For three days each year the dedicated showground at Wadebridge is transformed into a living town, bustling with life, energy, agriculture, entertainment and trade. It is a significant event on the Cornish calendar with around 130,000 people attending.
What happens?
This has been Cornwall’s showcase since it was first held back in 1793 and as you’d expect from a county show, a fascinating glimpse into rural life in the county. Apart from the livestock judging, there is the famous flower tent decked out with wonderful displays from individuals and local nurseries. The main ring offers a full three days of entertainment featuring different headline acts each year, plus show jumping and a fast and furious inter-hunt relay. There is also a full programme of entertainment and demonstrations in the countryside area, alongside Cornish heritage and Cornish wrestling. You’ll find busy marquees dedicated to goats and rare breeds, cage birds and poultry, bees and rabbits, there’s a major dog show, a traditional steam fair, the Cornwall Festival of Dance, forestry and if that’s not enough then there’s the motor fair, agricultural machinery, crafts, health and beauty … in fact, something for all the family.
How can you take part?
The show is well attended and there can be traffic queues entering the main car parks, which are plentiful, to the showground. The advice is to get there early. There are simply loads of stalls selling fantastic local food and drink for you to sample straight from the suppliers, a chance to see some sheep shearing close at hand, you can browse the many trade stands (over 1,000 of them), listen to live music and during the three days and the show often gets a visit from a member of the royal family.
Royal Cornwall Show