Newcomers to Trail Hunting Week will take place from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 24 October 2026, with hunts across the country welcoming anyone interested in discovering more about trail hunting and following hounds.

This year’s initiative will be run jointly by the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) and the Countryside Alliance under the Future for Hunting banner, bringing the hunting community together for a nationwide week of activity and building on the Countryside Alliance’s traditional Newcomers’ Week,

National Trail Hunting Day on Saturday 17 October will launch Newcomers to Trail Hunting Week, with four flagship events being held across the country. These four events – along with all of those taking place throughout newcomers’ week - will give people the opportunity to see trail hunting for themselves, meet hounds and those who care for them, and learn more about how hunting operates today.

Hunts across the country will be hosting newcomers’ meets, open kennel days and other events, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to join them on horseback, on foot or simply to come along and find out more.

With the week coinciding with school half-term in many areas, hunts are encouraged to make their events as accessible as possible to children, young people and families.

This year’s event also takes place against the backdrop of the continuing threat of legislation to ban trail hunting, making the opportunity to demonstrate lawful, responsible and well-regulated hunting particularly important.

Oliver Hughes, Managing Director of the BHSA, said:

“National Trail Hunting Day on 17 October will provide a strong start to a nationwide week of activity and we are encouraging hunts to build on that by creating welcoming and accessible opportunities throughout the week.

“Hunts should be proud to demonstrate the standards of conduct, regulation and hound welfare expected of them, while showing that following hounds remains an activity which can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Newcomers to Trail Hunting Week gives hunts an important opportunity to demonstrate openly and confidently how trail hunting operates today, allowing people to meet those involved, see the hounds and gain a genuine understanding of lawful hunting for themselves."

Polly Portwin, Director of Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said:

“For many years, Newcomers’ Week has been about opening our doors, breaking down barriers and giving people the opportunity to experience hunting for themselves. This year, working together under the Future for Hunting banner, we want to build on that by encouraging even more people to discover what trail hunting is really about.

“At a time when its future remains under threat, there could not be a more important opportunity to demonstrate the reality of lawful hunting, the exceptionally high standards of hound welfare at its heart and the contribution hunts make to rural communities.

“You don’t need to ride or know anything about hunting before you come. Whether you are curious about trail hunting, interested in hounds, passionate about rural life or simply looking for a different way to enjoy the countryside, you will be very welcome.”

Foot packs, including beagles and basset hounds, will also be taking part, ensuring there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy following hounds without being on horseback.

For anyone wanting to learn more before attending an event, the Countryside Alliance’s A Newcomer’s Guide to Hunting explains what to expect, what to wear and how to get involved.

To find your local hunt or learn more about events taking place on National Trail Hunting Day or during Newcomers to Trail Hunting Week, 17–24 October, please contact the Countryside Alliance or BHSA or follow our social media channels for regular updates.