The Biggest Liar competition

This competition is the place to tell all those tall stories and tales with the hope of winning the coverted award of the World's Biggest Liar.

Set amongst the rolling hills and the sugar caves of the Wasdale Valley, The Santon Bridge Inn attracts fibbers, liars and storytellers from all over the world to the competition held every November.

The history of the event stretches back to the 19th Century when the former publican, Will Ritson kept his customers entertained with stories of the folk heritage of the Wasdale Valley.

Participants have up to five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing lie they can, without the aid of any props.

In recent years the audience has learned facts on how the Lake District was formed – not from the ice age or volcanic action – but by large moles and eels. There are also tales of a mermaid farm,  a Teach Yourself Cumbrian course and MUFF, the Ministry of Underwater Fisheries and Food

Politicians and lawyers are excluded from entry

he original competition involved just one entrant expostulating to a gathering of sheep, bison and mammoths who hooted their derision as he regaled them with tales of sea monsters, dragons, falling off the edge of the world and a great iron horse that would one day run on steel rails providing an efficient means of getting around the Kingdoms of what we know know as great Britain.

Around 50,000 people gather in the pub at Santon Bridge every year on the feast day of St Pinnochius. Competitors have up to five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing lie they can, without the aid of any props. The event is always very competitive though organisers say members of the legal profession and politicians are banned from entering as they're just too practised!
This year, the competition is expecting entrants from the United States, Brazil, Oz, Narnia, Scotland and Maryport - depending on the weather.