I have tried to find a site that lists "festivals" during the time I will be in England and Scotland but am obviously using wrong key words...... Interested in medieval jousting type events, folk festivities, sheep herding trials, fox hunts (I don't like the end of the hunt, but to see the riders).....anything else traditional......
thanks in advance
Whereabouts in England are you visiting?
Might be best if you search local visitor websites eg
https://www.golakes.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on.aspx
https://www.yorkshire.com/things-to-do/events/listings
which will show events
Narrowing your search to just the cities and towns you're going to be in/very near would be my suggestion as well. Otherwise you could end up sorting through a lot of events which are nowhere close to where you are going to be.
You won't find a site that provides a countrywide list of such events. Searching for festivals in the UK will pretty much result in a list of music festivals.
I can't really think of any medieval jousting events other than occasionally at Warwick Castle or other castles owned by English Heritage. They're not particularly interesting, merely aimed at entertaining children. For sheep herding trials you're going to need to identify the areas you're going to be visiting and search local websites to establish when any might be taking place.
Fox hunting has been outlawed for several years now although hunts are permitted to hunt a scented trail even though this inevitably leads to them encountering a fox and the dogs acting on instinct. Of course the riders do nothing to prevent this occurring and will gleefully pursue the fox with scant regards to the trespass and damage to land, livestock etc in their bloodthirsty pursuit. As you can tell I'm no fan of fox hunting in any shape or form. I'm sure you can find details for hunts but I would prefer not to encourage or assist anyone in supporting this barbaric practice in any manner, even if it is only to see the riders in their outfits.
There will be many craft fairs, local livestock fairs, historic re-enactments etc. all across the country, particularly in the summer but you will need to narrow down the locations and search from there. Some are well advertised, others less so.
Starting in London May 11, then to York May 18
Hi Marna -
The Otley Show, the oldest and biggest single day agricultural show in England, takes place on May 19th 2018. Otley is reachable from York by train to Leeds, Wharfedale line train to Menston and then connecting bus into Otley (bus is usually there to meet certain of the trains). There is show jumping (equestrian), livestock exhibition and contests (unsure about sheepdog trials as they are usually separate contests) and various stands and exhibitions. I enjoy the 'sheep show' (who knew sheep could be so entertaining?!), the birds of prey if they are there and because I'm a Yorkshireman, the ferrets! It's big, starts early and once the main show is over there a funfair for the youngsters - the farmers and older persons retire to the pub, which Otley has plenty of! See www.otleyshow.org.uk.
As for jousting, the Royal Armouries in the centre of Leeds has its own tilt yard for jousting and mediaeval fighting contests (knights in armour) but the events calendar on The Royal Armouries website only runs up to April of this year so far. Might be worth further investigation. Again, Leeds is rapidly reached by frequent trains from York.
For further events you could try 'agricultural shows North Yorkshire 2018' - I got a list of shows for the year, but am unsure of whether any further shows take place while you are in the north of England.
Hope some of this might be useful. I might add the Otley is only three miles down the valley from my own home!
Ian
I recommend taking a look at the York Visitor's guide - link below. I read it last weekend and was surprised to see all kinds of "extra" things beyond what is already a city with a lot to do! The one that caught my eye was the pop-up theatre, but others may interest you:
https://www.visityork.org/information/york-visitor-guides.aspx
Whatever kind of hunting hounds-and-horses goes on, spectators are definitely not welcome. However, some places have diverted their energies and resources into horse exhibitions and tests. For instance, the Badminton Horse Trials has grown by leaps and bounds (puns fully intended) into a tourist attraction. Badminton House has been the home of the Dukes of Beaufort on a 59,000-acre estate that is picture-postcard England in the southern part of the Cotwolds. Photos:
https://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrBTzHIdXxaZKMAUhPrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=%2Bbadminton+House+and+Duke&fr=crmas
Prince Charles used to ride with the Duke's hunt before it became improper. Turns out that without foxes there is profit to be made from displays of dressage, jumping, and cross-country trials for the well-bred. Horses, I mean. For their masters, tweeds, wellies, and obedient dogs are traditional accessories. Even game-keepers remain a legitimate occupation here. The one I met in the local pub had developed a disconcerting affection for the Colorado Avalanche hockey team courtesy of a ski vacation to those mountains. Her springer spaniel, seated on the adjoining bar stool, put its nose in my beer. Friendly place, even if many of the locals hold down very modern jobs in London. https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
You could search for county shows. Most English and Welsh counties will have a show in the summer, which is a mixture of agricultural show and traditional crafts, culture and so on (plus beer and cider). The size and quality varies and not all have sheepdog trials, but the websites will detail what's on offer and when the show runs.
Here’s a list of county/agricultural shows. All different sizes and types. I have experience of Lincolnshire, which is a big & very good proper agriculture show with cattle, sheep, tractors etc plus good food and fun activities. http://www.stackyard.com/orgs/agricultural_shows/dates.html
Antique shows and street markets abound in the UK and are always entertaining. If you want to see horses; there are several traditional race tracks as well as well as steeplechase events. Churches often have festivals and rummage sales. Some have delightful tea rooms. Look up the National Trust UK web site; they have events listed in the different property locations, usually by the current season.
