The Cosby Yarn Bomb – all you need to know!

The Cosby Yarn Bomb is a fun family-friendly summer event which is returning to Leicestershire after a year away. This incredible, community-led event has become of the county’s summer highlights and draws visitors from far and wide to the small village of Cosby in South Leicestershire’s Blaby District.

A free outdoor trail around the village of Cosby with around 80 stunning textile art creations, interactive displays and pop-up performances. Running from 8-29th July this three-week-long event is the perfect family day out.

This year’s theme is ‘Around The World in 80 Displays’ a globe-trotting textile adventure that celebrates wildlife from across the planet, featuring a habitat zone dedicated to David Attenborough. Expect to see everything from life sized crochet giraffes and Chinese dragons to colourful, interactive imaginary worlds and intricately detailed displays all executed with the usual inspiring levels of creativity, comedy, community spirit and skill.

Cosby is a short drive from Leicester and the M1/M69 junction, and is on the 84 Arriva Bus Route from Leicester City Centre. It’s also a 7 minute taxi or 30 minute walk from Narborough Train Station. It is easily cycleable, with bike racks available at Cosby Village Hall (Park Road, LE9 1RN).

Once you’re in Cosby, you won’t be able to miss it, but maps are available outside Bunning Hall and most village shops for a £2 donation (cash only). Pick one up so you don’t miss any of the displays!

The trail promises hours of fun exploring Cosby and discovering each and every wonderful creation, all installed in and around the buildings and landmarks of the village. There are literally hundreds of knitted or crocheted creatures and characters to be found.

The event is totally FREE and there’s no restriction on how long you can stay. Why not stop off for a meal or snack at one of the local restaurants, pubs or cafés? As this is an outdoor event, be sure to check the weather forecast!

Throughout the three weeks there will be a series of free pop-up performances with live music, theatre and walkabout acts at locations including Pretty Corner and The Bunning Hall.

Saturday 11 July – Pretty Corner (opposite Main St Co‑op)

12noon-1.30pm: Two fun 10-minute performances from Movers Theatre Company, a talented group of learning disabled actors

2-2.45pm: Uplifting live performance by Rock Choir Leicestershire

Sunday 12 July – Pretty Corner (opposite Main St Co‑op)

11am-3pm: Aquanauts Adrift – walkabout theatre and bubble shows by Enter Edem (three 30-minute performances)

Saturday 18 July – The Bunning Hall, Main St

2-2.30pm: Live music from a local ukulele group

Sunday 19 July – Pretty Corner (opposite Main St Co‑op)

11am-3pm: Professor Mappington’s Travelling Tales – walkabout theatre by Feasible Ferret (three 30-minute performances)

Please note: performance times and locations are subject to change.

Sunday 26 July – Community Togetherness Day

Yes! We don’t encourage children to climb on the installations as some are rather delicate, but many of the creations are interactive – just look out for the signs inviting you to play. Children will also enjoy taking part in the treasure hunt, maps for which are available all around the village.

Please use the designated free parking at Broughton Field opposite Cosby Golf Club (Broughton Road, LE9 1RG). Please do not park on the streets.

Yes – the main (non-disabled) toilet is located at the Bunning Hall (Main Street, LE9 1UW). There’s a disabled portaloo outside Cosby Village Hall (Park Road, LE9 1RN) and a fully accessible disabled toilet at the Community Church (Croft Road, LE9 1SE).

Absolutely! The majority of the displays are fully accessible via the pavements and pathways throughout the village so it’s perfect for visitors on wheels. 

Cosby village has lots of popular places to grab a bite to eat or get a takeaway coffee. You’ll find light lunches and delicious homemade cakes at the Cook in the Nook, wonderful local produce and a lovely spot for a sit down meal at the Tithe Barn, plus fish and chips from The Nook Fish Bar. There’s also the Bull’s Head Cosby, Bangla Spice, and a short drive away is Attfield’s Farm Shop and Country Kitchen.

Plus this year there is a Community Café at The Bunning Hall (25 Main Street, LE9 1UW) which is open most days 10am – 4pm. Each day the café is being run as a fundraiser by a different local community group or charity.

Cosby Yarn Bomb is a project by Gather Create Grow CIC. They are a local non-profit passionate about building community connections, improving wellbeing, and reducing isolation.

Through creative cross-generational projects and three weekly groups, they unite schools, charities, and support services; celebrating difference and supporting people to express and be accepted for whoever they are.

Over 2,000 people have contributed to this year’s event including 1,700 local school children! Over 16 groups and charities have raised valuable funds running the Community Cafe and the event supports and showcases many other local groups, charities and services. This community powered event shows just what is possible when communities work together.

Cosby Yarn Bomb is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The event is free to attend, but is heavily reliant on donations, which also goes towards funding projects throughout the year. 

Find out more on the Cosby Yarn Bomb Facebook page.