The craziest Guinness World Records won in Somerset

These are all questions that ambitious Somerset locals have set out to answer. Over the years, individuals and groups across the county have collected scores of Guinness World Records, often for brilliant and bizarre achievements.

Here is a list of the top 10 craziest Guinness World Records achieved right here in Somerset.

1. Longest line of pencils

Wilfred Ginn and Inigo Ginn from North Perrott laid out a grant total of 4,530 pencils on March 9 2024, creating a line over 807m in length. The local art-lovers were inspired by their older cousin, and after their impressive feat donated all the pencils to charity to encourage others to enjoy drawing.

1. Largest meat pie

Feeling hungry? The Guinness World Record for the largest meat pie was achieved at Hand Stadium, Clevedon, Somerset, UK on 12 April 1998. A skilled bunch of 17 students from Stratford-upon-Avon College baked up a monstrous 10,540 kg (23,237 lb) beef pie. The hearty supper measured 9.75 m (32 ft) long, 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in) wide and 0.61 m (2 ft) deep. Their hefty ingredient list included 5,500kg of beef, 750kg of mushrooms and onions each, and over 816kg of pastry.

1. Most martial arts throws in one hour

Throwing around your mates for a full 60 minutes might sound like a tiring activity, but not for Weston-Super-Mare martial artist Brad Cooper. Back in March 2002, Brad achieved 1,636 judo throws in an hour, tackling a rotation of 15 brave volunteers to achieve the record.

1. Most ready-made meals prepared in 24 hours

Another staggering food record in the county was achieved by Thomas Franks in Taunton on October 23 2024. Franks prepared a mouth-watering 79,591 ready meals, with a team of 100 chefs and 160 volunteers over the course of a day. Over 27,289 kg of food was prepared into four different recipes, that were then delivered to 466 organisations across England to feed vulnerable people throughout the winter.

1. Farthest distance walking on hands in 8 hours

Now this is a challenge that will leave you with a head-rush. Sarah Chapman from Glastonbury walked 5,000 metres on her hands over an 8 hour period back on June 3 2002, netting her a Guinness World Record.

1. Largest serving of sauerkraut

If you're a fan of fermented cabbage, you're in luck. Joanna Webster and Katie Venner prepared a generous serving of 359.6kg of sauerkraut in Wells on October 26 2018. The pair said their aim in achieving the world record was to show people just how easy it is to make the tasty German dish.

1. Largest gathering of people wearing boas

Somerset locals were clearly feeling fabulous on September 10 2016, when 675 people came together in Bath to set the world record for the largest gathering of people wearing boas. The feat was achieved at Dorothy House Hospice Care as volunteers took on an 8km night walk to fundraise for the charity.

1. Fastest marathon pushing a double pram (male)

Rob Forbes took dad duties to the next level on June 10 2018, when he set the record for the fastest marathon run by a man while pushing a double pram. Rob's two young children enjoyed the ride for 2 hours, 43 minutes and 11 seconds when their speedy dad undertook the challenge in Yeovil.

1. Longest Curly Wurly stretching

If you were ever told off for playing with your food, this Guinness World Record might be for you. Tracy Jane Sullivan successfully stretched a Curly Wurly chocolate bar to 4.26 metres long on November 22 2015. Her impressive feat was achieved at Frome Chocolate Festival, beating her previous personal best by over a metre.

1. Largest sock monkey

If you've ever wondered what to do with those old, odd socks floating around in your wardrobe, here's an idea. Jody Lewis from Bridgwater constructed a sock monkey that towered over 3.19 m (10 ft 5.59 in) tall. Her creation weighed 16 kg (35.27 lbs), achieving Bridgwater's only Guinness World Record on February 7 2015.

Feeling inspired? For a full list of all the Guinness World Records achieved in Somerset, you can visit the Guinness World Records website.