'Dog Day' to open new summer season at historic Carnforth hall

A paw-some event for dog lovers will help launch the summer season at a historic venue near Carnforth.

This is a lively celebration of everything pooch-related, taking place on Bank Holiday Monday May 5 at Leighton Hall.

There will be have-a-go activities, a fun dog show, stalls, treats, gundog scurry, meet and greets, and expert advice.

With proceeds going to support Animal Rescue, Cumbria, presentations include dog agility with Lune Valley Dog Training Club, Allstar Hoopers demonstrating the fast-growing fun sport of Canine Hooping, and unmissable dog training demonstrations and advice by Rachel Wright of show sponsors ‘Wright Paw Forward’.

Leighton Hall (below, photo credit: Wood and Co photography) will open to the public for the summer on May 1. 

“We’re open year-round for school and group visits, events and weddings, but getting ready to open the doors to the general public, and seeing the birds of prey in beautiful shape for their daily displays, always feels really special," said Lucy Arthurs, estate manager at Leighton Hall.

“We’ve got plenty of events throughout the summer: auctioneers’ valuation days, Shakespeare in the garden, classic cars, roaring motorcycles, our very special Apple Day for example, but for sheer inclusive exuberance, with no tickets priced above £3, I think Dog Day is going to set the ‘bark’ pretty high!”

Leighton Hall is the historical seat of the Gillow family, and the family still live at the hall today.

It is open to the public, weekday afternoons Tuesday to Thursday 1.30pm to 5.30pm, from May to September 2025, plus Sundays in August and Bank Holiday Mondays. School and pre-booked groups and events welcome all year round.

Birds of prey fly every afternoon (summer season, weather permitting).

Admission (hall and gardens) is adults: £13, concessions: £12, children aged five to 12 12: £8.

Reduced price for darden admission, plus 50 per cent off standard entry (not special events) with Local Resident’s Card, or free entry via Historic Houses membership.

For more information see www.leightonhall.co.uk