Sheep shearing, vegetable sculptures and, er, a Wall of Death. It's a lineup so eclectic, it can only mean one thing — Lambeth Country Show is back.
The annual two-dayer pitches up in its usual Brockwell Park location on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 2024. As ever, it's free to get in. This one's a rather special Lambeth Country Show — it's the 50th anniversary. In the region of 120,000 people are expected to show up.
While traditionally, the Lambeth Country Show has taken place in August, these days it's in early June. Tight council budgets mean it's cheaper to share infrastructure with the clutch of music festivals happening at that time (which not all locals are happy about).
For those unfamiliar with how it plays out, Lambeth Country Show is basically south London sticking a cornstalk in its mouth, putting on a West Country brogue and channelling some seriously rural vibes. There is livestock. There are beekeepers. There's sheep shearing. There's an out-of-this-world vegetable sculpture contest.
But you can't take the south London out of, well, south London — and every Lambeth Country Show is packed with goodies that you won't find at your average pastoral get-together. Included on the teeming 2024 line-up are:
- Family fun, inc. immersive gaming zones, music workshops and the Jelly Rollers' mechanical dragon
- An Eco Village with stalls from various organisations and charities inc. RSPB, Greenpeace and London Beekeepers' Association
- A farm with sheep shearing, birds of prey and Diggerland
- Jousting and other equestrian stunts from Les Amis d'Onno Equine
- Live music galore on various stages including gospel choirs, brass bands, orchestras, soul outfits, roots and lots more
- The Original Wall of Death, in which fearless bikers race around a drum, mere inches away from onlookers
- Bars and food stalls aplenty
That really is just the tip of the iceberg. You could keep yourself entertained for two full afternoons/evenings, and not spend a penny (you can bring in your own food and non-alcoholic drinks).
Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, 8-9 June 2024, 1pm-9pm free entry
