About the Great Yorkshire Show
The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious agricultural events, celebrating the very best of farming, food, countryside traditions and rural life. Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the show brings together farmers, livestock breeders, food producers, businesses and visitors from across the country for four days of entertainment, education and competition. Whether you’re passionate about agriculture or simply looking for a fantastic family day out, the show offers something for everyone.
A Brief History
Dating back to 1838, the Great Yorkshire Show has grown from a small agricultural exhibition into one of the highlights of the British farming calendar. Throughout its long history, it has showcased the latest farming innovations alongside traditional livestock competitions, equestrian events and local produce. While agriculture remains at its heart, the show has successfully evolved to include shopping, live entertainment, demonstrations and interactive exhibits, making it an event enjoyed by people of all ages.
Location, Tickets and Membership
The show takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, an excellent venue with permanent facilities and plenty of space for the huge number of exhibitors and 150,000 visitors who attend each year. Tickets are purchased in advance, with daily attendance capped to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience. Members of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society benefit from discounted entry, exclusive facilities and additional perks throughout the year, making membership worthwhile for regular visitors.
Arrival, Parking and Public Transport
Despite attracting thousands of visitors every day, arriving at the Great Yorkshire Show is remarkably straightforward. Extensive parking is provided around the showground, with helpful stewards directing traffic efficiently throughout the day. Although queues are inevitable during peak arrival and departure times, the process is well organised and moves steadily.
For those travelling without a car, public transport is an excellent option. Regular free shuttle buses operate from Harrogate railway station directly to the showground, making the event easily accessible by train from across Yorkshire and beyond. Clear signage and friendly volunteers ensure visitors can quickly find their way once they arrive.
Exploring the Showground
Walking through the entrance, it is immediately obvious why the Great Yorkshire Show enjoys such a fantastic reputation. Everywhere there is colour, excitement and an incredible atmosphere. The showground buzzes with activity as visitors explore the enormous range of attractions, exhibitions and demonstrations spread across the vast site.
One of the very first things to catch my eye this year was the enormous combine harvester displayed proudly on the President’s Lawn. It was quite simply the biggest combine harvester I had ever seen. Towering above the surrounding displays, it perfectly demonstrated the scale and sophistication of modern farming machinery. It quickly became one of the most photographed exhibits of the day, with visitors standing beside it to appreciate just how huge it really was.
Music played a huge part in creating the wonderful atmosphere throughout the show. With two bandstands hosting live performances across the day, there always seemed to be somewhere to stop and enjoy a selection of brass bands, military music and local performers. The live music added a real sense of celebration and made the whole showground feel alive.
One of the highlights for food lovers was watching the famous cheese judging competitions. Expert judges carefully assessed entries for appearance, texture, aroma and flavour before selecting the winning cheeses. It was fascinating to see just how much knowledge and expertise goes into judging what many of us simply enjoy on a cheeseboard.
The food halls and shopping areas were incredibly popular throughout the day. There were countless stalls selling artisan produce, gifts, crafts and local delicacies. Two of the busiest stands belonged to Asda and Morrisons, both of which were offering generous samples of their products. It was impossible to walk past without being tempted by something new to taste, and there was certainly no shortage of delicious treats on offer.
One of my own personal highlights came when I had the opportunity to be photographed with the Mayor of Ripon. It was a lovely moment and certainly made the day even more memorable. Encounters like this are part of what makes the Great Yorkshire Show such a welcoming community event, bringing together people from all walks of life.
Standing proudly near the centre of the showground was the giant Big Wheel, which acts as a landmark visible from almost everywhere on the site. As it slowly rotates above the crowds, it offers spectacular panoramic views across the entire showground and surrounding countryside. Even from ground level, it was impossible to miss and made a useful meeting point throughout the day.
Livestock competitions remain one of the biggest attractions, and I spent quite some time watching the judging of the magnificent heavy horses. Seeing these gentle giants presented to such an exceptionally high standard was remarkable. The judges carefully examined each animal while handlers proudly showed off months of preparation and training. Among the heavy horse classes were some beautiful Clydesdales and Suffolk’s many of which were pulling traditional carts and wagons. Their strength, elegance and calm temperament made them an absolute pleasure to watch, while the beautifully restored harnesses and carriages added an extra touch of history to the competitions.
Equestrian enthusiasts were particularly well catered for with showjumping taking place in both the Main and Top Spec Rings throughout the day. The skill of both horse and rider was outstanding as they tackled challenging courses with remarkable speed and precision. Whether watching from the grandstands or standing beside the arena, the competitions were consistently exciting.
