
Bakewell Country Festival - What's On
​
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.
​
FLOWER CROWN MAKING
Join mother-and-daughter-florist-hobbyists Julie and Chloe - aka The April Daisy - to make your own real flower crown for ultimate festival vibes. Token payments required, children £6, adults £10.
​
MAYFIELD ALPACAS
Join Mayfield Alpacas Animal Park for feeding sessions on the hour throughout the day. The team passionately focuses on animal welfare, education and conservation as well as engaging in a range of educational and training programmes for schools, communities and individuals interested in animal management.
​
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.
​
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!
​
SPOTTY OTTER
Spotty Otter, Derbyshire's very own high-performance outdoor clothing brand for children, will be located in our kids' zone offering opportunities to buy their fantastic nature boxes and participate in wooden medal making.
​
KENNING PARK FOREST SCHOOL
Join in with clay modelling and bracelet making sessions with Kenning Park Forest School, located next to the kids' tipi.
ARCHERY
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.
​
TRADITIONAL FERRIS WHEEL & CAROUSEL
Ferris wheel, carousel and craft session tokens can be purchased from our fairground ticket stalls located alongside the attractions.




​
LANCASTER BOMBER
FLY PAST
We are absolutely thrilled that visitors to Bakewell Country Festival will be able to witness a Lancaster Bomber flypast! Details and timings will be made available closer to the event so please keep an eye on our social media for updates. Our sincere thanks to the RAF and the MOD.
​
GET HANDS-ON
​
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:
​
11am: Bow Drill Friction Fire Lighting - come and have a go, ages 12+, up to 8 people. First come, first served.
12pm: Spoon Carving (18+), first come, first served up to 6 people.
2pm: Butter knife carving (8+), first come, first served, up to 6 people.
3pm: Bow Drill Friction Fire Lighting - as above. A hands-on practice at using friction to create fire.
Any time: Drop in and ask about trying to make natural cordage.
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by adult supervision.
​
MEDIEVAL VILLAGE
We are delighted to welcome Archaeological Research Services Ltd with Red Wyvern Re-enactment Society, who will be recreating a medieval encampment at the festival. Visit the camp to witness medieval life and participate in activities. ARS is the UK's premier heritage services provider.
​
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 and The Sons of Rodger for upliftting 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. Experience butchery demos from Ginger Butchers' Ed Armstrong, learn about beekeeping and discover information about the beautiful Peak District in a varied programme of talks and demonstrations,
​
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
​
FOOD COURTS, BARS & TRADERS
Head to one of our food courts to enjoy refreshments from local producers and breweries and keep an eye out for additional refreshments points as you head round the Showground. Vendor information will be updated regularly.
​
BREWERIES, BARS & COFFEE:
Bradfield Brewery
Joebie Espresso
Gin Muddlers
Hugo's Bar
The Pick Me Up Truck
Expecto Prosecco
Ned's Fire Engine Bar
Express-oh
Jack & Gin
Saddles Bar
Kawfee Ltd
In A Pig's Ear Cider
​
FOOD VENDORS
The Thai Food Van
Sunshine Pizza Oven
Mangiamo Street Kitchen
Ginger Cooks (Ginger Butchers)
Sweet Together
The Mexican Mare
Liz Kemp Butchers Hayfield
Fairy Floss Hot Doughnuts
Ray's Jacket Potatoes
M&L Agriculture Ltd
Frederick's of Chesterfield Ice Cream
JD Bespoke Bakes
Flippin' 'Eck! Pancake Bar
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.
​
CENTRE RING PROGRAMME
​
HEAVY HORSE COMPETITIONS
We are delighted to see heavy horse competitions return to Bakewell Showground, commentated by Delma Nulty. Schedules and entry forms are available on our heavy horse competition page.
NEW: Young Handler's 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.
​
PONY CLUB
Pony Club musical displays will take place at intervals throughout the day.
​
SHEEP AND COWS
Get up close and personal with a variety of rare and well-known breeds of sheep and cows. Wander round the pens and talk to farmers to learn more about their livestock and what it's like to farm in the Peak District.
​
CONSERVATION & RURAL CRAFTS
​
DRY STONE WALLING ASSOCIATION
We are delighted to be welcoming the Derbyshire branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association - a registered charity that works to advance education in the craft and heritage of dry stone walling for the public benefit.
​
FARRIERY
Want to know how to shoe a horse? Our farriers will show you how! With kind thanks to our head farrier Dorian Madin.
​
BESOM BROOM MAKING
Malcolm Ward returns to showcase his specialist skills.
​
WHEATCROFT WILLOW
Rachel Evans will demonstrate willow weaving techniques in our rural crafts tent.
​
HAZEL BASKETS & WOODWORKING
With Dan Lawrence. Details TBC.
​
JO GARDINER ART
Visit our rural crafts tent to see Jo's needlefelting skills.
​
GREAK OAK FORGE
Witness blacksmith Ben Cooper go hammer and tongs.
​
CHAINSAW CARVING
Tree and wood sculptor Andrew Frost will be creating more of his much-loved masterpieces.
​
ORGANISATIONS
Visit the far end of our centre ring to meet representatives from:
- The Peak District National Park Foundation
- Moors for the Future
- Peak District Moorland Group
- Kids Plant Trees
- Peak District Environmental Quality Mark
- Derbyshire Constabulary's Rural Crime Team
- Bakewell Fire Station (depending on availability)
- Alfreton Fire Station - Large Animal Rescue Team (depending on availability)
- Local Police service (depending on availability)
​
BAKEWELL DOG SHOW
​
SATURDAY 15TH & SUNDAY 16TH JULY
This long-established event will take place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July.
​
For more information please visit our Dog Show page - details to be announced in due course.
​
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.
​
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.
​
SHOPPING
​
LOCAL PRODUCERS
Shopping opportunities will focus on local producers who will be selling everything from handmade art, crafts and jewellery to food, drink and more.
















WHAT VISITORS ENJOYED IN 2023:
Bakewell Country Festival is a fundraising event for Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society (Charity No. 1045165).