chronologically through the year. The storytelling is highly descriptive and immersive, and Downie has a particularly poetic way with words that makes even the most unusual traditions feel magical. His writing draws you into each experience, bringing these rituals vividly to life and creating a strong sense of place. At times, however, his descriptions and experiences can feel a little lengthy.
Reading this book feels like stepping into a collection of old fireside tales — stories of forgotten customs, ancient beliefs and traditions woven into the fabric of Britain. With short, easy-to-read chapters, a gorgeous atmospheric cover and fascinating history, this is a book to dip into and savour. It feels particularly perfect for dark, wintry nights when you want to curl up somewhere cosy and disappear into Britain’s folklore, traditions and stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ebury Spotlight to the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RITUALS: A FOLK JOURNEY THROUGH THE SEASONS sees podcaster Tim Downie exploring the wealth of folklore traditions that persist in modern-day Britain. It's a common topic that sells well these days - as any trip to Waterstones will reveal - but the strength of this title lies in this author's enthusiasm for the material, and his gung-ho approach to documenting the rituals that take place on his journey. Downie is admirably unrestrained when it involves him getting up close and personal with all manner of rural traditions, from pitched battles over the possession of a football to dangerous behaviour with flaming tar barrels. Flesh is torn and fingers and sometimes necks are broken in these often-brutal events, and there's a sense of the journalist about the author almost touching the scrum before him. It's Downie's documentation that makes this an enjoyable read, particularly when many of the traditions he describes are already well documented and will be familiar to anyone with basic knowledge of the subject.
The scope of the book impresses, its contents split into four sections, one for each season, the approach chronological, beginning with cold-weather January events and finishing up as Christmas closes in. Events described include Druidic celebration in London and Beltane worship in Scotland; bottle throwing and well-dressing; the inevitable presence of the spooktacular Mari Lwyd; and all manner of wassailing and frenetic morris dancing. Downie spends half the book down the pub, chatting with fascinating locals, and while I often dislike the personal journeys present in today's non-fiction books, I found that these were my favourite parts of his story.
(Advance review copy supplied by Netgalley)
The scope of the book impresses, its contents split into four sections, one for each season, the approach chronological, beginning with cold-weather January events and finishing up as Christmas closes in. Events described include Druidic celebration in London and Beltane worship in Scotland; bottle throwing and well-dressing; the inevitable presence of the spooktacular Mari Lwyd; and all manner of wassailing and frenetic morris dancing. Downie spends half the book down the pub, chatting with fascinating locals, and while I often dislike the personal journeys present in today's non-fiction books, I found that these were my favourite parts of his story.
(Advance review copy supplied by Netgalley)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Tim Downie and Ebury Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Rituals in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been fascinated by British folklore, old customs and the ways people have marked the changing seasons throughout history, so Rituals was right up my street.
Tim Downie takes us on a journey through Britain’s ritual year, exploring everything from familiar seasonal celebrations to some wonderfully strange and sometimes rather unsettling traditions that have survived for centuries.
I particularly loved the darker folklore woven throughout, especially the old divination practices surrounding St Mark’s Eve, the witchcraft and supernatural beliefs associated with Beltane, and the connections between life, death and the turning seasons. There’s something so fascinating about the beliefs our ancestors held and how traces of them still exist today.
What I enjoyed most was how personal the book felt. Downie doesn’t simply recount traditions; he visits places, experiences celebrations and shares his own memories along the way. His reflections on childhood Halloweens and Bonfire Nights were especially lovely and nostalgic. His writing is atmospheric, often humorous, and full of genuine curiosity and affection for the subject.
I would have happily read even more about the historical origins of some of these customs, but I really enjoyed the balance of history, folklore, travel and personal storytelling.
It’s a lovely reminder that folklore isn’t just something confined to dusty history books. It’s still alive in our landscapes, communities and the little traditions we carry with us, sometimes without even realising where they began.
I’ve always been fascinated by British folklore, old customs and the ways people have marked the changing seasons throughout history, so Rituals was right up my street.
Tim Downie takes us on a journey through Britain’s ritual year, exploring everything from familiar seasonal celebrations to some wonderfully strange and sometimes rather unsettling traditions that have survived for centuries.
I particularly loved the darker folklore woven throughout, especially the old divination practices surrounding St Mark’s Eve, the witchcraft and supernatural beliefs associated with Beltane, and the connections between life, death and the turning seasons. There’s something so fascinating about the beliefs our ancestors held and how traces of them still exist today.
