Your Essential Guide on What To Do in the British Countryside In July 2024
Over the past few months, we've been thrilled to hear your stories and see your photos from the beautiful countryside events featured in our April, May, and June guides. Your adventures have made us wish we could be in so many different places at once!
Of course, we're keeping the ball rolling and bringing you another instalment, this time packed with exciting events for July - including some fantastic activities for kids over the summer holidays.
Please note that every effort has been made to provide the correct information here below, but we advise referring to the official websites or social media platforms for each event to stay up-to-date.
Henley Royal Regatta
- Location: Henley-on-Thames
- Date: Tuesday 2nd - Sunday 7th July 2024
- Time: Provisional racing times are 9AM (Tues - Fri), 10AM (Sat), 11AM (Sunday)
The best-known regatta in the world attracts thousands of visitors, where spectators can watch over 300 races featuring Olympic rowers and new crews.
This is a great opportunity to experience British traditions, watch world-class sportsmanship and enjoy a day out with family and friends.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2024
- Location: East Molesey, Surrey
- Date: Tuesday 2nd - Sunday 7th July 2024
- Time: 10AM - 6:30PM
Marvel at inspiring garden designs, explore gorgeous floral displays, and enjoy exclusive shopping opportunities when you head to this festival.
With talks, demonstrations, and family-friendly entertainment, it promises to be a fun summer activity for anyone with a green thumb!
Scottish Game Fair
- Location: Scone Palace
- Date: Tuesday 2nd - Sunday 7th July 2024
- Time: 9AM - 6PM
Whether you're camping in a tent or staying in a caravan, you're in for a treat! Enjoy a mix of traditional Scottish music and rock/pop anthems by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, plus falconry displays, gun dog demos, and Highland ponies at this awesome Scottish event.
Anyone who loves country sports or live music will have a fantastic time here.
Alice’s Day
- Location: Around Oxford
- Date: Saturday 6th July 2024
- Time: Various times throughout the day
Celebrate all things Alice in Wonderland with activities like Tea Time with Hatter and Hare, Jabberwock Make & Storytelling, Curious Creatures Trail, Wonderland Facepainting, and there's even a chance to learn how to play croquet!
It's a fun, family-friendly event that brings the beloved story to life right in the heart of Oxford.
Guided walk around Godalming with David Rose
- Location: Godalming Wharf
- Date: Saturday 6th July 2024
- Time: 10:30AM – 1:30 PM
Join local historian David Rose for a delightful exploration of Godalming's rich history! Starting at Godalming Wharf, this guided walk leads you along the towpath, through the charming Lammas Lands, and into the serene Phillips Memorial Park.
Discover the area's heritage, including the memorial to Titanic's Jack Phillips, and take in a peaceful stretch beside the non-navigable Wey. This 4-mile walk is packed with fascinating local stories and beautiful scenery.
The Great Yorkshire Show
- Location: Harrogate, Yorkshire
- Date: Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th July 2024
- Time: 8AM – 6PM
The Great Yorkshire Show is one of England’s top agricultural events and perfect for a family day out. This year, they're celebrating their 165th show!
Kids will love the interactive farming exhibits, petting zoos, and exciting equestrian displays. The showground is filled with food stalls, craft vendors, and live entertainment, so there's something fun for everyone.
Foodies Festival in Cheshire
- Location: Tatton Park, Knutsford
- Date: Friday 12th - Sunday 14th July 2024
- Time: 2PM–10PM (Fri), 11AM - 9PM (Sat), 11AM - 8PM (Sun)
Bands like Blue and Sister Sledge are taking the stage, and you can learn from brilliant chefs like Simon Wood and Omar Foster.
Enjoy show-stopping cakes in The Pots & Co Cake & Dessert Theatre, sample new wines, champagnes, and cocktails in The Drinks Theatre, and taste delicious street food from around the world.
There is also a Foodies Festival in Tunbridge Wells on 5th - 7th July and in Winchester on 19th - 21st July.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
- Location: Tewkesbury
- Date: Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th July 2024
- Time: 11AM - 6PM (Sat), 11AM - 5PM (Sun)
Widely regarded as the largest free medieval gathering in Europe, this popular event features a re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury, period-based arts and crafts, and an exhibition tent.
There’s plenty of food and drink, including specially brewed ale! You can immerse yourself in history and enjoy a unique cultural experience.
