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Wasdale Head Show and Shepherd's Meet is held each year in October at Wasdale Head. It began more than 100 years ago. Its origin is thought to have been a ‘Shepherd’s Meet’ where farmers and shepherds from nearby valleys such as Ennerdale, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Eskdale and possibly Langdale, walked their rams, or tups, over to Wasdale Head to trade them, swap them or hire them. It also enabled shepherds to return straying sheep. These early meets evolved into the showing of sheep and shepherd’s dogs. Hound trailing was also an activity introduced in the early years.

During the Second World War the shows ceased but returned in 1947. By this time most farmers had vehicles to transport their sheep so the practice of walking sheep to the show soon all but died out. Around this time, Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling and the Fell Racing were introduced. Today the show also includes a parade of vintage cars and farm machinery.


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