The Gunpowder Plot & Bonfire Night: The Story Behind the Sparks

As the evenings grow darker and we pull on our woolly hats, the skies begin to sparkle with fireworks—it must be Bonfire Night! Here at Chiltern Open Air Museum, we love this time of year. The scent of woodsmoke drifts through the air, our cottages glow with the warmth of a crackling fire, and families gather to enjoy a cosy evening of community and celebration.

But have you ever wondered why we celebrate with bonfires and fireworks every 5th of November?

A Plot with a Bang!

The story begins over 400 years ago, in 1605, when a group of men hatched a dangerous plan to change the course of English history. Led by Robert Catesby, they were frustrated by King James I’s strict laws against Catholics. Their daring idea? To blow up the Houses of Parliament during its opening—with the King and his government inside.

Guy Fawkes by George Cruikshank, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Among the conspirators was Guy Fawkes, a soldier put in charge of the explosives. The group smuggled 36 barrels of gunpowder into a cellar beneath Parliament—enough, they hoped, to obliterate it. But the plan didn’t stay secret for long. An anonymous letter warned a nobleman to stay away, and a search uncovered Guy Fawkes guarding the gunpowder in the early hours of 5 November. He was arrested, the plot was over before it began—and the rest, as they say, is history.

Lighting the Bonfires

When the news spread that the King had survived, people across London lit bonfires to celebrate. Parliament soon made it official: every 5 November would be a national day of thanksgiving. Over the centuries the event evolved from solemn services into a joyful night of community celebration. Effigies of “Guy” were added to the bonfire, fireworks replaced the gunpowder, and the tradition we know today began to take shape.

Bonfire at Chiltern Open Air Museum during the Halloween Spectacular in 2023.

From the Past to the Present

Today, Bonfire Night is one of Britain’s most-loved autumn traditions: a mix of history, heritage and heart-warming fun. It’s a time for families to come together, wrap up warm, and enjoy the glow of the fire against the crisp night air. At Chiltern Open Air Museum, we celebrate moments like this as a way to connect with the past.

So next time you watch fireworks burst across the sky, think of Guy Fawkes, his infamous barrels, and the centuries of tradition that have followed.