The Cranleigh Farm & Food Festival
- Location: The Cranleigh Showground, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh
- Date: Sunday 14th July 2024
- Time: 9AM - 6PM
Meet cute farm animals, admire working gun dogs, try country sports, and buy country crafts at this festival for foodies.
You can also enjoy a gourmet lunch of local artisan food and drink while the children explore the showground against the stunning backdrop of the Surrey Hills. This is a fantastic fun activity for kids this summer!
Festival of Hounds
- Location: East of England Showground
- Date: Wednesday 17th July 2024
- Time: 9AM - 7:30PM
The Festival of Hounds includes the 136th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show and features displays of Harriers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and more.
This event is a fantastic showcase for the hunting world, bringing together over 100 packs from across the UK.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
- Location: Tatton Park, Knutsford
- Date: Wednesday 17th - Sunday 21st July 2024
- Time: 10AM - 5PM
Visit Tatton Park for the RHS Flower Show, featuring unique gardens, expert talks, and plenty of children’s activities.
Wander through floral installations, browse the markets and stalls, and indulge in delicious food and drink. Highlights include The Flower School, The Potting Shed, and live music performances.
Weeting Steam Engine Rally & Country Show
- Location: Fengate Farm, Weeting, Norfolk
- Date: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2024
- Time: 10AM - 5PM
Step back in time here! With a vast range of steam engines, model train rides, chainsaw carving, and more, this event offers a unique glimpse into the past.
Explore the large trade area, a wide range of craft and food marquees, and enjoy outdoor activities for all ages across the 170-acre site.
The Great British Food Festival
- Location: Knebworth House, Hertfordshire
- Date: Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st July 2024
- Time: 10AM - 6PM
Enjoy chef demos, live music, foraging walks, kids' cookery sessions, a mini zoo, street food, artisan market, crafts, and so much more at this great event.
Held at the historic Knebworth House in the heart of the English countryside, it makes for a lovely day out with the family.
Hertford Castle Teddy Bears Picnic
- Location: The Castle, Hertford
- Date: Sunday 21st July 2024
- Time: 12PM - 4PM
Pack your picnic basket and bring your favourite teddy for a fun day at Hertford Castle. Enjoy a bear hunt, games, activities, a teddy bear parade judged by the Mayor, a live brass band concert, and water activities on the River Lea.
It’s a brilliant free event perfect for families with young children.
The Royal Welsh Show
- Location: Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
- Date: Monday 22nd - Thurs 25th July 2024
- Time: 8AM - 9.30PM
This iconic rural UK event has a packed 12-hour daily schedule full of exciting entertainment.
Not only can you enjoy all the countryside themed stalls and activities, there is also lots of delicious Welsh food to try!
Camp Bestival
- Location: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
- Date: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th July 2024
The UK's original family festival, Camp Bestival, features acts like McFly, Paloma Faith, and James Arthur.
Plus there's yoga and a wild spa for anyone wanting to relax, and a range of activities suited to keep the kids active at the start of the school holidays, such as silly science shows, the world's biggest bouncy castle, face painting, skateboarding, and soft play.
Cambridge Folk Festival
- Location: Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
- Date: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th July 2024
- Time: 10AM onwards.
The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest-running folk festivals, featuring traditional and contemporary acts, American country, blues, roots artists, acclaimed singer-songwriters, and world music stars.
This year’s lineup includes Talisk and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, so is well worth checking out.
Latitude Festival
- Location: Henham Park, Suffolk
- Date: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th July 2024
- Time: 5PM - 3AM (Thurs), 10AM - 3AM (Fri - Sun)
With performances by Kasabian, Keane, and Frank Turner, Latitude Festival offers a diverse mix of music, dance, comedy, poetry, theatre, literature, podcasts, family activities, and wellness experiences.
Set in the beautiful Henham Park, it’s an event that caters to all tastes and interests, making it a standout summer festival.
Truck Festival
- Location: Hill Farm, Oxfordshire
- Date: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th July 2024
- Time: 9AM - 9PM
If you love indie music and you love the countryside, you'll love Truck Festival.
Dubbed "The English Coachella" or a "Mini Glastonbury", this summer music festival features The Kooks, The Streets, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Jamie T.
