Our pick of the best rural events that you should visit in 2018
20th May Leaden Boot Challenge A 26.2 mile walk or run with 5,800 feet of ascent, starting and finishing in the White Peak village of Alstonefield. www.leadenboot.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26th-28th May The Bushcraft Show Try your hand at woodland crafts, firelighting, shelter building, foraging and woodland games, or listen to interesting talks from survival experts. Beehive Farm, Woodland Lakes, Rosliston, www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24th June Derbyshire County Show Competitive classes for cattle, sheep and horses plus beautiful floral and craft displays. Locko Park, near Spondon, Derby, derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20th-22nd July Stainsby Festival Entirely run by unpaid volunteers, featuring mainly folk and world music, the Stainsby Festival celebrates its 50th year in 2018. Brunts Farm, Stainsby, Chesterfield, www.stainsbyfestival.org.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4th August World Hen Racing Championship Chickens are encouraged along a 20-metre track by their ‘coaches’. Barley Mow Inn, Bonsall www.barleymowbonsall.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8th August Ashover Show A traditional agricultural show with classes for livestock, light horses and horticulture plus a dog show, vintage cars and tractors. The Rectory Fields, Ashover, www.ashovershow.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11th August Manifold Show A showcase for the best local produce and livestock, with classes for heavy horses, rare breeds, cattle and pets. The Arbour, Casterne Hall, Ilam, www.manifoldshow.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18th August Ashbourne Show A popular traditional show – now in its 127th year – with competitive classes, an exciting main ring programme and around 150 quality trade stands. Osmaston Polo Ground, Ashbourne, www.ashbourneshow.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27th August Hope Show A celebration of the past farming year with agricultural classes, vintage vehicles, horticulture, crafts and sheep dog trials. The Showground, Marsh Farm, Castleton, www.hopeshow.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30th August-1st September Longshaw Sheepdog Trials Open class sheep dog trials where many of the ‘One Man and His Dog’ competitors will be taking part. Longshaw Pastures, Longshaw Lodge, Grindleford, www.longshawsheepdog.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31st August-2nd September Chatsworth Country Fair Celebrating all the countryside has to offer with a packed programme of grand ring entertainment, a cookery theatre and fine food village, parades, demonstrations, rural country crafts, have-a-go sports and over 300 quality trade stands. Chatsworth, chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1st September Turnditch and Windley Show Horse and pony show, pet show, vintage tractors and classes for flowers and produce. Wirksworth Road (B5023), Windley, turnditchandwindley.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7th-23rd September Wirksworth Festival Rural arts festival showcasing work from over 150 local and international artists, with a popular Art and Architecture Trail, music, dance, drama, street theatre and Fringe events. www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9th September Hartington Wakes The 121st Wakes, Sports and Country Show will include equestrian events, handicrafts, dogs, cattle and sheep. Hall Bank, Hartington, www.hartingtonwakes.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd October Brailsford Ploughing Match Traditional ploughing and hedgecutting competitions plus classes for sheep and cattle, and ladies’ and children’s sections. Fullwood Farm, Hulland Ward, Ashbourne, www.brailsfordploughingmatch.org.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
