ShowDayGuide

Vale of Rydal Sheepdog Trials & Hound Show

Thursday 12 August 2027 (to be confirmed)
Rydal Park, Ambleside, Cumbria(LA22 9PN)

The Vale of Rydal Sheepdog Trials & Hound Show, known locally as Rydal Show, is a traditional one-day Lakeland show held on a Thursday in August in Rydal Park, just outside Ambleside in the Lake District. The 2027 show is expected on Thursday 12 August, to be confirmed by the show; the 2026 show on 13 August was the 122nd. The first trials and hound show were held in the park in June 1901, and it is still run by a volunteer committee. Sheepdog trials run all day, with dogs gathering, driving and penning fell sheep. Around them are the beagle, harrier, fell foxhound and terrier shows, ending in a supreme champion, hound trails, sheep-shearing demonstrations, a shepherds' crooks and sticks show, a gundog demonstration and scurry, and young handlers and a novelty dog show. There are trade stands, street food and a licensed bar all day.

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What to expect

Date & times
Thursday 12 August 2027 (to be confirmed)
Getting there
Rydal Park, Ambleside, Cumbria (LA22 9PN for sat nav)
Dog friendliness
3 🐾 — dogs welcome with some restrictions
Accessibility
Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking, Accessible viewing areas.
Vendors & traders
Vendor list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when show goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when show goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when show goes live

Dog friendliness

3/5
Dogs are welcome at this show, on a lead, across the outdoor showground.
Dogs allowed in:
  • Outdoor areas (on a lead)
Things for dogs to do:
  • Fun dog show
  • Gundog scurry
Notes
Dogs are welcome. There's a novelty dog show and young handlers' classes in the afternoon, and a gundog scurry open to all dogs, with entries for both taken on the day.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.

Accessibility

No accessibility features confirmed yet.
Not confirmed:
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Step-free access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking / blue badge parking
  • Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The show is held in parkland. The show doesn't publish accessibility details, so please check with it before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
When is Rydal Show 2027?
The 2027 show is expected on Thursday 12 August, to be confirmed by the show. It is held on a Thursday in August; in 2026 it was Thursday 13 August.
Where is it?
In Rydal Park, just outside Ambleside in the Lake District. The showground postcode is LA22 9PN.
How much are tickets, and where do I buy them?
2027 prices haven't been published yet. In 2026 adult tickets (17 and over) were £8 in advance or £10 on the gate, and children's tickets (16 and under) £3 in advance or £5 on the gate; a programme voucher was £3 in advance or £4 on the day. Tickets are sold only through the show's website, and entry on the day can't be guaranteed because of capacity limits, so booking ahead is wise.
Do I need signal for my e-ticket?
E-tickets are scanned at the gate, and mobile internet at the showground can't be relied on, so download or save your tickets before you set off. Ticket questions can't be dealt with at the gate.
What time does it start?
In 2026 the sheepdog trials ran from 8am to 6pm, the hound shows started from 10am, and the supreme champion was judged at 4pm. 2027 times are still to be confirmed.
What's on?
Sheepdog trials all day; beagle, harrier, fell foxhound and terrier shows; hound trails; sheep-shearing demonstrations; shepherds' crooks and sticks; a gundog demonstration and scurry; young handlers and a novelty dog show.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome. There's a novelty dog show and a gundog scurry open to all dogs in the afternoon, with entries taken on the day.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. In 2026 there were trade stands, street food and a licensed bar all day.
Can I enter the trials or the hound show?
The sheepdog trials and hound classes take entries through the show in advance; the crooks and sticks show, hound trails, novelty dog show and gundog scurry take entries on the day.

Is this your show?

This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Vale of Rydal Sheepdog Trials & Hound Show. If you're on the committee, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.

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