What I enjoyed most was how personal the book felt. Downie doesn’t simply recount traditions; he visits places, experiences celebrations and shares his own memories along the way. His reflections on childhood Halloweens and Bonfire Nights were especially lovely and nostalgic. His writing is atmospheric, often humorous, and full of genuine curiosity and affection for the subject.
I would have happily read even more about the historical origins of some of these customs, but I really enjoyed the balance of history, folklore, travel and personal storytelling.
It’s a lovely reminder that folklore isn’t just something confined to dusty history books. It’s still alive in our landscapes, communities and the little traditions we carry with us, sometimes without even realising where they began.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House | Ebury Spotlight for the opportunity to read Rituals as an e-arc before release in exchange for an honest view.
Rituals is a gorgeously written gateway into the folklore and customs that have been kept alive by communities, big and small, across the country. Tim Downie takes us on a journey up and down Britain, exploring small villages and large towns as he experiences these traditions first-hand and bringing vibrancy to the page with a conversational style with humour as well as facts, history and knowledge from the locals he meets.
Downie's style of writing, and wealth of knowledge from his own experiences and those he has read makes you feel like you are driving through a British downpour to a small village in Norfolk one minute, and walking the edge of a village in the countryside in the next chapter, making this non-fiction so much more engaging. Tim dives into the history of each ritual and folkloric tradition, giving the reader vivid visuals of myth as well as the more rational in some cases.
Even if you are new to the world of folklore or an avid listener to Tim and Justin's Folklands podcast, Rituals takes you on a journey through the seasons, exploring celebrations of nature and more known traditions like the Mari Lwyd, with commemorative rituals around events like a Lady's lost hood in Lincolnshire and rituals once banned due to the "misuse" of oranges. I won't explain further.
In all honesty, Rituals made me want to visit a tonne of new places and learn more about the history that has been hidden away (in plain site in some cases).
Rituals is a gorgeously written gateway into the folklore and customs that have been kept alive by communities, big and small, across the country. Tim Downie takes us on a journey up and down Britain, exploring small villages and large towns as he experiences these traditions first-hand and bringing vibrancy to the page with a conversational style with humour as well as facts, history and knowledge from the locals he meets.
Downie's style of writing, and wealth of knowledge from his own experiences and those he has read makes you feel like you are driving through a British downpour to a small village in Norfolk one minute, and walking the edge of a village in the countryside in the next chapter, making this non-fiction so much more engaging. Tim dives into the history of each ritual and folkloric tradition, giving the reader vivid visuals of myth as well as the more rational in some cases.
Even if you are new to the world of folklore or an avid listener to Tim and Justin's Folklands podcast, Rituals takes you on a journey through the seasons, exploring celebrations of nature and more known traditions like the Mari Lwyd, with commemorative rituals around events like a Lady's lost hood in Lincolnshire and rituals once banned due to the "misuse" of oranges. I won't explain further.
In all honesty, Rituals made me want to visit a tonne of new places and learn more about the history that has been hidden away (in plain site in some cases).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a lovely read about folk rituals, still happening today, written in a warm chatty way that makes the reader feel they are having a chat with a friend! The author introduces us to words like fairy pigs, (my favourite) bugganes, keimaghs, (from the Isle of Man) risks life and limb with flaming barrels of tar, tells us the history of the “English” flag ( take note right wing so-called patriots), tells us about swan upping. Eating swans was only made illegal in 1981. Who knew! He braves torrential rain, (a recurring theme!) wind, searing heat, and multiple visits to local pubs (also a recurring theme!) to tell us his stories and to describe the rituals he observes and takes part in, and the stories from the local participants.
He presents the rituals in chronological order starting in Winter travelling all over the British Isles to bring us for example, hoodening, wassailing and Scoring The Hales from Kent, Monmouthshire and Alnwick in Northumberland respectively. It’s fascinating.
It is good to know that these rituals are kept going after, in some cases, hundreds if not thousands of years. Ultimately, he says they are about community and inclusion. They bring folk together and create cohesion and common ground for everyone. This is more essential than ever, he says in this socio-political climate today.
I was charmed, fascinated and educated by this book and I recommend it for anyone interested in the creatures, rituals and ideas that occupy the liminal spaces of our islands.
Thanks to NetGalley for the kindle ARC in return for my honest review.
He presents the rituals in chronological order starting in Winter travelling all over the British Isles to bring us for example, hoodening, wassailing and Scoring The Hales from Kent, Monmouthshire and Alnwick in Northumberland respectively. It’s fascinating.
