Somerset is a county with a rich rural heritage and here, farming has always been a way of life. Today, Somerset has around 8500 farmers and food producers – the highest of any UK county. The Somerset calendar is jam-packed with agricultural shows, county fairs and country shows which draw in thousands of visitors every year to celebrate the best of Somerset’s farming heritage and rural life.
Country shows are a tradition going back generations for British farmers and country folk. Agricultural Shows and Country Fairs showcase the best local food and drink, livestock, traditional skills, craft and farm machinery. It also gives people, who wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance, to experience rural traditions, farm animals and a window into country life. You can enjoy sipping cider, tasting artisan food, and browsing stalls selling everything from jam to tweed. Discover some of Somerset’s best agricultural shows and country fairs near you this year.
Where: Bathing Pond Fields, Bristol Road, Wraxall, BS48 1NE
When: Monday 6th May 2024
Price: Advance Adults £19; Children (6-15) £7; Family of 4 £45; Children 5 and Under FREE
Parking is free
Come and experience the very best of livestock and horses showcased with rural events, crafts and food. Events throughout the day include livestock shows, horse showing and show jumping, dog agility, dog scurry and terrier racing, sheep sheering, alpacas and blacksmiths. Other favourites include the tractor pulling, tug of war, strongest man and motor bike stunt displays in the main ring. There are family fair rides and vintage motor vehicles.
Dogs are welcome on a fixed lead.
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Where: Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN
When: Thursday 30th May – Saturday 1st June 2024
- 9 am – 6 pm
Price: Adults £25/Day; Children (5-15) £2/Day; Family of 4/5 £50/Day; Senior Citizens £23/Day Children Under 5 FREE
Camping is available for the show £30/night (grass, non-electic pitch)
Parking is free.
Enjoy the three day action packed event in Shepton Mallet this year, where the whole family can experience a whole host of of activities, demonstrations and entertainment; including interactive activities, fast pace excitement in the main ring and a much-enhanced food hall experience. Events include motorbike stunt displays, livestock parades, pony club games, heavy horses, dog agility, show jumping, vintage vehicle parades, live music and family fun in the sports village.
There is a Family Trail which you can collect at the entrance gates of the
Show. Complete the trail, and have a chance to win an exciting prize!
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Where: Yeovil Showground, Two Towers Lane, Yeovil, BA22 9TA
When: Friday 3rd May – Monday 6th May 2024
- Gates open 8.00 am
Price: Weekend including Camping (2A 3C) £84.00
Parking is free.
Enjoy an exciting, family weekend out with a range of vintage and classic vehicles. Go back in time as you admire the beautifully restored steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars. There’s commercial vehicles, stationary engines, military vehicles, models, and much more! There are over 100 trade stands selling a variety of goods from household and plants to toys and crafts. There are also many stalls selling tools and autojumble.
You’ll enjoy a full entertainment program during the day including ring events, live bands and singers in the refreshment marquee. The fun carries on in the marquee into the evening and the fairground stays open until late.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Where: Thorney Lakes, Muchelney, Somerset, TA10 0DW
When: Sunday 9th June 2024
- From 11.00 am (Car park opens at 10 am)
Camping: Thorney Lakes Campsite is adjacent to the Green Scythe Fair:
Experience this magical one day environmental fair in a beautiful setting on the South Somerset Levels run entirely by volunteers using wind, sun and muscle power. Scything competition, workshops, stalls, food, entertainment and more!
The central arena of the Green Scythe Fair is where scythers from all over the country gather to celebrate the resurgence of this wonderful tool and it’s associated skills. This is the biggest and best scythe event in the country, and seems to get better and better every year!
The children will love the Green Kidz Area (11 am – 6.00 pm), with funfair games, a flea circus and circus skills workshop. This year the Community tent will be focusing on community creativity and the arts from green, grass-roots principals. This will be showcasing a range of interactive projects, pop-up art exhibition, and creations to engage with.
Musical entertainment will be on the acoustic stage from midday, and in the music marquee throughout the day and evening.
On the Saturday (8th June) there are rural craft courses and workshops you can book (advance booking is essential).
Where: Netherham Farm, Low Ham, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9DR
When: Saturday 20th July – Sunday 21st July 2024
Camping: A public camping and caravan field is adjacent to the main show site.
Located in the beautiful Somerset countryside, the Somerset Steam and Country Show is a great family day out with lots of entertainment.
From 10 am in the main ring, there’ll be all types of vintage and classic vehicles on parade, starting with a fantastic display of over 200 vintage and classic tractors followed by some of the oldest and most impressive steam traction engines in preservation! There will also be vintage and classic cars, motorcycles, commercial and military vehicles. There’s an auction of vintage machinery and collectables, a motor bike stunt show, animal attractions, free trailer rides around the show and craft and model tents.
The Tractor Pullers will be demonstrating their power and don’t miss. demonstrations of the Power of Steam in the Working areas.
