It has been announced that the 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Championship will be held at the brand new BBC Countryfile Live, 4th - 7th August at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Visitors to Countryfile Live will be introduced to the major league of lumberjack sports worldwide as highly-skilled lumberjack athletes chop, saw and slice at speed in the country’s fourth annual Championship event.



The Countryfile Live show will give visitors the chance to explore every aspect of the British countryside featuring over 500 exhibitors, live arena shows, animal displays, the latest farming machinery, outdoor activities for kids, hundreds of food and craft stalls to shop and the best of British food and drink. The event will be hosted by BBC Countryfile presenters including Matt Baker, John Craven, Adam Henson, Anita Rani, Ellie Harrison and Tom Heap.

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS started 30 years ago in the USA and arrived in Britain in 2012 with the country’s first British Championship.

Spike Milton, former STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Champion and British Team member, says the athletes will be sure to put on a rip-roaring show for visitors.

“Both technical and physically demanding, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS is a marvellous sport to watch. The lumberjack athletes are remarkably quick and precise as the chop and slice their way through the competition.

“The six STIHL TIMBERSPORTS disciplines test the athlete’s ability to deliver both explosive power and accuracy while retaining total focus to ultimately win the British title and make the British team. The British team will then compete in Germany at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS 2016 World Championship in November. With stiff competition this year - competitors will need to be well-oiled machines to make the cut,” says Spike, who is now STIHL Global Sporting Director and British and International TIMBERSPORTS Trainer.

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS comprises six disciplines: the Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Stock Saw, Single Buck, Springboard and the always-appealing Hot Saw. Each gruelling event tests athletes' handling of an axe or chainsaw and their skill with wood.

From Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th August 2016 visitors to BBC Countryfile Live can enjoy the 2016 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS British Championship, the British Rookie Championship and live demonstrations from the current British team. Also over the four days there will be wood carving demonstrations, a rugby tackle game for the kids, STIHL and VIKING product displays and talks from STIHL experts such as Jane Moore - a former Chelsea Flower Show medal-winner.

See below a taster of STIHL TIMBERSPORTS from the 2015 British Championship 

Tickets are available now

• Adult £26.40
• Child ages 5-16 years £13.20
• Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children 16 & under) £72.60
• Senior 65+ £24.20
• VIP Ticket £82.50