World Hen Racing Championship

What to expect

Hens race along a 30-foot track in the car park of the Barley Mow, a village pub tucked into the hills above Matlock. Birds are released at the start line and encouraged towards the finish by their 'coaches', who may cluck, call or wave. Heats lead to a grand final, though plenty of hens wander off, stop for a peck, or turn back. The day has a village fete feel, with a barbecue, a beer festival and live music. Hundreds of spectators turn up, and TV crews sometimes join them.

The story behind it

The modern championship was devised in 1991 by Alan Webster, then landlord of the Barley Mow, inspired by stories of villages racing hens against each other in the early 20th century. It has since become one of Derbyshire's most cheerful summer traditions, compered for many years by the pub's landlady. The rules are simple, but the hens rarely follow them, which has produced plenty of upsets, disputes and memorable photo finishes over the years.

Getting there and home

Bonsall is a small village with narrow lanes and very limited parking, so travelling light is wise. Cromford station, about two miles away on the Derwent Valley line from Derby, is the nearest, with Matlock a little further; the route up to the village is steep, so allow time or take a taxi. Matlock and Matlock Bath have the best choice of accommodation.

Watching, taking part and tips

Watching is free, and the organisers describe the day as family friendly. You can race a hen yourself; in some recent years entrants have hired hens at the venue rather than bringing their own, so check the rules before turning up with a bird. Racing has usually started in the early afternoon. Bring sun cream or a waterproof, as it is an outdoor event, and give the hens space: they are the stars of the show.

Taking part

The local tourism listing billed the 2026 event as a champion-of-champions edition and mentioned racers for hire — so this isn't a case of bringing whichever hen is in the garden. Fancy entering? Ask the Barley Mow about the next edition's entry conditions, registration and hired birds before bringing one of your own. The same goes for families: find out what children need to do and whether places can be reserved, so nobody is promised a turn on the strength of an old poster. That listing also pairs a dated heading with a 'Date TBC' line, so wait for a fresh announcement before you commit. Happy just to watch? All the comedy, none of the responsibility. Give the birds and their handlers plenty of room, and leave it to the organiser to decide who races. The tiny track supplies quite enough unpredictability on its own.

Make a day of it nearby

The Heights of Abraham and Cromford Mills add two very different flavours to a Derbyshire stay. At the Heights, the cable car is your way into a hillside estate with show caverns and exhibitions. Cromford Mills tells the story of the area's industrial past through its visitor centre and a choice of tours. Pick by your party: landscape and an unusual ride up the hill at one, mills and working life at the other. Ticket types and opening times vary, so look at what your visit actually includes rather than expecting one admission to cover everything. Neither is part of the hen races. If watching the whole competition matters to you, give the attraction its own morning or day — especially if a cable-car ride or guided tour is the main event. An outing is more fun when you're not racing the clock back to Bonsall.

Accessibility and families

The Heights of Abraham publishes a detailed accessibility map showing path gradients and the areas you can use, worth a look before you buy. Expect steep slopes, including the approach to the ticket office and the cable-car base, and note that mobility scooters aren't suitable for the terrain. There are size limits for wheelchairs and pushchairs in the cabins, and staff offer help with boarding. Ring ahead with the details of your chair or buggy — a cable car doesn't mean the whole estate is step-free. If going underground matters to you, read the cavern information separately. All this helps you choose between outings for a family weekend. It tells you nothing about the pub's racing area, though: viewing space, toilets and the route from a drop-off point are questions for the Barley Mow. Give each place the specifics it needs.

Cromford Mills

Cromford Mills gives you more than one way into its story. Its official page separates a free visitor-centre exhibition from guided tours and an Arkwright experience, each with its own ticket options. Read the descriptions before you pay, so you know whether you're booking a short introduction, a guided walk round the mill yard or a bigger package. There's also an audio route into Cromford village, which takes you beyond the main visitor site and needs more time. Choose one experience that fits your day, and check the schedule and access before you sort out onward transport. If the hen races are your fixed point, don't book a tour that finishes just as you're meant to be arriving in Bonsall. The industrial history deserves your full attention, and choosing clearly saves you paying for a long visit when your party only wanted a quick stop and a wander.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Visit Peak District: Bonsall hen races ↗
• Derbyshire Times: 2025 races in pictures ↗
• Calendar Customs: Bonsall hen race ↗
• Visit Peak District:2026format and venue ↗
• Heights of Abraham: visitor attractions ↗
• Heights of Abraham: access and cabin limits ↗
• Cromford Mills: exhibition and tour options ↗