Great Harwood Showground
ENTRY
from £8
WHERE
Blackburn
What it’s like
A one-day country show with sheepdogs, birds of prey and a sheep race, all in a single Bank Holiday Monday.
This is a proper old-fashioned agricultural show, not a theme park, and it only runs the one day a year, Spring Bank Holiday Monday. Kids get birds of prey swooping about, a sheepdog demonstration, a dog and pony show, and animal displays with cattle and heavy horses on show alongside the sheep. The sheep race is the one that'll get talked about on the drive home, it's daft and brilliant in equal measure.
There are free children's activities dotted about too, so it's not just standing and watching, though the flying displays and animal shows are clearly the main event. Gates open at 8:30am and it runs through to 5pm, which gives you a full day if you want it, or you can drift off after lunch if the little ones flag.
It's £8 on the gate for adults, and children aged 5 and under get in free, which softens the blow if you've got a mixed-age crew. Parking is free and on site, with blue badge parking and Rotary Club marshals pointing you the right way if you need it. There's food available from trade stands, and they take cash or card.
Being an outdoor showground event, it's very much a fair-weather sort of day, so a look at the forecast before you set off isn't a bad shout.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Young kids with free entry under 5, and school-age animal fans
- Parking
- Free on-site parking
- Worth knowing
- Children aged 5 and under enter free
- It's a single-day event once a year, not a place you can just turn up to any weekend
- Buy tickets online ahead or just pay cash or card at the gate
- Blue badge parking is available with marshals on hand to direct you
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
£8 for adults on the gate. Children aged 5 and under get in free.
Do we need to book ahead?
You can buy online in advance or just pay at the gate on the day, cash or card both work.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, free parking on site, with a blue badge area and Rotary Club volunteers directing cars.
What's on for the kids to do?
Free children's activities alongside the sheepdog demo, birds of prey display, dog and pony show and the sheep race, which is the one everyone remembers.
Is there food there?
Trade stands sell food and drink on site, and they take both cash and card.
When is it on?
It's an annual event on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, running 8:30am to 5pm.
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