Appleton appeared in the Domesday survey as Epeltune,[1] meaning "the tun where the apples grew".

The current form of the ceremony dates from the 19th century, when it was part of the village's "walking day".

Local schoolchildren dance around the tree in the style of a maypole chanting verses to the tune of Bonnie Dundee, with the following repeated chorus:[1]Up with fresh garlands this midsummer morn,Up with red ribbons on Appleton Thorn.

The Beatles song 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' - complete with a solo by Eric Clapton - was written by George Harrison in Appleton Thorn.

He had bought the property in the mid-Sixties for mum and dad Harry and Louise as an escape from eager fans who had turned their Liverpool home into a shrine.