‘A magical event evoking times past’: readers’ favourite UK country shows | United Kingdom holidays

Spectacular backdrop, Somerset

The 175th Dunster Show, being held today (18 August), is not to be missed. It has all of the features you’d expect – livestock, tractors, horses and friendly competition. It showcases local produce and crafts. And all with the spectacular backdrop of Dunster Castle and beautiful Exmoor.
Sarah

Thrills and spills, Hampshire

The Wellington International Horse Trials and Country Fair (£20, 26-29 August), offers a thrilling weekend for the whole family. For adults there is a selection of quality bars and food stalls including artisan caterers, with boutique shopping on site. The kids won’t be bored with a huge range of kids activities included in the ticket price, from a bouncy castle and tractor trailer rides to circus performers, birds of prey and face painting, creating a lively family atmosphere. For those of you with a penchant for entertainment of the four-legged variety the pony and dog shows will be a real highlight. With live music playing throughout the weekend who could be bored?
Christopher Bridger

My pastry was risible, Peak District

Held in the spectacular parkland of Chatsworth House, the Chatsworth Country Fair (1-3 September) is a wonderful event. Admission this year is £27 but this allows you a ringside seat to equestrian spectacles, dressage and cute British animal events like ferret racing and beautiful bunny rabbit contests. There’s a traditional funfair and cooking masterclasses run by celebrity chefs you can try your hand at. My attempt to make a rarebit pie pastry was met with derision from my wife and a rather demanding audience. Perhaps the picturesque Peak District panorama distracted me.
Nigel

The dancing diggers of Driffield, east Yorkshire

Next July make a date for east Yorkshire’s Driffield Show (date tbc). First held in 1854, it’s the social event of the year for local farmers, with silver salvers, rose bowls, cups and trophies in categories for heavy horses, sheep, cattle, horses and ponies. Those without specialist knowledge can discover the difference between charolais, dexter and limousin cattle or check out how Oxford down, Suffolk and Hampshire sheep breeds differ. The show features “dancing diggers” in the main ring, a food theatre full of tempting local produce and a horticultural marquee for green-fingered visitors.
Helen

Wrestling and cake, Cumbria

Sadly, you’ll have to wait until August 2024 for the next Cockermouth Show with its vast range of livestock, machinery and traditional Cumbrian wrestling. You can see a vast array of the most beautiful farm animals including sheep, goats and cattle. There is also show jumping and sheep dog trials and a wide range of cake and make competitions to see. Plus there are tractors on show. Best of all is the ruthless Cumbrian wrestling, the most brutal activity.
Darren Atkinson

Wings galore, near Inverness

In early August, the two-day Moy Country Fair celebrates rural activities, and takes place at Moy Estate near Inverness. The fair offers spectacles for all ages such as gun dog and farrier demos, pipe bands, falconry displays, mountain bike stunts and more. The fair also features stalls selling Scottish delicacies and handcrafted items – loads to fill your boots!
Peter Diender

Carted off, West Sussex

The South of England show in Ardingly is a beautiful mix of local livestock and horses, as well as local crafts, produce and activities. It feels like stepping back in time with its wholesome agricultural display yet nods to the contemporary confidently with its displays of craft beers, delicious cuisine and an array of stalls featuring everything from ethical toys to local sparkling wines. The summer show has passed but the autumn show and game fair on 23-24 September promises to be cracking and features international horse trials.
Kirsty Moore

Good for a laugh, near Glasgow

I was brought up in a town called Barrhead 10 miles south-west of Glasgow. Every year on the first Saturday in May we would go to the Cattle Show, which wasn’t far from our house in a little village called Neilston – in one of the fields there. It was a great day out and lots of fun. There was always a baby show, tug of war and lots to see and do, and of course the famous cattle show where we could watch the best of cattle getting judged; dog shows, which were always a laugh; and then have a snack in one of the many food tents there. The weather wasn’t always kind, but we still enjoyed ourselves and it became a great tradition, which is still enjoyed to this day by our family.
Elaine Alexander

A cheesy affair, Dorset

The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival (£8, 9-10 September), is a family event where you will find not only cheese, pickles, crackers and wine, but chocolate to tempt those with a sweet tooth. There is also live music, craft stalls, cooking demonstrations, beer/cider tents and a delicious hog roast. While it is dog friendly, you can’t take them into the food tents.
Andrea Dimmock

Winning tip: Bowland village bash, Lancashire

The venue for the Hodder Valley Show, whose origins go back to 1864, changes annually from Dunsop Bridge to Newton-in-Bowland and Slaidburn (this year, 9 September) in turn. It is a magical event evoking times past, set amid the breathtaking scenery of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Tradition demands heavy horses, vintage tractors, a fell race, sheep shearing and sheep dog trials – there is also a lifesize model of a Holstein cow where kids can try their hand at milking. The Slaidburn Silver Band will be there; they have been playing at country shows for more than 120 years and no one wishes that to change.
Martin Charlesworth