The carnival season is in full swing across Somerset, with dazzling events featuring dozens of illuminated carts, some stretching up to 30 meters long. These vibrant vehicles are ablaze with lights and filled with dancers and musical performers, captivating spectators with their creativity and energy.
Unlike other carnivals around the UK, where such vehicles are commonly called “floats,” in Somerset they are known as “carts.” Getting this wrong can quickly earn you a friendly—but firm—correction from locals.
The reason for this unique terminology lies in history. According to Bridgwater Carnival’s official website, these large vehicles trace their origins back to hay carts or log carts pulled by horses. Over time, the name “cart” stuck as the term for these decorated procession vehicles.
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Historical photos from the early 1900s, found in the publication The Story of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, show horse-drawn carts proudly carrying carnival displays. Interestingly, in the 1920s, these vehicles were sometimes referred to as “cars,” but the word “cart” gradually became the standard term.
The last horse-drawn cart appeared at Bridgwater Carnival in 1948, as more carnival clubs transitioned to using motorized lorries to tow their elaborate constructions. Despite modernization, the term “cart” has endured and continues to describe the large trailers parading through the streets today.
Local carnival clubs build these carts with the help of charitable donations and sponsorship from community businesses, keeping this rich tradition alive. The next Bridgwater Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, starting at 6 pm—sure to feature many spectacular carts lighting up the night.