It is good to know that these rituals are kept going after, in some cases, hundreds if not thousands of years. Ultimately, he says they are about community and inclusion. They bring folk together and create cohesion and common ground for everyone. This is more essential than ever, he says in this socio-political climate today.
I was charmed, fascinated and educated by this book and I recommend it for anyone interested in the creatures, rituals and ideas that occupy the liminal spaces of our islands.
Thanks to NetGalley for the kindle ARC in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not quite what I was hoping for, this was nevertheless an engaging tour of the country and the calendar, dipping into various rituals and traditions. It's not all guising in blackface, but there is quite a bit of that, and no real explanation for the sooting up.
There are also quite a lot of these rituals that seem to involve frightening levels of violence and danger, as in the mob football games or the tar barrels. If not mob football, then huge scrums of men chasing veils or bottles/barrels.
Many of the rituals are modern revivals of older ceremonies, with modern elements added, to keep them alive. There's mention towards the end of the orange rolling in Dunstable, which I remember from my own childhood, but which was eventually discontinued—largely due to large scrums of violent men.
I mentioned 'dipping in' above, and that's about the level, with the history and tradition behind the rituals dispatched in short, efficient order. It's not superficial, but it's also not terribly detailed. The author, Tim Downie, is an actor, and it really comes across as a personal journey rather than an academic exericse. He does travel: west to Wales and Devon/Cornwall, south to Sussex and Kent, North to Scotland and Northumberland. He even visits Glastonbury, which comes across a place to avoid if you are allergic to charlatans and bearded men with no shoes.
Made me nostalgic for that big ol' Reader's Digest encyclopaedia of Folklore, Myths and Legends.
There are also quite a lot of these rituals that seem to involve frightening levels of violence and danger, as in the mob football games or the tar barrels. If not mob football, then huge scrums of men chasing veils or bottles/barrels.
Many of the rituals are modern revivals of older ceremonies, with modern elements added, to keep them alive. There's mention towards the end of the orange rolling in Dunstable, which I remember from my own childhood, but which was eventually discontinued—largely due to large scrums of violent men.
I mentioned 'dipping in' above, and that's about the level, with the history and tradition behind the rituals dispatched in short, efficient order. It's not superficial, but it's also not terribly detailed. The author, Tim Downie, is an actor, and it really comes across as a personal journey rather than an academic exericse. He does travel: west to Wales and Devon/Cornwall, south to Sussex and Kent, North to Scotland and Northumberland. He even visits Glastonbury, which comes across a place to avoid if you are allergic to charlatans and bearded men with no shoes.
Made me nostalgic for that big ol' Reader's Digest encyclopaedia of Folklore, Myths and Legends.
October 31, 2026
I have always had a love for the folk traditions of Britain, I was brought up on Morris dancers, May Queens, Maypoles, Mari Lwyd and other oddities. So seeing this book was right in my comfort zone.
I was not disappointed, the book is wonderful, divided into seasons, with each celebration in a single easily read chapter. It is not a stuffy academic exploration, it is instead a personal and enthusiastic journey made by someone who is very much interested and happy to get stuck in. Tim Downie writes not only of the history of the celebrations but of his personal experiences, these celebrations are of joy and this comes through in his writing. He speaks to the passionate organisers and the observers around him, bringing other perspectives into each festival. There is danger, there are injuries, there is imagination, and a deep root into the past and the British psyche. These customs bind their communities together with nature and the seasons and anchor them in their area's history.
I truly wish that I was with him experiencing these festivities first hand, maybe one day I will be able to follow suit. In the meantime I have experienced them secondhand and bathed in the exuberance of his participation. There are so many more wonderful traditions and rituals in the British Isles that I sincerely hope Book 2 will be along soon.
If you love folk history and traditions then this is the perfect book.
5 stars
I was not disappointed, the book is wonderful, divided into seasons, with each celebration in a single easily read chapter. It is not a stuffy academic exploration, it is instead a personal and enthusiastic journey made by someone who is very much interested and happy to get stuck in. Tim Downie writes not only of the history of the celebrations but of his personal experiences, these celebrations are of joy and this comes through in his writing. He speaks to the passionate organisers and the observers around him, bringing other perspectives into each festival. There is danger, there are injuries, there is imagination, and a deep root into the past and the British psyche. These customs bind their communities together with nature and the seasons and anchor them in their area's history.
I truly wish that I was with him experiencing these festivities first hand, maybe one day I will be able to follow suit. In the meantime I have experienced them secondhand and bathed in the exuberance of his participation. There are so many more wonderful traditions and rituals in the British Isles that I sincerely hope Book 2 will be along soon.
