Some of the world's most distinctive sheep are heading to Carlisle this week as the Blacknose Beauties National Show & Sale celebrates its 10th anniversary at H&H Borderway Mart.
The two-day Valais Blacknose event takes place on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August 2026 at Borderway, Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS. Carlisle's official visitor site lists free public entry.
Blacknose Beauties 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August 2026
- Venue: H&H Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS
- Public admission: free according to Discover Carlisle
- Friday: grading and show programme
- Saturday: grading, show and national sale
- Anniversary: 10th Blacknose Beauties National Show & Sale
- Breed: Valais Blacknose sheep
What is Blacknose Beauties?
Blacknose Beauties is the flagship national show and sale organised around the Valais Blacknose breed in the UK.
The breed comes from the Swiss Valais and is instantly recognisable for its long white fleece, black face, black ears and dark markings on the knees and feet. Its appearance has helped earn it the frequently used nickname of the world's cutest sheep.
The Carlisle event is serious pedigree livestock business as well as a visitor spectacle. Breeders bring animals for official grading, show classes and the sale, while visitors can see some of the highest-profile Valais Blacknose stock in the country in one venue.
What happens over the two days?
The Valais Blacknose Society describes the 2026 format as:
- Friday 21 August: grading and show.
- Saturday 22 August: grading, show and sale.
The event also includes championship classes, young-handler activity, trade stands and opportunities to meet breeders and learn more about the breed.
The Society has named Romeo Eggel, Baptist Eggel, Phillip Millius and Richard Zeiter as the 2026 graders, with Marita Tauni and Raymond Irvine hosting.
Is Blacknose Beauties free to visit?
Discover Carlisle lists public visitor admission as free.
The £35 grading/show fee and £25 sale-entry fee shown on the Valais Blacknose Society website are fees for exhibitors entering animals. They are not visitor ticket prices.
That distinction matters because agricultural-event listings can easily make exhibitor fees look like public admission charges.
Friday evening social gathering and charity activity
The Valais Blacknose Society is also holding a Friday-evening social gathering. A charity raffle and auction will raise money for Make-A-Wish UK.
The social gathering is a separate organised element of the weekend, so visitors should check the Society's current booking information rather than assume it is included in general free visitor entry.
Can you watch if you cannot get to Carlisle?
The Society has announced live-streaming coverage for Blacknose Beauties 2026, providing another way to follow the judging and sale activity. Check the event organiser's current streaming links close to the event.
Getting to Borderway Mart
Borderway Mart is at Rosehill on the eastern side of Carlisle, close to Junction 43 of the M6 and the A69.
It is around two miles from Carlisle Citadel railway station. Visitors arriving by train will need onward bus, taxi or other local transport.
Planning a Carlisle stay
The show can be combined with a wider Carlisle visit, including the city centre, Tullie, Carlisle Castle and local food and accommodation.
Use the Cumbria Guru Carlisle guide to plan the rest of your trip.
Information checked 17 August 2026 against the Valais Blacknose Society, Harrison & Hetherington and Discover Carlisle. Detailed programme times can still be updated by the organiser.
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