Lake District: Thousands flocked to Cartmel Agricultural Show 2025

The Cartmel Agricultural Society event was held at the racecourse on Wednesday.

Lovingly nicknamed The ‘Royal’ Cartmel Show by locals, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

While the livestock and horse classes were the main focus of the day, there was also a dog show, crafts and stalls selling all sorts of local products.

As well as cute calves and handsome horses, visitors could see vintage tractors and vehicles or watch the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.

Children could enjoy the face painting and other activities and there was plenty of different delicious foods to try.

Alex Burch’s sheep Laskar won Supreme Champion and female champion Valais Blacknose.

Judge (left) and Alex Burch (right) with Supreme Champion and female Champion Valais Blacknose. (Image: Newsquest) Alex said: “This is my fourth year showing, Cartmel was my first. It’s brilliant, it’s our local show and it’s a lovely one that I enjoy coming to. I’m chuffed to bits with the result, really happy.”

Neil Sowerby, Chairman of Cartmel Agricultural Society (Image: Newsquest)Chairman of Cartmel Agricultural Society Neil Sowerby said: “It’s a busy day and a successful one so far. We’re very grateful for the dry weather and the excellent crowds.

“It’s very gratifying to see the amount of public support after all the hard work the committee has put into the show with early starts and late finishes. The hard work all the exhibitors of stock have put into their animals is excellent. The various village industries and rural crafts on display, the horticulture, are a credit to everyone involved. There’s something for everyone, it’s a real family day out.”

Thor Atkinson and his son Frankie, age 11, attended from Arrad Foot and Newland Pedigree Livestock farm in Ulverston.

Their stock won Best Continental Bull, Best Cow and Calf, Best Limousin and Best Native.

Frankie, age 11, with winner of Best Cow and Calf (Image: Newsquest) Thor said: “We’ve been showing ten years and always come to Cartmel. It’s fantastic, a great day, the weather’s great, can’t fault it. I’m pleased with how its going, we’re not finished yet, but it’s looking good at the moment.”

Katy Appleby was showing her grandfather Edward Shuttleworth’s horses. Edward has been showing for over 30 years.

Edward Shuttleworth’s granddaughter Katy Appleby and great granddaughter Edie, age three, with Darcy and Tommy (Image: Newsquest) Katy was at the show with shire horses Mountbarrow Tommy Tucker, age four months, and his mum, Mountbarrow Miss Darcy May, age four years.

Tommy is Darcy’s first foal.

Tommy won Best Heavy Horse Foal and Darcy won Best Brood Mare with Foal at Foot and was named Reserve Champion overall Heavy Horse.

Katy said: “We’re at Cartmel every year. It’s a really good day, lovely weather, and it seems busy. Tommy has performed very, very well and been beautiful.”

Joe Shaw from Old Hall Farm at Bouth arrived with two shire horses and a steam powered fire engine from the 1900s.

Joe with his stepdaughter, Izzy, age seven (Image: Newsquest) The horses put on a display pulling the machine which weighs three tons.

Joe said: “Cartmel is our local show, we come pretty much every year. It’s a beautiful day. The horses have had a lot of attention, everyone has loved petting and seeing the horses. It’s nice to interact with people.”

John Waller, from Killington, was judging the Dairy classes.

John Waller (left) with champion dairy cow and her owner, Wayne Inman (right) from Witherslack (Image: Newsquest) John said: “The standard was excellent. 16 young handlers, 16 maiden heifer calves. Had a really tough time judging, really hard placing. The milking classes were as good as you see nationally. The quality was outstanding. I’ve not been to Cartmel show for 25 years. It’s been a real honour to judge here today.”