If watching prize-winning livestock competing for coveted trophies is your thing, or just taking the family out for a fun filled summer day, our selection of agricultural shows in North Yorkshire is a great place to start.
All of the shows featured have a core farming theme, with either cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and poultry (or all the above and more). They also have various marquees and trade stands filled with anything and everything, from local produce to top of the range farm machinery. So whether it’s seeing the best behaved, most well groomed cow or enjoying some of Yorkshire’s finest products you won’t be short of things to do.
Each event also showcases unique local performers, attractions and activities for all the family. Vintage vehicle displays, live bands, funfairs, handicrafts, horticulture, terrier racing, etc. And if you enter early you may even be able to compete in one of the classes or if you sell products, have a stall.
While there is a good range of shows, from a few smaller village shows to some of the biggest in the country, this is far from an extensive list. If you want to suggest your own favourite please feel free to add a comment at the bottom, some of the best ones might even get their event listed in our events calendar.
Great Yorkshire Show
9-11 July 2013
We start with probably one of the biggest, most prestigious shows in the UK. This huge event, taking place over 3 days at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, attracts roughly 130,000 visitors each year! And with fashion shows, some of the countries finest food and clothing brands, and international performers, like this years The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team – The White Helmets, you can certainly see why it’s so big.
Malton Show
14 July 2013
Held in the delightful Yorkshire market town of Malton, the 127th Malton Show has performances and displays by the Black Rock Llamas, Malton School Jazz Band and the Shadowquest Dog Display Team. With Punch and Judy, glitter stencils, face painting and balloon hats this is a great day out for the kids.
Aldborough & Boroughbridge Agricultural Show
21 July 2013
Celebrating it’s 100th show there is no better year than this to visit. Enjoy the festivities, with special events that include a vintage vehicle parade, dog agility and heavy horse working displays, and a fire and rescue demonstration.
Ryedale Show
30 July 2013
A traditional country show that is renowned for its high standards and attracts 15,000 people through its gates. It has multiple exhibition rings for the various livestock classes. This family friendly event has a few hundred stalls, a dog show, with sheep dog displays, and much, much more.
Rosedale & District Annual Show
17 August 2013
Set in the tranquil heart of the North York Moors National Park, in the scenic village of Rosedale. You may think this is one of the smaller shows but there is plenty going on, with rabbit and pigeon classes as well as the usual livestock, scarecrows, foxhound and gundog shows, gymkhana and the Malton White Star Band.
Egton Show
21 August 2013
Still in the North York Moors but nearer the coast, not far from Whitby is the Egton Show. There is a farrier display, wrought iron display, farmers market, bee keeping and children’s activities. Close to the Esk Valley and the North York Moors Railway lines, this is an ideal destination for a summer holiday in the UK, see what accommodation is available that week.
Wensleydale Agricultural Show
24 August 2013
Near Leyburn, just on the border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is a traditional dales show. This year includes special guests from the ITV show, The Dales, and Emma Chapman’s Western Riding Display. It’s huge poultry display has over 60 classes alone and with carriage driving, classic cars, dry stone walling competitions and steam machines of all shapes and sizes its not to be missed.
Reeth Show
26 August 2013
And if you enjoyed the Wensleydale show why not crossover to the next Dale up, Swaledale, for a bank holiday treat. It plays host to The Great Fremington Edge Fell Race, which overlooks the showground. The dry stone walling competition is open to everyone during the day and the Reeth Brass Band kicks off proceedings with a parade through the village.
Nidderdale Show
23 September 2013
Attracting 20,000 visitors to the market town of Pateley Bridge in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is a spectacular event with backdrop to match. Attractions include: Young Farmers competitions, children’s pet on a lead, 3 local bands, heritage marquee, a forestry exhibition and even a cricket and football match.
Masham Sheep Fair
28-29 September 2013
If sheep are your thing then this is the event for you. With a sheep show, sheep racing, fleece stalls, wool crafts and sheepdog demonstrations you may think it’s a bit too sheeptastic, but you’d be wrong. The street fair also includes morris dancers, an art exhibition, brewery tours (Black Sheep and Theakston’s), a craft market and a children’s fair. You’d be baa-my to miss out!
If you’ve been to any of these events before or are planning to go to any this year, why not let us know below or on our facebook page.
Come to Yorkshire for a short break and book a Dales holiday cottage, Moors campsite or coastal B&B.