Egremont Crab Fair & World Gurning Championships
| When | |
|---|---|
| Usually | the third Saturday in September, at Egremont (western Lakes) |
| Where | Egremont, Cumbria |
| Indoor / outdoor | Outdoor |
| Family-friendly | Yes |
| Entry | Free to watch |
Egremont Crab Fair, established in 1267, is one of the oldest fairs in the world — a full day of gloriously daft tradition in the western Lakes. The morning parade of the apple cart showers the Main Street with apples (catch one for luck), the sports field hosts traditional sports and entertainers through the day, and in the evening the World Gurning Championships crown the finest face-pullers on the planet — men's, ladies' and junior classes, entries taken on the night at the Falcon Club.
Good to know: it's usually the third Saturday in September, but the organisers hadn't published a confirmed 2026 date at the time of writing — check the official site (opens in new tab) before you travel. The daytime events are outdoor and free to wander, the evening gurning is indoors, and the whole thing is thoroughly family-friendly.
Getting there & nearby: Egremont sits on the A595 about four miles south of Whitehaven; for the sports field use CA22 2NG, with a free car park at the top gate. It's prime quiet-western-fells country — Dent rises directly behind the town, or head a little further in for Crag Fell above Ennerdale Water.
Dates and details can change — always confirm on the official site (opens in new tab) before you travel.