The kids have their own entertainment area which includes a funfair.
The event showcases, and helps to preserve the memories and use of, vintage steam, agricultural and other nostalgic vehicles that are no longer in use.
Where: Dunster Castle Lawns, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SL
When: Wednesday 24th July 2024
Price: (On the gate) Adults £15; Children (Under 14) £5; Family of 4 £35. Advance tickets are available online at a small discount.
The Dunster Country Fair is a great family day out with plenty of entertainment throughout the day. Admire the vintage tractors, be amazed by the stunt show and marvel at the falconry display. Also in the main arena there’s Pony Club games and a Shetland Pony Grand National.
The Village Green also has lots of demonstrations and interactive displays; there’s a large number of trade stands, the wonderful craft tents plus plenty of food and liquid refreshment on offer.
Kids will enjoy entertainment from Punch and Judy, a funfair, archery and the family dog show.
Where: The Show Field, Portishead, North Somerset, BS20 7RA
When: Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July 2024
Price: (Early Bird) Adult tickets one day £8.00; Adult weekend £12. (On the Gate) Adult Tickets are £10.00 for one day, £15 Weekend and children under 17 are Free.
Parking: Free on Gordano Sports Field
The Portishead Summer Show is a combination of a traditional flower and produce show and a country fair. It is a real community event which has been going since 1863 and showcases local talent, organisations and businesses.
Children will love the fantastic entertainment programme which includes a community circus running workshops throughout the day, a mini pony show, giant tortoises and gun dogs. There will also be a Punch and Judy show, children’s fun sports and a children’s fancy dress competition.
Musical entertainment and dance shows will be on throughout the weekend, and plenty of local food and drink on sale in the marquee.
You can enter one of the competitive classes at the Show with over 300 classes for Horticulture, Floral Art, Handicrafts, Cookery, Photography and Art.
Where: Dunster Castle Lawns, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SL
When: Friday 16th August 2024
- Gates open 8 am
Price: Adult Advance £18 (£20 on the door); Child (16 and Under) Free
Parking: Free
Dunster Show is the premier Agricultural Show in West Somerset and one of the most famous and historic shows in the county. Taking place on the lawns below Dunster Castle the dramatic backdrop is a perfect setting for a magical family day out. You can even arrive in style on the West Somerset Heritage railway which stops nearby.
Come and celebrate the rural heritage of the county with the best of Somerset farming and livestock, alongside entertainment for a fun day out for all the family. There’s captivating performances in the main ring from a motorbike display team, a falconry display, parades of horses, hounds, cattle and sheep, plus the vintage tractor parade. There are competitive classes for Horses, Cattle, and Sheep, attracting participants nationwide.
Take the opportunity to explore agriculture, local crafts, art and clothing at the many trade stalls, and visit the show’s flourishing food hall where you can sample foods from numerous local producers. Children are catered for with entertainment shows, a circus and funfair.
Dogs admitted on a lead.
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Where: The Mid Somerset Showground, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4GF
When: Sunday 18th August 2024
- Gates open 9 am – 6.00 pm
Price: FREE
Parking: £16/car (early bird price)
Where: Vivary Park, Upper High Steet, Taunton, TA1 3SX
When: Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August 2024
Price: Early Bird £18/Friday; £16/Saturday; Children (age 17 and Under) FREE with a paying adult.
Experience the oldest flower show in the country, set in the heart of Taunton – the county town of Somerset. It has a long and rich history, having been a fixture since 1831. As well as the large marquees holding the competitive classes, you can see the beautiful show gardens on display, and visit the horticultural, gardening, craft and local food traders in the Artisan Village.
The main arena has animal displays and family entertainment. There is a children’s zone with free activities to keep the kids entertained over both days.
The show also features other smaller marquees – with a bee and honey show and a wine show.
Only assistance dogs will be allowed in the showground.
Where: West Woodlands Showground, Bunns Lane, Frome, BA11 5ES
When: Saturday 14th September 2024
- 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Price: (Early bird price) Adult £14; Children (5-15) £5; Family of 4 £34
Parking: Free onsite parking. There is also a free shuttle bus services from multiple pick-up points in Frome (including the railway station) to the showground.
The Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show is a jam packed day of entertainment that the whole family will enjoy. Not only is there lots and lots of cheese but there’s also music, a dog show and displays in the arena.
This year there are four arenas showing thrilling acts, fun entertainment and fierce competitions. Last year there was Terrier racing, falconry displays, Pony Club games, working heavy horses, big machines, a Hogg Show, livestock parade, a family dog show and show jumping.
There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained with inflatable slides, shows and more.
The Frome Show music stage will be back again this year with an amazing selection of local artists performing throughout the day.
Dogs on leads are welcome.
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You can’t beat a day out at a traditional country show, it’s good outdoor fun for the whole family.
READ MORE: The Best Farm Shops in Somerset
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