County shows in United Kingdom

County Shows are summer outdoor agricultural shows held in various parts of the United Kingdom. They are a great day out for the visitor and a must for businesses involved. There are competitions, with prizes awarded by judges, allowing farmers and breeders to show off their cattle or crops: the winners often gain much prestige. There are also many trade stands which offer the latest farming machinery, feeds, fertilizers and other farming products. Other trade stands and activities have been added to make the shows more attractive to locals and visitors alike. Trade stands may offer goods ranging from clothing to fine wines. Often there are features such as showjumping, funfairs, military displays and food exhibitions.

In the early years these shows used to be held in different locations each year, but in the 1960s the local agricultural societies started to purchase land to create permanent showgrounds. The first purpose built showground was in Harrogate where the Great Yorkshire Show is held.

Many of the larger counties hold their own shows: these include Berkshire, Cornwall, Devon, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Yorkshire. Norfolk has the Royal Norfolk Show which is claimed as the largest two day agricultural show in the UK.

On the other hand some counties have grouped together and created such shows as: The Three Counties Show (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire), The East of England Show (Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire), the Royal Welsh Show, the Royal Highland Show, the South of England Show (Sussex), The Bath & West Show (Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire) and the Royal Show (the largest of all, which is held in Kenilworth, Warwickshire but encompasses the whole country).

For the South of England see : [http://www.wessex.me.uk/WESSEX_SHOWS_2006.html] or [http://www.showmans-directory.co.uk] or for a humorous look at the County Shows see : [http://www.wessex.me.uk/exhib.html]