Somerset festival invites locals to embrace 'Mud Month' inspired by Saxon Solmōnaþ

A community-run 'Month of Mud' in the Quantock Hills draws on the Anglo-Saxon Solmōnaþ tradition to offer muddy walks, art sessions and storytelling aimed at reconnecting people with the landscape.

A misty, rainy day in the Quantock Hills framed the start of a community event that celebrates mud. Organisers say the Month of Mud in February is inspired by the Anglo-Saxon name Solmōnaþ and aims to reconnect people with the landscape and seasonal rhythms. Activities include squelchy walks, art sessions using the red-hued soil and storytelling about earthy traditions. The programme is intended to be accessible to different abilities and levels of waterproof footwear. What we know: - The event is being run by the Quantock Hills landscape team and community organiser Jon Barrett. - The festival is inspired by the Anglo-Saxon term Solmōnaþ, often translated as "mud month." - Planned activities include muddy hikes, art sessions mixing local mud with honey for paint, and storytelling sessions. - Organisers offer walks with different "welly" ratings so some routes avoid deep mud while others embrace it. - The region has been unusually wet in February, with repeated rainfall and Met Office alerts affecting parts of the south-west. Summary: The festival frames mud as part of seasonal renewal and aims to draw people outdoors despite wet conditions. Organisers say the events will run through February with a mix of low- and high-mud activities to suit different participants.