Folklore & Customs: Bromley's Broom Day Festival

This is broom in blossom on Martin’s Hill, Bromley, a town that gets its name from the plant used to make traditional besoms. You can see a couple of besoms in the inset picture. I took both photos, and the others on this post, yesterday at Broom Day. This was a celebration of Bromley’s heritage and a revival of a historic festival inspired by the bright yellow flowers that once covered the area.

The event included a free exhibition exploring the story of the broom in Bromley and how the town grew from its early beginnings. There was also a parade along the high street to Martin’s Hill where there was live music, some fun and games, and opportunities to learn about conserving and protecting the broom.

The problem is that broom flowers are being encroached by brambles and only the work of dedicated volunteers with secateurs is currently saving them for posterity. This is organised by Bromley Civic Society, which was formed to provide awareness and protection for the town’s built and green environment. The council does little to help, sadly, so much more work is needed to both conserve the broom plant and spread the word.

Folklore, mythology and magic

If you’re a gardener or a witch, you may very well have a besom, traditiionally made from tied bundles of sticks. They’re still used for sweeping up leaves in autumn or for sweeping negative energy from your home if you’re magically inclined. At one time they were generally used to sweep the floor too, and production was an important and profitable craft in parts of Kent and Sussex. 

The stems of the broom plant create the best besoms, although other species can also be used, including birch twigs. Broom flowers in May, so this was a month to celebrate the plant, rather than cut it down. There are various  superstitions about not getting a new broom or sweeping the house in May. Nevertheless, the flowers symbolise abundance, so wearing a sprig could help attract plenty and you could put some on your altar if you’re doing a prosperity spell.

In Welsh mythology, Blodeuwedd is the name of a woman made from the flowers of broom, meadowsweet and oak. Despite besoms being associated with witches, in Italy, the shrub was burnt to protect homes against them.

More seasonal lore

My book Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in magic, folklore and nature. 

You can view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon, find it at esoteric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/green-london-beltane-flowers-on-street.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2007/11/what-witches-use-their-brooms-for.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/01/witchy-crafts-mini-broomstick-jewellery.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/04/folklore-customs-dandelions-on-st.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/flower-folklore-heather-for-luck-and.html

To read more posts like this visit A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk

Source: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/05/folklore-customs-bromleys-broom-day.html