Dales Traditional Butchers Crowned ‘Best Butcher’ in North of England

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce some fantastic news that has the whole team beaming with pride – Dales Traditional Butchers has been crowned ‘Best Butcher’ in the North of England in the prestigious Countryside Alliance Awards (often called the “Rural Oscars”)!

A Victory for Our Community

This incredible achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our wonderful customers, staff, and the entire Kirkby Lonsdale community. After the challenging months following December’s fire, which saw Market Street closed for an extended period, this recognition feels particularly special.

As Mark puts it: “I dedicate this award to the staff, customers and community of Kirkby Lonsdale, who have shown true resilience following the incident. With Market Street being closed for so long, it has had an impact, so I’d invite anyone reading this to come and visit our wonderful town.”

What Happens Next?

The excitement doesn’t end here! As regional champions, we’re now heading to the grand final, competing against fellow winners from across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other English regions for the overall national title.
The national winners will be announced at a special Champions Reception at the House of Lords on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated.

 

What Are the Countryside Alliance Awards?

For those who aren’t familiar, the Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate rural businesses that go above and beyond for their communities. They recognise the businesses, people and produce that make Britain’s countryside the jewel in our national crown.

These awards are a true testament to the quality, passion, and dedication of rural businesses across the UK, and we’re honoured to be recognised among such distinguished company.

A Tradition of Excellence

This award joins our growing collection of accolades, including:

• Britain’s Best Butcher’s Shop (2021)
• Champion of Champions for our Pork and Caramel Sausage (2023)
• The Golden Haggis Award (2024 & 2025) – making us the first English butcher to win this prestigious Scottish award two years running!
• Multiple awards for our handmade pies at both the British Pie Awards and the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards

Thank You!

We want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for us. Your support means the world to us, especially during these challenging times for Kirkby Lonsdale.

This award is as much yours as it is ours – it’s a recognition of the special relationship we have with our community and our commitment to providing the finest quality, locally farmed meats with exceptional service.

Visit Kirkby Lonsdale!

Following the challenges our town has faced since the December fire, this award is a wonderful boost for the whole community. If you haven’t visited Kirkby Lonsdale recently, we’d love to welcome you back! Our historic market town is home to an array of wonderful retailers, hospitality and tourism businesses, as well as a weekly Charter Market.

And if you’re not already a member of our Butcher’s Club, pop in or sign up online for exclusive offers and our monthly prize draws.

We hope to see you in the shop soon, and once again, thank you for your continued support.