For more than 10 years The Barley Mow at Bonsall has held its world famous 'Chicken Races'. On the first Saturday in August a 20 metre marked track on the car park is transformed into a feather-flying battle of the fittest hens around. There have been rumours that hen racing has been held in the area for decades and The Barley Mow is said to be carrying on that tradition. Strict rules are in place here - birds must start with their feet on the ground (no airlaunched hens allowed), cockerels and dogs are barred for the day, and violence is strictly prohibited as hen-pecking can lead to a suspension. The event is extremely popular with large crowds always in attendance to witness this 'egg'-straordinary annual spectacle.

The village of Bonsall has made the headlines many times regarding numerous mysterious UFO sightings in the area. Around 20 sightings were reported during one month alone including one by a lady that was actually recorded on camcorder. It was said in the local newspaper that she was paid a figure of £20,000 by a television company for exclusive rights to the footage which showed an unidentified craft hovering over fields near her home. The area in general is a hotbed for UFO sightings and a constant stream of visitors from all over the country call in at The Barley Mow public house to join the landlord's tours - in the hope of witnessing an extraterrestrial occurrence themselves. Many villagers are said to have experienced these unexplained sightings but most are reluctant to talk about them. The pub landlord patiently and frequently spends time with visitors to The Barley Mow discussing the sightings and informing them of the best reported locations to visit.

There is no doubt that something is afoot at Bonsall and it is hoped that either further investigations, or future irrefutable evidence, may yet reveal that we are not alone!