The friendly atmosphere and fantastic lineup make it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy great music in a beautiful setting. You can choose to camp overnight or come and go each day.
Kynren - An Epic Tale of England
- Location: Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Date: Various dates from Saturday 27th July - Saturday 14th September
- Time: Various
This outdoor theatre spectacular spans two thousand years of English history, from Boudicca’s battles with the Romans to the World Wars. Experience this dazzling show, complete with stunning visuals, an original soundtrack by Nathan Stornetta, and narration by Kevin Whately.
Kynren is a family-friendly event that promises to captivate audiences with its epic storytelling and cinematic scale.
Portsmouth International Kite Festival
- Location: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
- Date: Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th July 2024
- Time: 10AM - 5:30PM
This is one of the biggest kite festivals in the world, featuring stunning kite displays and kite-making workshops. This year's theme is "Year of the Dragon," with dragon kites showcased by expert fliers.
Enjoy craft stalls, refreshments, and local amusements. It’s a colourful, family-friendly event by the sea, and the best part is that it's free entry!
The National Trust's Big Camp
Location: Dapdune Wharf, Guildford
Date: Saturday 27th July 2024
Time: 4:30PM - 11:55PM
Enjoy a night under the stars in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes, with fun storytelling sessions, marshmallow toasting, and guided nature walks. You bring your own tent and food, the National Trust will provide the entertainment and an amazing atmosphere!
There are also other Big Camps around the country, so it's worth checking out to see if there's one near your area too.
Country Shows in July 2024
You know we wouldn't leave you without your full list of country shows for July!
| Show | Location | Date |
| Kent County Show | Kent Showground, Detling | 5th - 7th July 2024 |
| Doune & Dunblane Show | Keir Mains, Dunblane | 6th July 2024 |
| Fettercairn Show | East Bridge End Park, Fettercairn | 6th July 2024 |
| Goosnargh & Longridge Show | The Showfield, Longridge | 6th July 2024 |
| Hanbury Countryside Show | Park Hall Farm, Hanbury | 6th July 2024 |
| Lampeter Show | Pontfaen Fields, Lampeter | 6th July 2024 |
| Machen Show | Mill Farm, Machen | 6th July 2024 |
| Skelton Show | Old Park, Hutton-in-the Forest | 6th July 2024 |
| Cotswold Show | Cirencester Park, Cirencester | 7th July 2024 |
| Great Yorkshire Show | Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate | 9th - 12th July 2024 |
| Castlewellan Agricultural Show | Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan | 13th July 2024 |
| Royal Isle of Wight County Show | Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society Show Ground, Northwood | 13th - 14th July 2024 |
| The Bridgend Country Show | Ty Wrth Y Coed, Merthyr Mawr | 13th - 14th July 2024 |
| Ashby Show | Cattows Farm, Heather | 14th July 2024 |
| Caithness Show | Thurso East, Thurso | 19th - 20th July 2024 |
| Royal Lancashire Show | Salesbury Hall, Ribchester | 19th - 21st July 2024 |
| Kirkcudbright Country Fair | The Carse, Kirkcudbright | 20th July 2024 |
| Coniston Country Fair | Haws Bank, Coniston | 21st July 2024 |
| Royal Welsh Show | Llanelwedd, Builth Wells | 22nd - 25th July 2024 |
| Woolsery & District Agricultural Show | Clovelly Court, Clovelly | 29th July 2024 |
| New Forest & Hampshire County Show | The Showground, Brockenhurst | 30th - 1st August 2024 |
And if you're wondering why The Game Fair at Blenheim Palace isn't on this list, it's because we've done a full guide on it over on our blog already! You can check it out here.
Summary
July is jam-packed with exciting events in the British countryside. From camping under the stars to flying kites by the sea, there's truly something for everyone.
Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities to make memories and experience the beauty of rural UK, and we'll see you next month for more fun-filled activities.
Let us know in the comments if you're going to any of these events this July or if we missed any that deserve a shoutout. We always love hearing from you.
About the Author
Mark Holland has a keen eye for all things men's country clothing. Living amidst the fields and farms, he understands the practical aspects of rural living and the timeless style that accompanies it. His advice reflects a genuine appreciation for the comfort and connection that come with country wear. If you're looking for down-to-earth recommendations, then trust Mark to guide you through kitting out your wardrobe with firm favourites and classic designs.
