Welsh agricultural and rural shows

Towards the end of July each year, the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd in Builth Wells, hosts the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. It's one of Wales’ flagship events, attracting more than 200,000 visitors to the heart of mid-Wales from all over the world. Along with an exciting four-day programme of livestock and equine competitions, the show has something for everyone through its wide range of forestry, food, craft and horticulture attractions and displays. The 2024 Royal Welsh Show takes place from 22-25 July.

The Royal Welsh Show provides a prime shop window for farming in Wales and is indeed the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar. Competing at the show is the highlight of any Welsh farmer’s career. 

Thousands of competitions are held over the four-day period with competitors travelling from far and wide to compete. 7,000 livestock entries are showcased in the Main Ring, as well as the cattle, sheep, pigs and goat, and horse rings. 

There's a range of non-Livestock competitions, including wood chopping. honey making, baking Bara Brith and tug of war. The sheep shearing demos and sheepdog trials are extremely popular with visitors… nearly as popular as the gigantic fruit and vegetables grown for the horticulture competitions.

The Royal Welsh Show is a perfect day out for the whole family, with plenty of shows within the show. 

The Food Hall is a must-visit attraction for a taste of Wales. Visitors can sample and buy a huge range of Welsh food and drink produce, much of it award-winning. 

Stands sell a vast range of products at the show from agricultural machinery and gardening supplies to crafts and clothing. Small independent businesses selling artisan handmade products sit side by side with large multi-national organisations. 

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Tickets are available from the Royal Welsh Show website. Early bird tickets are available until June and children under 5 are free.

The showground is located where the A470 and A483 cross at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells and the event is well signposted from all directions. Free park and ride buses run to and from the showground from 7.30am until 9.30pm daily. 

The nearest train station is Builth Road, just over a mile away from the showground. Or hop on the regular T4 bus route between Newtown and Cardiff as it stops in both Builth Wells and Llanelwedd, only a short walk to the showground.

Download the Royal Welsh Show app for all the latest information and to create your own personalised schedule. 

Planning on staying over? Builth Wells and the surrounding area has some superb B&Bs, hotels, cottages, guest houses and campsites in some of the UK’s most glorious and spectacular countryside. 

Read more: Things to do in Builth Wells

If you can’t get to the Royal Welsh Show in July don’t worry, the Llanelwedd showground and the team behind the show also host two other agricultural fairs during the year - the Smallholding Festival and the Winter Fair. 

The Smallholding and Countryside Festival in May is a celebration of rural life and showcases the real diversity of the Welsh countryside, and the Winter Fair in November is one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe as well as a fantastic opportunity to do some Christmas shopping.

With 80% of Welsh land managed for farming in some way, it’s no surprise that agricultural shows play a big part in Wales’ calendar of events. The best of regional farming can be seen at local country shows across the country. 

Aberystwyth & Ceredigion County Show has over 1700 entries, with a national show for some breeds of sheep. Have a fun family day out, with a speed shearing evening concert, with performances by Welsh pop stars such as Dafydd Iwan and Bryn Fôn.

The Brecon County Show, established in 1755, is the oldest agricultural society show in the UK. It’s a great day out for all the family featuring livestock and Main Ring attractions as well as domestic, horticulture, food hall and craft stalls.

Cardigan County Show features livestock judging from all over the country plus a dog show, food hall and fun fair. Enjoy some of the best farm produce and a range of arts and crafts. 
 

The Anglesey Agricultural Show is an annual two-day event held at the Mona Showground. The show offers superbly presented animals and livestock, a shopping and exhibition pavilion, competitions, craft exhibitors, a food hall, produce exhibitions, machinery and vehicle stands and much more. 

Pembrokeshire County Show is a fun family event taking place over two day. It's Pembrokeshire's biggest agricultural event and offers great attractions and events plus live entertainment. There's dog agility, show jumping, classic cars and a fun fair.

On the second Saturday in September, every year since 1844, Usk Farmers’ Club have held the Usk Show to celebrate the very best of Monmouthshire farming and rural life. At the 100 acre Usk Showground near the village of Gwernesney the show comprises 11 different sections each holding their own competitions on the day. Expect show jumping, companion dog shows and vintage tractors.

The Anglesey Winter Fair is an annual two day event. It features livestock, equine and produce exhibitors and machinery plus a dog show. Take the opportunity to buy some of your Christmas presents early from the craft stalls. It's all held under cover.