Annual Agricultural and Country Shows in the UK

You can't beat a good old-fashioned county show. They are a wonderful celebration of rural life, bringing together a mix of agricultural displays, competitions, and community spirit. They showcase the best of local farming, food, crafts, and traditions, offering a glimpse into the heart of countryside living.

What do I wear to a county show?

When heading to a country show in the UK, Ariat offers the perfect range of clothing to keep you both stylish and comfortable. As with any British outdoor event, what you wear will largely depend on the weather, so practicality is key. Flat shoes or wellies are a must alongside your stylish choices. Explore our extensive collection of country wear and waterproof boots all available to shop online.

The Best Agricultural Shows and County Fairs in the UK

The Royal Bath and West Show

When: May

Where: Shepton Mallet, Somerset

The Royal Bath and West Show is a historic and prestigious agricultural event held annually in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Celebrating rural life, it features livestock competitions, equestrian events, food and drink showcases, traditional crafts, and family-friendly entertainment. 

As one of the oldest agricultural shows in the UK, it serves as a vital platform for farmers, producers, and rural businesses to network, compete, and display their work, while also offering the public a rich experience of British countryside traditions.

Royal Highland Show

When: June

Where: Ingliston in Edinburgh

The Royal Highland Show, held annually at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, is a vibrant four-day event that celebrates Scotland’s agricultural heritage and rural traditions.

The parading of Belted Galloways, Highlands, and Belgian Blues is a true highlight of the Royal Highland Show. These majestic breeds captivate visitors with their distinctive appearances and impressive presence. Marvel at these beautiful cattle breeds before making the most of the rest of the show.

With its blend of tradition and innovation, the Royal Highland Show is a true celebration of Scotland's agricultural heritage and community spirit, which is why we think it’s one of the top country shows in the UK.

The Royal Cornwall Show

When: June 

Where: Whitecross, Wadebridge

The Royal Cornwall Show, Cornwall’s largest agricultural show, is a vibrant three-day event showcasing a diverse array of attractions and activities.

Attendees can enjoy livestock competitions, equestrian events, agricultural displays, and a wide range of food and craft stalls. From impressive cattle and sheep displays to exciting show jumping and traditional Cornish food, the Royal Cornwall Show offers an engaging experience for all, blending local culture with agricultural excellence.

The Three Counties Show

When: June

Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern

The Three Counties Show, held annually at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, is a premier agricultural event that celebrates the best of rural life across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire.

The Royal Three Counties Show is renowned as the largest livestock and equine show in England, featuring one of the country’s biggest exhibitions of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, including rare and native breeds. In addition to its impressive livestock displays, the show also features a range of attractions including appearances by celebrity and special guests, a wide selection of crafts and shopping opportunities, and a vibrant array of local produce.

GWCT Scottish Game Fair

When: July

Where: Scone Palace, Perth

The Scottish Game Fair is a fantastic three day event enjoyed by everyone who is passionate about the countryside.

The event features a diverse range of activities, including gundog displays, terrier racing, equestrian skills, Highland ponies and falconry. Attendees can also explore a wide variety of exhibitors offering country clothing, artisanal products, and local delicacies.

With its strong emphasis on conservation and sustainable land management, the GWCT Scottish Game Fair is a must-attend UK country show for those who cherish Scotland’s natural beauty and rural lifestyle.

The Great Yorkshire Show

When: July

Where: Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

The Great Yorkshire Show is an iconic four-day event and one of the biggest agricultural events in the English calendar. Every year, 140,000 visitors and over 8,500 animals converge on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate to compete, socialise and celebrate.

The Show is a celebration of food, countryside and agriculture with something for everyone. Thousands of animals compete from cattle, sheep, pigs and pigeons. See cutting-edge farming equipment and machinery with displays from major brands and while the show has farming at its heart, there’s also entertainment, shopping, live music and a fashion show.

