How it began
The sports grew out of the hiring and sheep fairs that Grasmere held in the mid-nineteenth century, when farm workers and shepherds tested their strength and speed against each other. Wrestling and fell running were the natural contests of the Lakeland valleys, and Grasmere became their great stage. The show still leans into its farming roots, and families return over generations, with some wrestlers and runners following their great-grandparents onto the same field. 2026 marked 50 years since one of the Guides race’s long-standing records was set.
What happens on the day
Gates open in the morning on the Stock Lane showfield, and the programme runs through the day. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is the headline: pairs take hold of each other round the back and try to make the opponent touch the ground with anything but their feet. The Senior Guides fell race, straight up the steep fellside and back down, is the race everyone watches. There are also hound trails across the fells, track events, sheepdog displays, terrier shows, a tug-of-war and music, with trade stands and food around the field.
Tips for the day
The organiser’s current 2027 information advertises free entry on the gate. Check for changes before travelling. The best views of the Guides race are from the field looking up at the fell. Wrestling entries and many races are open on the day, so check the programme if you want a go. Bring a waterproof, sun cream and binoculars for the fell races. Dogs and children are both well catered for.
Joining in
Each sport has its own way in, and getting through the showfield gate doesn’t enter you in a race. Junior and senior Guides Race entrants are sent to Events Up North. Follow the link from the show website and check the edition, age category, requirements and whether entries are open before you submit anything. If the link still mentions an earlier race, ask the organisers — don’t assume your entry carries over to the next one.
The programme also features wrestling, hound racing, junior athletics, a fun dog show and more. Draw up a shortlist of what your family wants to try, then find the right entry route for each in the current programme. Some events are for trained competitors or experienced handlers, and simply watching is a fine introduction. Keep competition kit in a separate bag so you’re not unpacking the picnic by the registration desk. If you’re just visiting, keep clear of the course and the competitors’ routes, especially when a race is coming back into the field.
Practical bits
Getting there and home
Windermere station is at the end of the branch line from Oxenholme, which has direct trains from London, Manchester and Scotland. From Windermere, buses run through Ambleside to Grasmere. Driving, the village is on the A591, but parking is limited and the road is busy on a bank holiday weekend, so arrive early or use the bus. The showfield is a short walk from the village centre.
What to bring
Think of the day in two halves: watching sport on the field and getting around a busy outdoor show. Wear shoes you can stand in comfortably that cope with damp grass. A small sitting mat saves carrying a chair; ask where you’re allowed to put it before settling beside an arena. Keep binoculars or a camera handy for the action further out, and keep straps and bags out from under passing feet.
In 2026 the organisers announced a water-bottle filling station as part of their sustainability news. Bring a reusable bottle, then check the site map or ask a steward whether it’s still there and where to find it — a bottle of your own is worth packing either way. Sort your picnic packaging before you leave your accommodation, and use the show’s disposal points rather than stuffing everything into one bag. With children, choose a meeting point away from the sports areas and agree who’s in charge when one adult nips off to an entry desk or food stall.
Questions people ask
When is the next show?
The organiser’s homepage says Sunday 29 August 2027. Check the programme again before travelling.
Is entry free?
The organiser’s 2027 information advertises free entry on the gate. Check the latest arrangements before travelling; competition entry is separate.
Does show admission enter me in the Guides Race?
No. Junior and senior Guides Race entries have their own registration link. Make sure you choose the right edition and category.
Should I bring a water bottle?
Yes. A filling station was announced in the 2026 sustainability news; check it’s still running and where it is.
Plan your trip
Stay the night
Search places to stay in and around Grasmere for 29 August 2027. Rooms near popular events go early, so check cancellation terms.
Find a place to stay on Booking.comNearest station: Windermere
Windermere station is about eight miles away, with regular buses through Ambleside to Grasmere. The showfield is on Stock Lane, a short walk from the village centre.
Check trains on TrainlineBooking.com and Trainline links are affiliate links. What that means.
Where it is
The pin shows the approximate area. Open in OpenStreetMap
Make a weekend of it
Wordsworth Grasmere brings together Dove Cottage, the museum, the garden-orchard and woodland — a good pairing if you want the literary story alongside the sporting one. Cottage visits are by timed entry, so book a slot rather than strolling over between races and expecting to walk straight in. It isn’t open every day of the week, so check your date carefully if you’re planning a bank holiday stay.
Allan Bank, another National Trust property in Grasmere, sits on the hillside above the village. The approach is uphill, Blue Badge parking is limited and there’s no general visitor parking on site. Read its access guide if slopes or mobility scooters are a concern. Pick whichever suits your interests and visit the day before or after the show, so the showfield gets your full attention. Neither ticket is included with the sports, and neither is a back-up car park for the show. Book and plan them separately.
Odd things nearby
- Grasmere Rushbearing 0 miles away, A Saturday in mid-July, usually the second Saturday (formerly near St Oswald’s Day, 5 August)
- Ambleside Rushbearing 3 miles away, Usually the first Saturday in July
- Egremont Crab Fair and Gurning World Championships 20 miles away, Third Saturday in September
Also in August
- The Burryman South Queensferry, Edinburgh
- Brambles Bank cricket match The Solent, Hampshire
- Cilgerran Coracle Races Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire
- Ould Lammas Fair Ballycastle, County Antrim
About this guide
Check before you go. The organiser announces Sunday 29 August 2027 with free gate entry. Recheck admission, competition entry and the programme before travelling.
About the date. The organiser’s homepage explicitly lists Sunday 29 August 2027 and free entry on the gate.
Researched from the sources below and last checked on . We haven’t visited every event or tested every journey, and the organiser’s own information always wins.
