Festivals

The city keeps a strong connection with the countryside which surrounds it. Elver nets dry on shed roofs in the inner city, the smell of freshly-spread manure drifts up Westgate on warm evenings, goats graze in back gardens.

The old customs which marked the seasons persist; watch out for Morris dancers down the High Street on May Day, people chasing cheeses down a precipice on Bank Holiday Monday, mummers at the New Inn on Boxing Day.

Now the year is also marked by music festivals, summer celebrations and winter spectaculars.