WHERE TO JOIN THE MARI LWYD

CHEPSTOW The biggest celebration in Wales (right), involving 20 Mari groups, and wassailing. It starts at 1pm on 19 January and finishes with pwnco at the Town Hall and an evening cèilidh. THE STAR AT LLANSOY This rural pub in the Usk Valley hosts a Mari Lwyd event on 6 January every year, celebrating the tradition’s long connection to the nearby hamlet of Llanfihangel Tor-y-Mynydd. PONTARDAWE Gellionnen Chapel – a stunning location on the edge of a mountain – celebrates the Mari Lwyd tradition on the first Sunday of the year in its morning service. YSTRADGYNLAIS This small Swansea valleys town holds its colourful celebration just before Christmas, with participants parading through the town to collect for local charities. LONDON You can even see a Mari Lwyd outside Wales, at the London Welsh Centre near King’s Cross. Celebrations begin with a tour of the area’s pubs – cloaked horse and all – before lively singing back at home base.