The Royal Welsh Show

When: July

Where: Llanelwedd, Builth Wells

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) is the organisation behind the esteemed Royal Welsh Show, one of the UK's premier agricultural events.

The Royal Welsh Show offers something for everyone with its extensive range of livestock classes, drawing over 7,500 entries from across Wales, the UK, and Europe. In addition to showcasing top-quality cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses, the show features a diverse array of activities, including forestry, horticulture, and countryside sports. Visitors can explore a vibrant selection of crafts, local food and drink, and a wide variety of trade stands.

The Royal Lancashire Show

When: July

Where: Ribchester, Lancashire

The Royal Lancashire Show offers a diverse range of attractions, celebrating the best of Lancashire's agricultural heritage and rural life.

At the Royal Lancashire Show, one of the unique and fascinating attractions is the display of giant tortoises, offering visitors a glimpse into the world of these impressive reptiles. In addition to the giant tortoises, the show features an array of activities, including show jumping, impressive livestock displays, and live music performances. Attendees can also enjoy a diverse shopping experience with numerous stalls offering a variety of goods.

The Game Fair

When: July

Where: Ragley Hall, Alcester

The Game Fair is an annual gathering for people passionate about countryside pursuits and the great British countryside.

The fair offers a unique blend of entertainment, shopping, and hands-on experiences. Attendees can explore a wide range of activities, from clay pigeon shooting and falconry displays to fishing demonstrations and archery. The event also features an extensive array of exhibitors, offering everything from country clothing and accessories to fine food and artisan crafts.

With its rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere, The Game Fair is a must-visit for anyone passionate about the countryside.

Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show

When: August

Where: Penllyn

Established in 1772, the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Society is one of the oldest agricultural societies on record.

Now the largest one-day event in the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show features an array of attractions. The day includes impressive livestock and horse shows, showcasing top-quality animals from various breeds. Attendees can explore over 200 trade stands on the main field, offering a diverse range of goods and products. The Food Court highlights local produce, much of which is grown or made in the Vale, while the shopping mall and large Craft Fair present additional opportunities to find unique items and handcrafted goods.

The Moreton in Marsh Show

When: September 

Where: Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire

Described as a highlight of the Cotswold calendar, The Moreton show is always held in early September, usually the first Saturday of the month.

Moreton Show strives to entertain and inform even the most experienced of farmers with expert commentary throughout the day. Highlights of the event include impressive livestock competitions, thrilling equestrian events, a variety of agricultural exhibits and competitions held throughout the day. The Home and Garden marquee is a particular highlight, brimming with vibrant flowers, intricate handicrafts, and delightful home baking exhibits, making it a must-see for visitors interested in horticulture and domestic creativity.

Westmorland County Show

When: September

Where: Westmorland Show Ground, Crooklands, Cumbria

Located on the fringes of the Lake District, Westmorland County Show is enjoyed by over 37,000 visitors every year.

At the Westmorland County Show, you’ll have the chance to discover the best of farming and the countryside all while seeing some of the country's top-quality livestock. With hundreds of trade stands to browse, you can shop till you drop, discovering unique products and local treasures. Whether you're a seasoned country enthusiast or a curious newcomer, you’ll be truly spoiled for choice at this fantastic event.

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

When: November

Where: Llanelwedd, Builth Wells

The Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground is one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe. 

Along with the usual schedule of competitions, exhibitions and displays, the Winter Fair also offers festivities and is the perfect opportunity to pick up some unique and original Christmas gifts. The Food Hall will also be packed full of the very best Welsh producers showcasing their produce and tempting visitors to try the wide variety of culinary delights on offer.

Whether you're there for the competitions, shopping, or the incredible food, the Winter Fair is an event that captures the heart of the festive season while celebrating the best of rural life.

These are just some of the very best agricultural shows in the UK, but there is an abundance of country and county shows to discover across the UK, possibly right around the corner from you. Ariat has more countryside-inspired days out for you to explore, from annual equestrian events to country and western adventures.