If you love folk history and traditions then this is the perfect book.
5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In “Rituals,” actor, podcaster and author Tim Downie travels the length and breadth of the UK to explore and experience some of its myth and folklore. He travels to specific areas which he has heard (usually completely randomly!) hold events marking certain significant days of the year. The significance could be due to an occurrence that happened hundreds of years ago in the area or it could have some links to paganism. He finds people who are dedicated to keeping these fascinating stories and traditions alive.
What jumped off the page for me is Downie’s enthusiasm for the subject matter (as well as his humour). He clearly loves discovering these stories, myths, legends and events and by writing them down, he is contributing to keeping them going. And while, for me, some of the stories start to meld together a bit after you’ve read a few of them, I still found it fascinating to know how many of these sorts of rituals go on across the nation. I also appreciated Downie’s efforts to emphasise that while some people take these as typically English events, they have always been influenced by other nationalities and cultures and will continue to be so and this is no bad thing!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
What jumped off the page for me is Downie’s enthusiasm for the subject matter (as well as his humour). He clearly loves discovering these stories, myths, legends and events and by writing them down, he is contributing to keeping them going. And while, for me, some of the stories start to meld together a bit after you’ve read a few of them, I still found it fascinating to know how many of these sorts of rituals go on across the nation. I also appreciated Downie’s efforts to emphasise that while some people take these as typically English events, they have always been influenced by other nationalities and cultures and will continue to be so and this is no bad thing!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** I received an advance readers' copy of this book from NetGalley. My review is my own.
I really enjoyed this book. As someone who reads far, far more fiction than nonfiction, I am always worried that when I pick up a nonfiction book, I will feel like I am reading a textbook (i.e., that it will be borderline unreadable and/or boring). This is not a concern for Rituals: A Folk Journey Through The British Isles.
I have a slight confession: I had no idea who Tim Downie was when I requested this book. I requested it on a whim, and while I have googled him now, I still haven't seen any of his other work.
This book is written in that perfect nonfiction tone, not too formal/texbook-y, and not too memoir-y. The content is interesting, the prose quite good, and the pacing is just right. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about folklore through a fun story.
I really enjoyed this book. As someone who reads far, far more fiction than nonfiction, I am always worried that when I pick up a nonfiction book, I will feel like I am reading a textbook (i.e., that it will be borderline unreadable and/or boring). This is not a concern for Rituals: A Folk Journey Through The British Isles.
I have a slight confession: I had no idea who Tim Downie was when I requested this book. I requested it on a whim, and while I have googled him now, I still haven't seen any of his other work.
This book is written in that perfect nonfiction tone, not too formal/texbook-y, and not too memoir-y. The content is interesting, the prose quite good, and the pacing is just right. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about folklore through a fun story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Rituals, Tim Downie tells stories of traditions and events from across the UK, some which have continued uninterrupted over centuries, some revived or recently created. They vary from the gentle and poignant to the rowdy and funny, and the frankly berserk (I’m looking at you, Ottery St Mary). I had not come across Downie's writing before but looking at his acting credits his face should be familiar to most of us. He has an appealing, conversational style of writing which makes Rituals a pleasure to read, in longer stretches or to dip in and out. There is lightness and humour mixed in with reflections on how we live together on the earth.
Rituals is told with warmth and wit as a series of vignettes much as one might hear a story by the fire in a cosy country pub.
I imagine reading this in hardcover with illustrations would be even better, and it might make a beautiful gift for the reader and thinker in your life. Although the book tells stories of rituals held throughout the year, it finishes with the ‘fire lands of autumn’, so I think now is the perfect time to read it and think about the traditions upheld and restarted all over the country.
Rituals is told with warmth and wit as a series of vignettes much as one might hear a story by the fire in a cosy country pub.
I imagine reading this in hardcover with illustrations would be even better, and it might make a beautiful gift for the reader and thinker in your life. Although the book tells stories of rituals held throughout the year, it finishes with the ‘fire lands of autumn’, so I think now is the perfect time to read it and think about the traditions upheld and restarted all over the country.
October 30, 2026
There’s something wonderfully odd about discovering the customs that people have continued to celebrate in different corners of Britain. I really enjoyed finding out about traditions that were completely unfamiliar to me, as well as a few that I recognised without ever knowing their origins.
