These festivals honor farming, food, and landscapes while showcasing age-old rural traditions spanning centuries.
Stunning Setting in Somerset
Don’t miss the 175th Dunster Show, happening today (August 18th). This event has all the expected highlights – livestock, tractors, horses, and friendly contests. It’s a platform for showcasing local crafts and produce, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Dunster Castle and the picturesque Exmoor landscape. – Sarah
Thrills and Fun in Hampshire
The Wellington International Horse Trials and Country Fair (£20, August 26-29) promises an exhilarating weekend for the entire family. For adults, there’s a choice of premium bars and food stalls, including artisan caterers, along with onsite boutique shopping. Kids won’t be left out with an array of included activities, from bouncy castles and tractor trailer rides to circus acts, birds of prey, and face painting, creating a vibrant family ambiance. For enthusiasts of animal entertainment, the pony and dog shows will be a major attraction. And with live music playing throughout the weekend, boredom is simply not an option. – Christopher Bridger
Chatsworth’s Exquisite Setting
Taking place amid the stunning parkland of Chatsworth House, the Chatsworth Country Fair (September 1-3) is a delightful occasion. This year’s admission is £27, granting you a front-row spot for mesmerizing equestrian displays, dressage performances, and charming British animal competitions such as ferret racing and adorable bunny rabbit contests. Alongside these attractions, you can experience a traditional funfair and engage in cooking masterclasses hosted by celebrity chefs. I personally attempted to create a rarebit pie pastry, a venture that was met with amusement from my wife and an expectant audience. The captivating panorama of the Peak District perhaps served as a bit of a distraction. – Nigel
Mark Your Calendar for July in East Yorkshire
For a captivating experience, mark your calendar for the Driffield Show in East Yorkshire next July (exact date to be confirmed). With its origins tracing back to 1854, this event is the social highlight of the year for local farmers. The show is adorned with prestigious awards like silver salvers, rose bowls, cups, and trophies, presented across categories for heavy horses, sheep, cattle, horses, and ponies. Even if you’re not well-versed in specialized knowledge, you’ll have the opportunity to distinguish between breeds such as Charolais, Dexter, and Limousin cattle, as well as to observe the distinctions among Oxford Down, Suffolk, and Hampshire sheep breeds. The event boasts engaging spectacles like “dancing diggers” in the main ring, a food theatre laden with tantalizing local products, and a horticultural marquee to cater to gardening enthusiasts. – Helen
Cumbrian Thrills: Wrestling and Delights
Regrettably, you’ll have to wait until August 2024 for the next Cockermouth Show in Cumbria. This event offers an extensive array of livestock, machinery, and traditional Cumbrian wrestling. Attendees can admire a diverse selection of beautiful farm animals including sheep, goats, and cattle. The show encompasses show jumping, sheep dog trials, and a delightful assortment of cake and craft competitions. Additionally, there’s a display of tractors. However, the ultimate highlight remains the fierce Cumbrian wrestling, an activity known for its intensity.
Aerial Extravaganza Close to Inverness
During the beginning of August, the Moy Country Fair, spanning two days, commemorates rural pursuits and unfolds at the Moy Estate near Inverness. This fair is a haven for people of all ages, presenting a range of attractions including demonstrations of gun dogs and farrier skills, pipe bands, falconry exhibitions, and daring mountain bike stunts. In addition to these spectacles, the fair hosts market stalls vending Scottish culinary delights and meticulously crafted goods – a plethora of offerings to fully immerse yourself in!
