The first hard frosts of winter always catch me out early with the dogs, my boots crunching on the lane as I admire the views of Lyme Park that surround our family farm. Taking in the crisp morning air, it always brings an undeniable anticipation of the countryside in winter.

Not only is it when my favourite winter jackets come out of hibernation, but it’s a time of year that promises a season stitched with familiar rural rituals and traditions.
Fairs and markets come to life, Boxing Day brings three generations back into the field, and there’s always a fireside welcome waiting at the pub. The British countryside’s winter traditions are the perfect time to both celebrate and appreciate the heritage that country life holds.

So, as I head out on my morning walk, I’ll leave you to explore the winter countryside traditions that I think warm the coldest days (and of course, the country clothing that goes with them).

 

Fairs & Markets – Where the Countryside Comes Together

Much like summer with its country shows, winter is also decorated with Christmas markets and festive fairs. Each is bursting with seasonal crafts and produce; there’s no shortage of mulled cider, festive foods, great live music, and the waxed jackets and tweed caps are out in force!

However, these fairs and markets are about more than just shopping; they are often an annual tradition, with larger events like the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and Christmas at Chatsworth House drawing sizable crowds and marking the start of the festive season for many.

For farmers and local businesses, they’re a chance to showcase the best of the season: Winter vegetables, cured meats, hand-knitted woollens, and even the odd cider-pressing demonstration. (At our local fair, you’ll meet a dozen familiar faces before you’ve even reached the cheese stall!)

It’s the sort of day when you’re grateful for warm knits, thermal socks and fleece-lined gloves that keep out the cold while you’re catching up, with a cosy scarf and hat combination that makes standing outside with mulled wine much easier!

 

Shooting Traditions – A Big Day for Boxing Day

For country sports enthusiasts, the winter months are woven with tradition too. Winter is the season for game shooters, and Boxing Day is more than just a day for eating up leftovers!

The Christmas table is barely cleared, as keen shooters dust off their boots and caps from the season, ready to head to the field for one of the most cherished days on the country sports calendar- the Boxing Day Shoot.
A highlight of the year, it’s a tradition that brings together friends, family and neighbours in the true country spirit of the season. Three generations often stand together on the peg and in the field, passing down a love and celebration of the countryside that dates back centuries.

For me, it’s as much about the camaraderie as the sport. Conversations picked up from the year previous, mince pies enjoyed in the Landrover, a tot of sloe gin passed around in front of the shooting lodge fire, and of course, a toast to the Gamekeeper to finish the day.
Naturally, clothing is part of this tradition too.

A sea of tweed, with breeks and shooting coats a plenty, sturdy boots paired with shooting socks and garters, and gloves that fend off the frost. Practical, yes, but also part of the unspoken rituals of the day, it’s a reminder that in the countryside, tradition isn’t old-fashioned, it’s what ties us together.

Yuletide Gatherings- From the Farm to the Pub

If the fairs and shoots are the day’s headline, then the fireside is its closing note. After the busy autumn harvest, winter is a time when farmers and villages come together to wind down the workload, and what better way than with a warm fire, a cosy country pub, and a dose of good company?

Winter evenings are rarely quiet affairs here. There’s always a bustling pub with a log fire roaring, farmers’ get-togethers, from a Young Farmers’ winter ball to carols on the yard, or simply neighbours gathering for a drink and a Boxing Day Walk. In some regions, unique traditions still thrive during the festive season, such as in Yorkshire, where village pubs feature locals singing old carols not heard in church, keeping folk music as vibrant as its heritage.

You’ll find beaters, shooters and farmers thawing out with a pint, and families warming up after a day out on a winter dog walk. The sense of tradition spreads as easily as the warmth from the fire in this well-versed country scene, and once again, country clothing plays its part. Stomping the snow off Dubarry boots at the pub door, waxed jackets hanging in a bunch on the peg- for me, this is where the real warmth of the winter season lies.

 

Dressing for the Season, Living the Tradition

When I think of winter in the countryside, it’s not just the crisp mornings or the frosty hillsides that come to mind. The fairs that bring communities together, the Boxing Day shoots that carry generations back into the field, and the firesides that welcome us home at the end of it all, these are rituals that speak for years of tradition, continued through a shared love of the country life, and a way of life Hollands has been part of for generations.

We’ve always believed that country clothing has its part to play in these moments. The clothing we reach for, whether tweeds, wax, knitwear, or the faithful pair of winter wellies by the door, they are all part of the traditions we celebrate year after year.

So, here’s to frosty fairs, Boxing Day shoots, and the glow of a heated hearth. Suppose you’re looking to step into the season with the right winter wear?  If so, you can explore our extensive country clothing collection from technical to traditional, wools to wellies, and find the pieces ready to become part of your countryside traditions.

 

About the Author 

Mark Holland

Mark Holland has a keen eye for all things men's country clothing. Living amidst the fields and farms, he understands the practical aspects of rural living and the timeless style that accompanies it. His advice reflects a genuine appreciation for the comfort and connection that come with country wear. If you're looking for down-to-earth recommendations, then trust Mark to guide you through kitting out your wardrobe with firm favourites and classic designs.