The month of August is absolutely brimming with classic Cumbrian agricultural shows - so much so that we have put them in a handy table for you to peruse! There are also a couple of other summer festivals taking place, such as a classic car vehicle show, a family fun day at Muncaster Castle and a food festival featuring all things seafood.
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Agricultural Shows in the Lake District: August 2023
Agricultural shows are a big part of Lakeland culture with each show doing something a bit different from the next but largely all following the same principle – celebrating the agricultural & industrial labour of Cumbria. Whilst some shows are much smaller than others, many of them offer livestock exhibits and judging and/or horticultural exhibits & judging, as well as other forms of entertainment, such as wrestling, kids entertainment, craft marquees, food & drink stands, and live music.
In 2023, 19 out of Cumbria’s 33 agricultural shows are taking place in the month of August, so it’s a busy month for agricultural shows with something on every week! We’ve come up with a handy chart so you can easily search by area and date. Be sure to look at the official website for all the details of what you can expect on the day, entry costs, timings, where to find the venue (as they are often located in a field somewhere quite hard to find!), and any further information you may need.
| Agricultural Show | Location | Info | 2023 Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartmel Show | Cartmel, LA11 | Website | 2 Aug |
| Cockermouth Show | Cockermouth, CA13 | Website | 5 Aug |
| Appleby Show | Appleby, CA16 | Website | 10 Aug |
| Dalston Show | Dalston, CA5 | Website | 12 Aug |
| Rydal Show | Ambleside, LA22 | Website | 17 Aug |
| Brough Agricultural Show | Brough, CA17 | Website | 17 Aug |
| Gosforth Show | Gosforth, CA20 | Website | 19 Aug |
| Rusland Show | Rusland Valley, LA12 | Website | 19 Aug |
| Lakeland Country Fair | Torver, LA21 | Website | 20 Aug |
| Hawkshead Show | Hawkshead, LA22 | Website | 22 Aug |
| Selside & Grayrigg Show | Selside, LA8 | Website | 24 Aug |
| Patterdale Dog Day | Patterdale, CA11 | Website | 26 Aug |
| Dufton Agricultural Show | Dufton, CA16 | Website | 26 Aug |
| Millom & Broughton Agricultural Show | Broughton, LA20 | Website | 26 Aug |
| Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show | Grasmere, LA22 | Website | 27 Aug |
| Kentmere Sheep Show | Kentmere, LA8 | Website | 27 Aug |
| Keswick Show | Keswick CA12 | Website | 28 Aug |
| Black Combe Country Fair | Bootle, LA19 | Website | 28 Aug |
| Ennerdale Show | Kirkland, CA26 | Website | 31 Aug |
August at the Heron Corn Mill
There are a number of events taking place at the Heron Corn Mill in the month of August, including:
- Friday, 4th August - Mill Tour & Milling Demonstration: heronmill.org/mill-tours-and-milling-demonstrations
- Friday, 4th August - Foodie Fridays: heronmill.org/foodie-fridays
- Wednesday, 9th August - Flash Art Workshops - Superhero Me: heronmill.org/flash-art-workshops
- Thursday, 10th August - Flash Art Workshops - Scrap Monster Mayhem heronmill.org/flash-art-workshops
- Friday, 11th August - Flash Art Workshops - Junk Journals: heronmill.org/flash-art-workshops
- Wednesday, 16th August - Trails and Tales: heronmill.org/trails-tales-heritage-walks
Lake District Sheep Dog Trials
The Lake District Sheep Dog Trials is taking place on Thursday, 10th August from 9.30am. This is an open sheep dog trials, which goes on all day long with prizes for the winner, best and novice dogs. There will also be three hound trails at 1pm, 2.15pm, and 2.45pm.
Additionally, there are a terrier and open family dog show classes, as well as trade stands, a bar and refreshments throughout the day. Entry is £7 for adults, which includes a programme, and under 16s are free. The event is located at Hill Farm, Ings, LA8 9QQ and can be found at this precise What3Words location: waffle.preparing.recent.
Wannasee Penrith 2023
The Wannasee Penrith 2023 Festival will be taking place from Friday, 25 August to Sunday, 27 August with advance discount tickets now available. The festival features tribute bands of your favourite performers over the years.
The Fell Pony Society: Breed Show
The Fell Pony Society is having their annual Breed Show at Dalemain House & Gardens on Sunday, 6 August from 10am to 5pm. The event is held in the West Park over the Coach Bridge at Dalemain.
Cumbria Classic & Motorsport Show
Another event taking place at Dalemain is the Cumbria Classic and Motorsport Show on Sunday, 20 August from 11am to 4.30pm. There will be more than 800 vehicles to view with auto tests, arena displays and live music.
Taste Cumbria: Maryport – Taste of the Sea
Anyone fond of seafood should head to Taste Cumbria: Maryport for their Taste of the Sea food festival. The dates are Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August, 2023. Whilst this is not technically in the Lake District, Maryport is located 21km west of Keswick on Cumbria’s beautiful coastline. There will be a producers’ market on Senhouse Street, an outdoor picnic with live music, food & drink stalls, fairground rides, as well as entertainment for the whole family.
Race the Tide
Race the Tide is an obstacle tackling, running, ceilidhing, camping weekend and takes place at Muncaster Castle from the 11th to the 14th of August. You can join as a competitor or just as a spectator with all the details you’ll need found on the official Race the Tide website.
Bee Fest
Bee Fest is taking place on Saturday, 19 August at Muncaster Castle, which is both a music festival and fun day on the castle lawns. The day starts with a magic show at 10.30am with live music starting at 12 noon. Then at 1pm a bar will open for refreshing beverages with bouncy inflatables, trampolines, glitter tattoos, face painting, crazy golf and more.
Walby Farm Park: Summer Fun on the Farm Continues
Walby Farm Park continues its Summer Fun on the Farm event throughout the month of August all the way up until 6 September for kids and their families on summer break. Here you can meet farm animals up close, play on giant slides, ride an electric mini quad and much more! There are even a few extra events happening in the month of August, including:
- W/C 7 August: Pond Dipping
- W/C 14 August: Meet the Dinosaurs
- Mon 21 & Tues 22 August: Birds of Prey
- W/C 28 August: Foot & Frisbee Golf