Lakeland Country Fair returns to Torver near Coniston on Sunday 16 August 2026, bringing fell racing, traditional Cumbrian sports, dog shows, rural skills and family entertainment to Little Arrow beneath the Coniston fells.
The fair opens at 12 noon. Admission is currently £7.50 for adults and £2.50 for children, and parking is free.
For anyone looking for something to do around Coniston this Sunday, here is the practical visitor guide.
Lakeland Country Fair 2026 at a glance
- Date: Sunday 16 August 2026
- Start time: 12 noon
- Location: Little Arrow, Torver, near Coniston, LA21 8AU
- Road: A593, a few miles west of Coniston village
- Adult admission: £7.50
- Child admission: £2.50
- Parking: free
- Food and drink: licensed bar, home-made refreshments and barbecue
- Senior fell race: 2.30pm
You can also use our Coniston destination guide if you are making a full day or weekend of the visit.
What happens at Lakeland Country Fair?
The event is designed as a celebration of traditional Cumbrian country life rather than a large commercial festival.
Regular attractions include terrier, lurcher and whippet classes, terrier racing, a family dog show, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, horn blowing, stick judging, a foxhound show and children's sports.
Sheep are also part of the programme, with hand-clipping demonstrations planned during the afternoon.
Traditional Cumbrian skills and displays
The organiser says visitors can expect demonstrations and displays including stick making, chair caning, fly tying, lacemaking, swill basket making, weaving, felting, spinning and sheep clipping.
Fell Ponies are also expected, with information about the native Cumbrian breed. Fell foxhounds and beagles form part of the show, and Young Farmers teams traditionally compete in tug-of-war.
The official website currently says the main ring attraction is still to be confirmed. Cumbria Guru has therefore not copied a main-ring act from an older programme.
Lakeland Country Fair fell races
Fell racing is one of the day's biggest sporting attractions.
The Fell Runners Association lists the senior race at 2.30pm. It covers approximately 9km with 705 metres of climbing, starting and finishing at the showfield at Little Arrow. The minimum age for the senior race is 18.
Race entry itself is free, although competitors must pay the normal Country Fair admission.
Junior racing starts earlier in the afternoon. The FRA currently lists the under-10 race at 1pm, followed by under-12/under-14 categories at 1.15pm, with further junior racing after that.
Is Lakeland Country Fair good for families?
Yes. Alongside the traditional show programme, the organiser advertises a children's area with attractions including a bouncy castle, roundabout, trampolines and other sideshows.
Children can also see the livestock, fell ponies and hounds, making the fair a useful option for families who want something distinctly Cumbrian rather than a standard indoor attraction.
Food and drink
The fair advertises a licensed bar, home-made refreshments and a barbecue.
As this is a one-day rural show, anyone with important dietary requirements should not assume every option will be available. Bringing water and a backup snack is sensible, particularly for younger children.
Where is Lakeland Country Fair?
The show takes place at Little Arrow, Torver, LA21 8AU, on the A593 west of Coniston village.
The setting looks across towards the Coniston fells and the Old Man of Coniston, giving the fair a particularly strong Lake District backdrop.
Parking
Parking is free according to the official 2026 fair information.
Because the site is rural and the event takes place on one day only, allow extra time for queues on the approach around midday. Follow temporary signs and steward instructions rather than relying solely on a sat-nav pin once you reach Torver.
Can you combine the fair with a visit to Coniston?
Torver is only a few miles from Coniston, so the event can be combined with a wider stay around the southern and western Lake District.
Coniston village, the lakeshore and local attractions can all become busy on summer weekends, so anyone planning to do more than the fair should build in extra travel time.
What still needs confirming?
The organiser has confirmed the date, noon start, admission prices, free parking and the core programme. The website still lists the main ring attraction as to be confirmed, so check the official site or event channels for any last-minute additions or weather-related changes before setting off.
Information checked on Saturday 15 August 2026 against the official Lakeland Country Fair website and Fell Runners Association race listing.
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