Cartmel Show celebrated a special anniversary as thousands of visitors braved the rain to attend the annual agricultural show.

The ‘Royal’ Cartmel Show celebrated 125 years at Cartmel Park, courtesy of the Holker Group.

Visitors saw record numbers of sheep and cattle with 692 sheep, 237 horse and 121 cattle entries, many of which have already been crowned winners at Great Yorkshire and other major shows.

For the first time Cartmel hosted a Longhorn Cattle Society Show with 18 rare beasts on display. In the main ring Lamb National Herdwicks jumped over fences with knitted jockeys on board, as well as terrier racing.

There was a chance to learn Morris Dancing and an interactive education area with the opportunity to milk a cow or drive a tractor. Among 110 trade stands and 29 craft exhibitors, a kids tractor park and a brass band featured. While activities, from archery to circus skills, a bouncy castle and birds of prey added to the attractions.

Local delicacies were available in the food hall and traditional sports like Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling were on show.

Traditional skills from painting to sewing, attracted more than 800 entries, many of them from children, with local schools heavily involved.

Show secretary Sarah Dickinson said: “There are lots of new attractions this year and despite the weather, the show promises to be a great occasion.”

Cartmel Show has been held on the first Wednesday of the month of August since 1872. It started on Farmery Fields, two fields north of the Priory, between the Vicarage and Greencroft on Priest Lane and was moved to Cartmel Park in 1897 when it grew larger.

Lucy Cavendish, chair of The Holker Group, said: “The Cavendish family and the whole Holker Group are extremely pleased to welcome the Cartmel Agricultural Show to Cartmel Park, the home of Cartmel Steeplechases. 

 “The Cartmel Show is one of the local calendar highlights of the year, which we take great pride in continuing to support.

“It is always a great pleasure to see the site transformed with so many exhibitors, entrants and visitors – it’s an annual pilgrimage for many that provides an opportunity to marvel at everything from the livestock and terrific Home Industries to the super food and drink available, whilst also giving a chance to see friends old and new.”