Tasty Handwarmers For Bonfire Night!

 Pasties, Fireworks & Flaming Barrels! 🔥

Bonfire Night is officially next week! The air smells like smoke and fireworks, the scarves are out, and the cold evenings are about to be lit up in proper British style.

Whether you call it Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night, it’s one of those traditions that’s stood the test of time... a bit of history, a bit of chaos, and a whole lot of fun.

It all began back in 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his crew failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament. For decades after, records show the country celebrated by lighting bonfires.

 And over 400 years later, we’re still doing it - only now with more fireworks, toffee apples, and (if you’re lucky) a proper pasty in hand to keep those mitts warm.

 Ottery St Mary’s Fiery Tradition

Here in Ottery St Mary, we take Bonfire Night seriously.

 Forget sparklers and glowsticks... we’ve got flaming tar barrels!! Every year, brave locals hoist burning barrels on their shoulders and charge through the streets while the crowd cheers them on. (As well as a colossal bonfire, rides, vendors and fireworks, of course!) It’s wild, it’s spectacular, and it’s something you’ll never forget once you’ve seen it!! 

The Ottery Tar Barrels aren’t just about the spectacle - they’re a living, breathing piece of Devon heritage. It’s about community, courage, and a shared love for keeping traditions alive.

We’re proud to call this fiery little corner of Devon home, and we’ll be right there soaking up the atmosphere (and maybe a bit of smoke) with a warm pasty in hand!!

 The Ultimate Bonfire Handwarmers

Let’s be honest, standing around in the cold watching fireworks is a lot better when you’ve got something hot, hearty, and properly tasty to hold onto. Forget fingerless gloves - you need a Chunk pasty or sausage roll.

Here’s what we’ll be clutching this Bonfire Night:

🔥 Steak Pasty - The all-time classic. Packed with rich steak, potato, onion, and swede, this is the pasty that’s as iconic as Bonfire Night itself. Ideal for the traditionalist who loves a proper, no-fuss feed.

🔥 Turkey, Ham & Cranberry Pasty - Fancy a bit of early festive flavour? This one’s got tender turkey, smoked bacon, brie, and a pop of cranberry all wrapped up in buttery pastry. Perfect for those feeling the Christmas buzz already.

🔥 Pork & Cranberry Sausage Roll - Juicy pork with cranberries, surrounded by tasty ruff-puff pastry. It’s the Christmas spirit in roll form - ideal for one-handed snacking while cheering at the fireworks!

🔥Butter Chicken Curry Pasty - Need something to really fire you up? This one’s got a kick of spice, a proper rich curry sauce, and golden pastry. It’ll keep you warm from the inside out!!

🔥 Cheddar & Onion Pasty - For the veggie fire-watchers. Creamy, tangy, rich, and comforting, this one’s made for those who want full-on flavour without the meat!

🔥 Chunki Sausage Roll - One for the little ones (and anyone who prefers the ultimate comfort of a traditional sausage roll!!

Each one’s a little handwarmer of happiness, hearty, hot, and made to keep you going through the night!!

Staying In? Here's How To Make A Warming Toffee Apple Pie!

Bonfire Night calls for something warm, golden, and a little bit indulgent... so why not turn our returning 8-inch Apple Pie into a Toffee Apple Pie? It’s ridiculously easy and takes your dessert from classic to crowd-stopping.

Just whip up a quick toffee sauce to drizzle over your warm pie:

Toffee Sauce (serves 8)...

• 90g butter

• 120g soft light brown sugar

• 180ml double cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of sea salt

Melt butter, sugar, and cream together, let it bubble for 3–4 minutes, then stir in vanilla and salt. Pour over your slice and watch it vanish faster than the fireworks.

Sweet, sticky, and pure comfort - the perfect Bonfire Night treat!

 Time to Light Up The Sky!!

Whether you’re heading out to Ottery to see the flaming barrels, watching fireworks with friends, or just staying in and keeping warm by your own fire, make sure there’s a Chunk pie or pasty involved.

Get yourself warmed up, get fed, and get ready to celebrate in proper Devon style!

Go on - take a Chunk!