Tim Downie has a very personable writing style, and I liked being taken along for the journey rather than simply being given a list of facts. There’s plenty of history tucked in among the author’s observations, along with some wonderfully eccentric characters and events. A few sections felt more detailed than others, but the variety kept things interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the traditions involving fire, costumes and a healthy dose of chaos! There’s something rather lovely about people continuing to turn up year after year to do something their community has done for generations.
An entertaining introduction to some of Britain’s stranger customs, and one I’ll happily recommend to fellow folklore fans.
Many thanks to Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy
Tim Downie has a very personable writing style, and I liked being taken along for the journey rather than simply being given a list of facts. There’s plenty of history tucked in among the author’s observations, along with some wonderfully eccentric characters and events. A few sections felt more detailed than others, but the variety kept things interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the traditions involving fire, costumes and a healthy dose of chaos! There’s something rather lovely about people continuing to turn up year after year to do something their community has done for generations.
An entertaining introduction to some of Britain’s stranger customs, and one I’ll happily recommend to fellow folklore fans.
Many thanks to Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy
November 2, 2026
Fittingly finished reading Rituals on Halloween! It was such a lovely read I found myself stretching out my reading so I didn’t finish too quickly.
Tim Downie’s voice is unmistakable throughout—conversational, funny, and full of genuine enthusiasm, with moments of exceptionally beautiful prose. Reading it feels less like being lectured about folklore and more like sitting across from a wonderfully engaging storyteller over a pint.
Some favorite lines:
“Night has drawn in, the sodium streets have a skein of frost, glittering and needle sharp.”
“These moments are joy manifest. To feel the turning of the Earth beneath our feet, and the shifting of light in the stars above, roots us all in a universal shared experience.”
“A thin pale artery threading through the City, tearing a seam between the ordinary and the mundane, and revealing, for those that pause long enough, a realm of gods and goddesses, of death and rebirth, and the elemental forces of nature.”
“London is built on the bodies of the forgotten, on the souls that have been fed into the dark maw of the city, used up, bled dry.“
Tim Downie’s voice is unmistakable throughout—conversational, funny, and full of genuine enthusiasm, with moments of exceptionally beautiful prose. Reading it feels less like being lectured about folklore and more like sitting across from a wonderfully engaging storyteller over a pint.
Some favorite lines:
“Night has drawn in, the sodium streets have a skein of frost, glittering and needle sharp.”
“These moments are joy manifest. To feel the turning of the Earth beneath our feet, and the shifting of light in the stars above, roots us all in a universal shared experience.”
“A thin pale artery threading through the City, tearing a seam between the ordinary and the mundane, and revealing, for those that pause long enough, a realm of gods and goddesses, of death and rebirth, and the elemental forces of nature.”
“London is built on the bodies of the forgotten, on the souls that have been fed into the dark maw of the city, used up, bled dry.“
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Ebury Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted e-arc.
What a beautiful looking book this was. It’s definitely one that would catch my eye on the shelf. The premise, the illustrations it’s all very whimsical a fantastic non-fiction book that would look fab on your coffee table.
But, this is more than a coffee table book. Rituals is a highly descriptive, evocative collection that feels like sitting by a fire listening to a favourite relative recite old tales.
Reading Rituals is stepping out of the modern rush and into a world governed by rhythm, season, and folklore. I devoured this book in a single rainy afternoon, utterly transported around all the cozy nooks and crannies of its pages.
It is the kind of rich, comforting work I know I will return to each season, packed with fascinating details and facts I’ll definitely recite to anyone who’ll listen.
The atmospheric storytelling was a clear highlight, showcasing delicate prose and deep historical nuance.
Best for: lovers of seasonal living, folklore, historical trivia, and cozy, mood-driven non-fiction.
What a beautiful looking book this was. It’s definitely one that would catch my eye on the shelf. The premise, the illustrations it’s all very whimsical a fantastic non-fiction book that would look fab on your coffee table.
But, this is more than a coffee table book. Rituals is a highly descriptive, evocative collection that feels like sitting by a fire listening to a favourite relative recite old tales.
Reading Rituals is stepping out of the modern rush and into a world governed by rhythm, season, and folklore. I devoured this book in a single rainy afternoon, utterly transported around all the cozy nooks and crannies of its pages.
It is the kind of rich, comforting work I know I will return to each season, packed with fascinating details and facts I’ll definitely recite to anyone who’ll listen.
The atmospheric storytelling was a clear highlight, showcasing delicate prose and deep historical nuance.
Best for: lovers of seasonal living, folklore, historical trivia, and cozy, mood-driven non-fiction.
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