What's On | Bakewell Country Festival | Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society

Bakewell Country Festival - What's On

Bakewell Country Festival 2025 will take place on Sunday 13th July. Read about 2024's packed attraction line-up below and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates about next year!

FAMILY FUN

CHILDREN'S TIPI

Join in with a craft session run by Bakewell AHS. Simply head to the tipi and join in - no need to book! Crafts sessions start from £2 - buy your tokens from the nearby token stall.

FREE FAMILY DRUMMING WORKSHOPS

Sheffield's Unbeatable Energy will be hosting lively African drumming workshops - a fun and inclusive activity for young people, children and families to come together and experience the joy of group drumming. Session times will be detailed on our website, social media and visitors' map.

FREE INTERACTIVE MUSIC SESSIONS

Youngsters can visit our children's tipi to participate in free interactive musical workshops with multi-instrumentalist Luke Carver Goss and musician and early years specialist Martin Harwood throughout the day. Just turn up and enjoy!

SMALL ANIMAL HANDLING

Flagg-based Lane End Farm Trust will be hosting small animal handling sessions all day, as well as offering the opportunity to meet larger four-legged farmyard friends! This not-for-profit charity offers animal care and horticulture experiences to disabled, disadvantaged and disengaged young people. Small fee applies.

KENNING PARK COMMUNITY FOREST SCHOOL

If you haven't met Michaela and Chris from Kenning Park Forest School in previous years then don't miss out this time around! Head to the Kids' Zone area to try your hand at their forest school workshops and activities.

MERCER FALCONRY STATIC DISPLAY

Join Dan from Swadlincote's Mercer Falconry to view and learn about some of his beautiful birds of prey. Dan has been a a falconer since 2013, having previously studied animal management.

TRADITIONAL CAROUSEL

Carousel and craft session tokens can be purchased from our token stall located alongside the attractions. Additional fairground rides will also be available with fares taken directly by operators.

GET HANDS-ON

THE EARTHED UP GROWING HUB

An exciting addition for 2024! Earthed Up! are an agroecological plant nursery based in Belper Lane End. They grow all their own plants peat-free without harmful chemicals and teach about edible and useful plants. Drop into their tipi at any time throughout the day to make a seed ball, or check out our visitors' map on arrival to join their workshops, such as Composting for Soil Health.

THORNBRIDGE BLOOMS FLOWER BAR

Maxine Harrison - aka Thornbridge Blooms - works with British flowers, which she sustainably grows and forages at nearby Thornbridge Hall in order to showcase what the British seasons and the Estate have to offer. Visit her flower bar to make your own creation!

WOODLAND WAYS BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL SKILLS

Internationally renowned but based from the Haddon Hall Estate, Woodland Ways Bushcraft & Survival Instructors will be providing you the opportunity to drop in and have a go at a variety of free workshops, such as Bow Drill Friction Fire Lighting, Spoon Carving (18+), Butter Knife Carving (8+) and making natural cordage (workshop themes TBC).
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by adult supervision.

MEDIEVAL VILLAGE WITH KNIGHTS OF HONOUR

Our medieval encampment will be back - but bigger and better! Visit the camp to witness aspects of medieval life, such as blacksmithing, candle making, combat displays and smelting (tbc)- with thanks to Knights of Honour Reenactment.

ARCHERY & CROSSBOW SESSIONS

Robin Hood wannabes can join On Point Archery to learn or hone their archery skills. Say hello to Jason and his team, try to hit the target with one (or all!) of your six arrows and win a certificate for your efforts! Fee applies.

CLIMBING WALL

Scale the dizzying heights of our climbing wall with Matlock's renowned adventure activity experts, Acclimbatize! Be sure to chat to the team to find out more about what they do and the courses they offer.

BAKEWELL W.I.

The Bakewell branch of the WI will be inviting visitors to join them in making bracelets and brooches (small fee), while imparting information about the value of the WI to the rural community.

COMPANION DOG SHOW

Enter your four-legged friend into our companion class for £1 and help raise money for the local air ambulance. Visit our Dog Show page for more information.

DOG FLYBALL

Another fun opportunity for doggy pals! Let them run off some energy on a flyball course. £3 per go.

ON STAGE

FESTIVAL STAGE

We'll be joined by The Old Time Rags, The Jelly Roll Jazz Band, The Lah Di Dahs and The Sons of Rodger for uplifting live sets on our stage throughout the day.

TALKS STAGE

Full details on our programme of free talks will be available on our free visitors' event map.

CULINARY THEATRE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH PURE PEAK MAGAZINE

Visit our cookery marquee for demonstrations by renowned local chefs in a programme curated by renowned local food writer, Lesley Draper. Chefs will be showcasing ingredients sourced locally where possible.

Please visit our Culinary Theatre page for details about the programme and demonstration times.

LOCAL FOOD & DRINK

STREET FOOD, BARS & TRADERS

Peruse our food vendors and enjoy refreshments from local producers and breweries around the Showground.

Once you've chosen your fare, pull up a hay bale and sit down while you enjoy entertainment on our stage or simply watch the world go by.

COMPETITIONS & CENTRE RING PROGRAMME

NEW! SHEEP COMPETITIONS

Sheep competitions will return to Bakewell Showground for the first time since 2017 thanks to local farmer Harry Madin. Details and entry information to be announced.

HEAVY HORSE COMPETITIONS

Heavy horse competitions return to Bakewell Showground's centre ring, commentated by Mike Bingham. Schedules and entry forms will be available on our heavy horse competition page. Competitions incluse a Young Handlers class - winner qualifies for the Young Handler championship at the Midland Shire Foal Show in September.

BRITISH SCURRY & TRIALS DRIVING COMPETITIONS

Please check back for details and timetable information.

SLOW VINTAGE TRACTOR RACE

It might be slow - but it's not to be missed! Whoever reaches the finish line slowest wins and we can't wait to witness this fun, noisy spectacle in our centre ring. With thanks to Liz, Martin and Josh Ambrey.

PONY CLUB

Pony Club musical displays will take place at intervals throughout the day.

CONSERVATION CORNER

PEAK DISTRICT CONSERVATION

We are passionate about providing a platform for local conservation and agricultural organisations to promote what they do and have an opportunity for our visitors to learn more about their great work. Organisations participating in 2024 include:

Peak District Moorland Group

Chesterfield & District Beekeepers' Association

Moors for the Future

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group

Dry Stone Walling Association - Derbyshire Branch

Cutthorpe Creamery

Bakewell Old House Museum

Rural Action Derbyshire

The Woodland Trust

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team

Travel Derbyshire

RURAL CRAFTS

RURAL CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS

Witness a variety of fascinating demonstrations from local rural craftspeople, with the opportunity to purchase some of these special handmade items. Participants include:

Andrew Lawton Furniture

Lola Felts Art

Malcom Ward Besom Broom Making

Andrew Frost Chainsaw Carving

Farriery Demonstrations

Spinning Demonstrations

VINTAGE TRACTORS & ENGINES

EXHIBITION

Our vintage tractor and engine exhibits are being arranged by Martin Ambrey of Ambrey Agricultural. If you are interested in exhibiting please send your details using our contact form. We also hope to have a traction engine on display.

BAKEWELL DOG SHOW

SATURDAY 13TH & SUNDAY 14TH JULY

This long-established event will take place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July.

For more information please visit our Dog Show page. The Bakewell Dog Show schedule and entry form will be available via Fosse Date. Please refer any questions to the secretary, as detailed in the schedule.