The Guinness World Records set in Somerset

We're a friendly bunch, with a strong sense of community and we have local pride in abundance.

But once in a while, some of us rise up to achieve greatness - just look at Taunton Town's recent success.

Sometimes this greatness takes... interesting forms and certain achievements become a little more... unconventional.

Just look at this list of Guinness World Records that were set in our brilliant county. From superhuman strength and endurance to tallest celery and largest meat pie, we've really got a broad spectrum covered on the world stage.

Highest distance to drop an egg without breaking

The highest distance to drop an egg without breaking is 4.95 metres and was achieved by Tristan Bacon, in North Somerset, UK, on 27 October 2014.

Longest line of stock cubes

The longest line of stock cubes is 3,385, achieved by Ella White, Lily Keen, Jack Edwards, Rebecca Woodfield, Leah Mann, Max Thompson and Lucy Bishop (all UK) in Langport, Somerset, UK, on 9 June 2021.

The team attempted this record to leave a legacy at their school before they left.

Longest webcam broadcast of a foodstuff

A 20-kg (44-lb) piece of cheddar cheese maturing in Somerset, UK, was broadcast live on a webcam for 12 months continuously since 1 January 2007. As of March 2007, more than 525,000 people logged on to cheddarvision.tv to watch the cheese gradually mature and change colour. 

Farthest distance walking on hands in 8 hours

Sarah Chapman (UK) walked a distance of 5,000 m (16,404 ft) on her hands in an 8-hour period at Glastonbury, Somerset, UK, on 3 June 2002.

Most people playing Connect Four simultaneously

The most people playing Connect Four simultaneously is 314 and was achieved by Butlin's and Hasbro Gaming (both UK) at Butlin's in Minehead, Somerset, UK, on 26 May 2015.

Their attempt took place on the Butlin's Minehead 'Village Green' and was to help affirm an ethos to bring families together to share quality time.

Most people whistling

The most people whistling simultaneously at a single venue is 853 achieved by Spring Harvest (UK) at the Butlins Resort in Minehead, Somerset, UK, on 11 April 2014.

Most prolific hanging judge

In 1685, George Jeffreys, the Chief Justice who presided over the trials known as the 'Bloody Assizes' sentenced approximately 320 alleged rebels to death in Somerset, Dorset and Devon, UK, within a month's a time. Most were hanged, drawn and quartered.

Fastest 10 hoop/tyre slalom by a dog

The fastest 10 hoop/tyre slalom by a dog is 8.58 seconds and was achieved by Neo and his owner Stephen Bailey (both UK), in Minehead, UK, on 27 July 2016.

Largest sock monkey

The largest sock monkey is 3.19 m (10 ft 5.59 in) tall and was created by Jody Lewis (UK) in Bridgwater, Somerset, UK, on 7 February 2015.

Largest kettle

The largest copper kettle was built in Taunton, Somerset, UK for the hardware merchants Fisher and Son c. 1800, it stood 0.9m (3ft) high with a 1.8m (6ft) girth and a 90 litre (20 gal) capacity.

Longest cucumber

The longest cucumber measures 107 cm (42.1 in) and was grown by Ian Neale of Wales, UK. It was presented at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK, on 26 September 2011.

Fastest half marathon run on treadmill

The fastest half marathon run on treadmill is 1 hour 10 minutes 7 seconds, by Adam Holland (UK) on 30 May in Wellington, Somerset, United Kingdom.

Adam live streamed his attempted via his YouTube account for people to follow in real time.

Longest Curly Wurly stretching

The longest Curly Wurly stretched in three minutes is 426.2 cm (13 ft 11 in) and was achieved by Tracy Jane Sullivan (UK), in Frome, Somerset, UK, on 22 November 2015.

The attempt took place at the Frome Chocolate Festival (Lipsmaking Festivals). Tracy bettered her previous best by over a metre.

Farthest traced descendant by DNA

The farthest traced descendant is Adrian Targett, a teacher from Cheddar, Somerset, UK, who has been linked through some 300 generations and been shown to be a direct descendant, on his mothers side, of Cheddar Man, a 9,000-year-old skeleton, one of the oldest complete skeletons found in Great Britain.

Largest serving of sauerkraut

The largest serving of sauerkraut is 359.6 kg (792.8 lb) and was achieved by Joanna Webster and Katie Venner (both UK) in Wells, Somerset, UK, on 26 October 2018.

The attempt was made to show people how easy it is to make sauerkraut.

Oldest female chorister

Clarissa Lee (UK, b. 20 October 1892) was a chorister at St Mary and St Andrew Church, Pitminster, Somerset, UK, from 1914 to the end of 1996 when she was 104, singing with the choir every week.

Oldest person awarded an honorary degree

The oldest person to receive an honorary degree is Harry Patch (b. 17 June 1898, UK) who, at the age of 107 years 182 days was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts degree by the University of Bristol, Somerset, UK on 16 December 2005. Harry was a veteran of the First World War, served as a fireman and plumber in the Second World War and also helped build the university which honoured him.

Most martial arts throws in one hour

The most judo throws completed in one hour is 1,636 by Brad Cooper (UK) at Weston College, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK on 14 March 2002.

Heaviest longbow draw weight

The heaviest longbow draw weight is 90 kg (200 lb), achieved by Mark Stretton (UK) at the shooting grounds of The Bath Archers, Somerset, UK, on 15 August 2004. The bow was made by Bickerstaffe Bows (UK), of yew wood, backed with hickory. The arrow was made of aspen (poplar) and fired at a target approxiamately 5 yards away from the archer.

Fastest time to be sent off in an English Premiership rugby union match

The fastest sending off in an English Premiership Rugby Union match is 42 seconds and was achieved by Mike Watson (UK) playing for London Scottish versus Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground, Bath, Somerset, England on 15 May 1999. Mike Watson was playing as a second row forward and his sending off so early in the match handed Bath and easy win, 76-13.

It was London Scottish´s last Premiership game before being placed into administration and to date they have not returned to the top tier of English rugby.

In 2013 Nick Wood of Gloucester became the second fastest red carded player when he was given his marching orders after 73 seconds in a game against Saracens which Wood's side lost 44-12.

Highest altitude for a balloon skywalk

Mike Howard (UK) walked on a beam between two balloons at an altitude of 6,522 m (21,400 ft) near Yeovil, Somerset, UK, on 1 September 2004, as part of recording for the Guinness World Records: 50 Years, 50 Records TV show.

Heaviest seated deadlift (male)

The heaviest seated deadlift (male) is 505 kg (1,113 lb 5 oz), and was achieved by Martin Tye (UK) at the North Somerset Show in Wraxall, UK on 6 May 2019.

Martin previously completed a seated deadlift lifting 500 kg at the Disabled Strongman World Championships in Germany.

Heaviest potato

The heaviest potato weighs 4.98 kg (10 lb 14 oz) and was grown by Peter Glazebrook (UK). It was weighed at the National Gardening Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK, on 4 September 2011.

Fastest marathon pushing a double pram (male)

The record for the fastest marathon pushing a double pram (male) is 2 hr 43 min 11 sec, achieved by Rob Forbes (UK) in Yeovil, UK, on 10 June 2018.

Rob had run several races while pushing his children in their pram and realised he was doing well enough to now achieve a record title.