Football in the River Windrush – A Truly Bonkers Bank Holiday Tradition

📅 Monday, August 25th
🕑 Kick-off at 2PM
📍 River Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water

If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to English football… think again. Every August Bank Holiday, the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water hosts one of the quirkiest, splashiest sporting events in the UK: football in the river. Yes, you read that right.

Picture a traditional five-a-side football match—but with one wild twist: the pitch is the shallow River Windrush. Two teams from the local Bourton Rovers Football Club (usually seniors vs. reserves) wade into the water and battle it out in front of hundreds of cheering spectators lining the riverbanks.

Expect flying tackles, wild splashes, soaked players, and lots of laughter. The rules are loose, the gameplay is chaotic, and the fun is absolutely guaranteed.

This quirky match has been making a splash (literally) for over 100 years, drawing crowds from near and far. It’s a celebration of local spirit, community, and a good old-fashioned sense of humour. And it's as much about the spectacle as the scoreline.

Often dubbed the "Venice of the Cotswolds," Bourton is a picturesque village with low stone bridges, riverside cafes, and charming attractions. Football in the river is the highlight of the Bank Holiday, but it’s also a fantastic day to explore:

• Pack a riverside picnic
• Grab an ice cream and wander the village
• Visit the Birdland Park & Gardens or the Model Village
• Shop for local crafts and gifts

Make sure you arrive early—the village gets busy, and the riverbanks fill up fast!

Event Details

When: Monday, August 25th
Time: Match starts at 2PM (arrive earlier to grab a good viewing spot)
Where: River Windrush, in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water
Cost: Free to watch (donations to Bourton Rovers FC are welcome)

Because where else can you see two football teams chasing a ball through ankle-deep water, while the crowd roars from behind stone bridges and riverside walls? It’s pure, joyous, Cotswold madness—and the perfect way to wrap up the summer.

Whether you're a football fan or just in it for the fun, Football in the River Windrush is one of those delightfully daft British traditions that has to be seen to be believed.

🔗 Follow @BourtonRoversFC or check with the village’s tourist info site for last-minute updates and parking info.

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