Baa-riliant family fun at a farming show

Agriculture shows are a huge part of the farming culture. Across the Lake District and Cumbria there are several shows that take place during the year – a place where you can take a peek into the life of a farmer. You can find a list of the various shows on our website.

What is an agricultural show?

Agricultural shows, also referred to as a farming shows or county shows, are part of our cultural heritage and are as much about people, traditions and community as the animals and work.

The shows are public events and are a great day out for the whole family, come rain or shine! From a variety of breeds of sheep, cows and horses to smaller animals like rabbits and guinea pigs, there's a whole host of things little ones will love seeing. Watch as the farmers show off their livestock for judging, see which sheep is celebrated for having the best fleece or observe a goat milking competition.

Once you have seen the animals you can head over to the craft tents to discover an aray traditional craft making. Discover unique jewellery and hidden gems whilst discovering the skills involved in lace or crook making. Look out for demonstrations and traditional rural activities such as Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling. You could say visiting the food tent and stalls is leaving the best till last, where you can sample and buy local produce.

Why are farming shows important?

The shows are a place where farmers can get together and show their livestock, that they have been working so hard to produce and nurture throughout the year. Farmers are often working in rural locations around the Lake District therefore, farming shows offer a place that they can all get together, have a chat, compare their stock, and support each other.

These events are educational and support the local farming community. Visitors can learn about where their food comes from, find out about conservation and even discover a new hobby.

Our Farming Officer, Jasmine Holliday, shares why she loves visiting the shows:

“The great thing about shows is the turnout despite the weather. Looking back to Cartmel Show in early August a dark cloud loomed over the show field all day, drenching us with sideways rain for most of the morning, reversing the hard work farmers had undertaken dressing livestock to look their best on the day.

Everyone donned their waterproofs as the show would not be stopped, and smiling faces prevailed through the mud. I watched from the side of the sheep pens at the well-oiled machine, shepherds bringing out their sheep to be judged, many Herdwicks colored red in a tradition that dates back centuries.”

What role do we play?

The Lake District National Park Authority will sponsor 30 agricultural shows and events in total this year, this includes shows, sheep dog trials, shepherds meets, livestock sales and young handlers events. We sponsor classes that are linked to World Heritage, for example traditional hill sheep breeds, sheep dog trials or shepherds crook classes. Small agricultural shows can struggle to keep going without financial support.

Agricultural events are very important to the cultural heritage of the Lake District, they have been going on for hundreds of years. They are an opportunity for farmers to show livestock ready for the sales in autumn, but they are also important dates on the social calendar. Shows are a great chance to bridge farming and the wider community, showcasing livestock and produce.

Did you know?

The Lake District National Park was inscribed as a ‘cultural landscape World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO, recognising the role that people have played in shaping the Lake District from industry to farming.

Our Farming Officers, Jasmine Holliday and Eliza Hodgson, will attend various farming shows to connect and engage with farmers. We currently have funding through the Defra-created Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. So far, we have funded hundreds of farmers and there’s still funding available to farmers playing their part in looking after this special place. These farming events provide a great opportunity for our Farming Officers to speak to farmers and offer this available funding.

Discover our gallery from a visit to Cartmel Show.