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

Bakewell Country Festival - What's On

Bakewell Country Festival 2025 will take place on Bakewell Showground on Sunday 13th July. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

FAMILY FUN

CHILDREN'S CRAFT TIPI

It's craft sessions galore in our double big hat tipi! Decorate a gingerbread or make a magnificent scrap creation with the imaginative Kate from Sheffield craft club Timmy Sweetcorn! Simply join in on arrival - no need to book! Crafts start from £2.

FREE: FAMILY DRUMMING WORKSHOPS

Sheffield's Unbeatable Energy will be hosting lively African drumming workshops in our music tipi. Session times will be detailed on our 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!

FREE: CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOPS

Join The Circus Academy from Leek to test your skills of juggling, balancing and manipulation!

FREE: KENNING PARK COMMUNITY FOREST SCHOOL

Join Michaela and Chris from Kenning Park Forest School to try your hand at some forest school activities. Some activities free, small donation for others.

SMALL ANIMAL HANDLING

With Flagg-based Lane End Farm Trust - a not-for-profit charity offering animal care experiences to disabled, disadvantaged and disengaged young people. Small fee applies.

TRADITIONAL CAROUSEL

Please note that carousel rides will be by card payment only. Additional fairground rides will also be available with fares taken directly by operators.

FACE PAINTING

Because who doesn't want to go home with Spiderman?

GET HANDS-ON

FREE: THE EARTHED UP GROWING HUB

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. Check out our visitors' map on arrival for details on their talks and activities.

FREE: 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 supervised by an adult.

FREE: 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 huge thanks to Knights of Honour Reenactment.

ARCHERY & CROSSBOW SESSIONS

Robin Hood wannabes can join On Point Archery to test their archery skills. Say hello to Jason and his team, try to hit the target 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. Fee applies.

EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES

Look round a decommissioned police car, climb aboard a fire engine and find out how our brilliant local large animal rescue team operates - as well as getting to speak to the mazing people who carry out these vital roles. Please note that attendance of vehicles is subject to their availability.

TRACTION ENGINES

TBC.

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.

NEW! CLASSIC CAR DISPLAY

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our volunteer Mr Andrew Harrison for bringing classic cars back to Bakewell Showground. Please visit our Classic Car Display page for information on how to enter your vehicle.

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.

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.

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

SHEEP COMPETITIONS

Sheep competitions will be back for their second year thanks to local farmer Harry Madin. Details and entry information to be announced.

HEAVY HORSE COMPETITIONS INCLUDING HOYS QUALIFIER

We are thrilled to have been awarded a HOYS qualifying class for the first time in 2025. Schedules and entry forms will be available shortly on our heavy horse competition page.

Classes include a Young Handlers class - winner qualifies for the Young Handler championship at the Midland Shire Foal Show in September. Thanks to Mike Bingham for our commentary.

HAWKEYE FALCONRY DISPLAY

Enjoy a static display throughout the day as well as two 30-minute flying displays in our centre ring. Please consult your visitor map for timings on arrival.

BRITISH SCURRY & TRIALS DRIVING COMPETITIONS

Fast-paced entertainment for the whole family! Pull up a chair or a straw bale at the edge of the ring to witness this speedy spectacle in action.

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 so far include:

Peak District Moorland Group

Chesterfield & District Beekeepers' Association

Moors for the Future

Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group

Cutthorpe Creamery

Bakewell Old House Museum

Rural Action Derbyshire

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team

The Shire Horse Society

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 to be announced.

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

SUNDAY 13TH JULY

This long-established event will take place on Sunday 13th July only.

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.