| Where: | Bonsall, Derbyshire at the Barley Mow pub on The Dale |
| When: | 1st Saturday in August |
| Time: | 12 noon pub opens, racing from 1.30 or so |
The Barley Mow pub carpark is the setting for Bonsall’s annual competition; hens must race over a thirty-foot course in heats which culminate in a grand final. Fastest to date is a time of just three seconds but can frequently take much longer – competing hens can frequently be seen heading back towards the start! Competitors take their racing hens to the start and may be aided and abetted by helpers at the opposite end of the course giving encouragement and perhaps shaking containers of meal worms or corn. Prizes are bags of grain, a trophy for the winning team and of course huge kudos. Expect lots of bemused chickens and clucking.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Saturday 2nd August (to be confirmed)-follow Facebook link below for details. Note that in 2023 competitors had to hire the hens at the venue- you couldn’t bring your own fowl!
If you wish to compete but have no fowl of your own, you may be able to hire one on request (the 2017 fee was a £5 donation to charity). Food & drink are available at the event – the 2017 burgers were incredibly tasty and I have it on good authority that the beer was also very good.
The roads in Bonsall are fairly narrow and the pub carpark is full of hen racing so arrive in plenty of time – there is a carpark at the other end of the village near the playing field, just a few minutes’ walk away.
Best view of the course is probably near the finish line at the sides (if you’re behind the helpers waving corn you also get a good view depending on if you can see between them!).
Click here for the pub Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Barley-Mow-at-Bonsall-722057004600394/
Click here for the event website : http://www.barleymowbonsall.co.uk
and more at : http://www.world-championship-hen-racing.com
So looking forward to seeing this, have wanted to since I first heard of it a few years ago but the date always clashed.
Recently diagnosed with advanced cancer, this is a must do for me this year!
Please advise me on the best time to arrive, I realise it will be early, but I need to have a seat.
Hi Sue!
Thanks for getting in touch. This is one of the many events still on my to-do list so I haven’t any first-hand knowledge to share with you and here at calendarcustoms we’re not connected to the organisation of the races. I know that the pub normally opens at noon so that would seem like a good time to aim for – but if you visit the Barley Mow’s own website there’s a contact form to send emails to or a phone number to ring and I think it would be a good idea to get in touch direct to double check their opening time just in case they have special arrangements for the race day, and to ask for seating to be available for you on the day. Follow this link : http://www.barleymowbonsall.co.uk/?tabid=1267 for the website. I’m sure that’ll ensure you get VIP treatment – hope you have a great time!
Best wishes,
Averil
I hadn’t thought this would be so popular but the village was packed with people,dogs and hens. I would advise anyone to get there early as parking is difficult. the village has narrow, twisty, steep roads.and I missed the first race as i battled up the road past the pub looking for parking.
It is well worth the effort, very entertaining and very different. There is a bit of seating to one side of the track .the whole track is about 40 foot by 8 with a distinct finishing line and at times seeing the hens can be difficult. Again I would suggest you get there early and bag your spot.
Between races there is time to browse the chickens for form, a bar and of course the pub is open and a barbeque and stalls selling t shirts and badges and chicken coops.
All in there were 10 races I understand this might vary from year to year depending on the number of entrants. I was surprised at how “laid back” the hens were considering the crowd and noise but they seemed to take things in their stride and pecked at the stone chippings whilst the owners/trainers called or tempted with tins of sweetcorn.Now that never happens at Doncaster ST.Leger.
Very suitable for all ages
I like the look of this event – another one on the “to-do” list! We were in London for the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager tercentenary race or we might have been there with you. I’d love to get a teleportation device as it would make getting around to events on the same day much easier!