Entertainment continued throughout the day with performances from the Yorkshire Volunteer Band, whose music drew appreciative crowds wherever they performed. They were joined by the ever-popular Forever Tenors, whose powerful vocals provided another wonderful musical highlight. With performances taking place several times daily, there was always another opportunity to stop and enjoy the entertainment.
The cattle judging rings attracted large crowds eager to see some of the country’s finest livestock. Farmers proudly presented immaculate animals representing a variety of breeds, while judges considered conformation, condition and breed characteristics. Even for visitors with little farming knowledge, it was fascinating to watch the judging process unfold.
The local area stands celebrated everything that makes the county so special. From local tourism and traditional crafts to regional businesses and food producers. This avenue showcased Yorkshire’s rich heritage with genuine pride, providing an excellent opportunity to discover more about the county beyond the showground itself.
Another beautiful area was the Flower Show, where colourful floral and vegetable displays demonstrated incredible creativity and skill. Nearby, the Potting Shed Theatre hosted gardening talks and practical demonstrations, offering plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in plants, flowers or growing their own produce.
The School Veg Box Competition was another wonderful feature of the show. Schools from across the region displayed imaginative vegetable boxes filled with home-grown produce and creative designs. It was encouraging to see so many young people becoming involved in gardening and learning about where food comes from.
Every afternoon, crowds gathered for the spectacular Bolddog FMX motorcycle stunt team performance. Their breathtaking tricks, high-speed jumps and remarkable balance skills kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Gasps from the audience were quickly followed by loud applause as each daring stunt was completed successfully.
Traditional sheepdog trials demonstrated one of farming’s oldest and most respected skills. The partnership between handler and dog was incredible to watch, with each sheepdog responding instantly to whistles and commands while expertly guiding sheep around the challenging course.
Nearby, the Hive and Honey Pavilion proved extremely popular, offering an insight into the fascinating world of beekeeping. Visitors could learn about the importance of bees, watch live hives in action and browse an impressive selection of locally produced honey and bee-related products. It was both educational and delicious.
The Hound area was another favourite stop, where visitors could meet a variety of working hounds and learn more about their history, breeding and role within the countryside. The knowledgeable handlers were always happy to answer questions, making it an informative experience.
One event that generated plenty of excitement was the fast-paced scurry racing. Watching pairs of horses pull lightweight carts around a tight obstacle course at impressive speed required incredible teamwork and precision. The races were entertaining from start to finish and drew enthusiastic crowds.
In another corner of the showground, the Ariat Great Yorkshire Show Stage hosted interviews and discussions throughout the day, with ITV Yorkshire’s Christine Talbot interviewing a variety of guests. These sessions provided fascinating insights into farming, food production and rural life, while also featuring personalities connected with the show.
One of the most dramatic moments of my visit came during the pole climbing competition on the final afternoon. Competitors raced vertically up a towering pole in an extraordinary test of speed, strength and technique. I was fortunate enough to witness the fastest climb of the entire tournament, completed in an astonishing 9.6 seconds. The crowd erupted into cheers as the competitor rang the bell at the top before descending to well-deserved applause. It was an unforgettable finish to an already fantastic day.
Looking back, the Great Yorkshire Show truly offers far more than an agricultural exhibition. It successfully combines farming excellence, family entertainment, live music, shopping, food, education and thrilling demonstrations into one outstanding event. Every corner of the showground offers something new to discover, whether that’s award-winning livestock, spectacular equestrian competitions, colourful flower displays or delicious local food.
My visit was packed with memorable moments, from seeing the enormous combine harvester on the President’s Lawn and meeting the Mayor of Ripon to watching breathtaking motorcycle stunts, admiring magnificent heavy horses and witnessing a record-breaking pole climb. The welcoming atmosphere, exceptional organisation and incredible variety of attractions make it easy to understand why so many people return year after year.
If you’ve never experienced the Great Yorkshire Show before, I would highly recommend adding it to your calendar. It is a brilliant celebration of Yorkshire’s agricultural heritage while embracing modern farming, local communities and family entertainment. Whether you spend one day or all four, you’ll leave with lasting memories and a much greater appreciation of the countryside and the people who help shape it.
Dates for your diary. The 168th Great Yorkshire Show will take place in Harrogate on 13-17th July 2027.
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I was a guest of the Great Yorkshire Show and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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