Planning which UK county shows to visit in 2026 is harder than it should be. Information is scattered across dozens of websites. Dates clash. Ticket prices vary wildly. You want one place to compare them properly.
This guide does exactly that. We compare every major county show of 2026 side by side. Dates, prices, size, travel, family appeal.
We run the Kent County Show, so yes, we have skin in the game. We have written this the way we would want to read it, with verified data and honest comparisons.
What Is a County Show?
A county show is an annual agricultural event that celebrates farming, food, livestock and rural life in a specific region of the UK. Most run for two to four days at a permanent showground. They feature livestock competitions, equestrian classes, food halls, trade stands and family entertainment.
Most UK county shows are run by charitable agricultural societies. Many date back more than 150 years. Profits typically fund education, rural skills and farming scholarships.
County shows are different from general country shows or food festivals. The livestock ring is the heart of the event.
UK County Shows 2026: Dates and Locations at a Glance
Here is every major UK county show confirmed for 2026. All dates verified directly from each organiser’s official website in April 2026.
| Show | 2026 Dates | Location | Duration | Adult Early-Bird Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon County Show | 21–23 May | Westpoint, Exeter | 3 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Bath & West Show | 28–30 May | Shepton Mallet, Somerset | 3 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Cornwall Show | 4–6 June | Wadebridge, Cornwall | 3 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Three Counties Show | 12–14 June | Malvern, Worcestershire | 3 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Highland Show | 18–21 June | Ingliston, Edinburgh | 4 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Norfolk Show | 24–25 June | Norwich | 2 days | Check organiser |
| Kent County Show | 3–5 July | Detling, Maidstone | 3 days | £20 (Early-Bird) |
| Great Yorkshire Show | 14–17 July | Harrogate | 4 days | Check organiser |
| Royal Welsh Show | 20–23 July | Llanelwedd, Builth Wells | 4 days | Check organiser |
Always check the organiser’s website before booking. Dates are confirmed but advance ticket prices move as the show gets closer.
How We Compared Each Show
We looked at six factors across every show. Scale, location, duration, family appeal, value and accessibility.
Data was pulled from each show’s official website and public attendance figures. We also used first-hand knowledge from running the Kent County Show for 95 years.
The Biggest County Shows in the UK
According to attendance data, the Royal Highland Show is currently the largest county show in the UK, drawing over 214,000 visitors in 2025. The Royal Welsh Show and Great Yorkshire Show follow closely, with Yorkshire capped at 140,000 visitors across four days.
Here are the three biggest UK county shows by visitor numbers:
- Royal Highland Show (Edinburgh) — around 214,000 visitors over four days
- Great Yorkshire Show (Harrogate) — 140,000 visitors across four days, tickets typically sell out a week in advance
- Royal Welsh Show (Llanelwedd) — the largest by agricultural scale, four days in late July
Size is not everything. The biggest shows also get the busiest, with queues, ticket sell-outs and heavy traffic. Smaller shows often deliver a better experience per hour.
Kent County Show Size and Attendance
The Kent County Show attracts around 100,000 visitors across three days and hosts approximately 400 exhibitors. That puts it comfortably in the top tier of regional shows. It is the biggest rural event in the South East.
Best County Shows for Families in 2026
If you are bringing children, some shows deliver more for the money than others. The best family county shows combine low child ticket prices, free under-5 entry, interactive activities and easy logistics.
Our picks for the best family county shows in 2026:
- Kent County Show — child tickets from £4, under 5s free, family ticket £48
- Royal Three Counties Show — over 100 free activities for children, animal encounters, Malvern Hills setting
- Royal Norfolk Show — free parking, 3,000 animals, strong food offering
- Devon County Show — broad animal and craft sections, family-focused entertainment
- Royal Cornwall Show — family traditions going back to 1793, strong community feel
Every show on this list has free entry for young children. The difference comes down to pricing for older kids and what is included once you are inside.
How the Kent County Show Compares in 2026
The Kent County Show runs from 3rd, 4th and 5th July 2026 at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone. This is the 95th Kent County Show.
Here is where Kent stands out.
Accessibility from London and the South East
Kent wins on location if you are travelling from London or anywhere in the South East. The Showground sits directly on the A249, between M20 Junction 7 and M2 Junction 5. Maidstone East station runs a shuttle bus service direct to the main gate.
No other major county show is this accessible from the capital. Great Yorkshire needs a full day of travel from London. Royal Highland means flying to Edinburgh.
Value for Families
Early-Bird pricing for the 2026 Kent County Show is £20 per adult, £4 per child aged 5 to 15, free for children under 5, and £48 for a family ticket covering two adults and three children. That family rate is one of the strongest in the sector.
Parking is free. Under-16s travel free on the shuttle bus. The only extras are food, drink and any fairground rides your kids persuade you into.
Livestock and Equine Competition
Kent hosts over 100 equine classes across three days, including Horse of the Year Show and London International Horse Show qualifiers. The cattle, sheep and goat rings remain the heart of the show.
The 2026 Kent County Show also celebrates the 80th anniversary of Kent Young Farmers’ Clubs, with members aged 10 to 28 competing in livestock classes.
Kent Food and Drink
The Garden of England delivers on food. The Produced In Kent section showcases local makers. The new Festival of Food returns for 2026 with artisan producers from across Kent and beyond.
Where Kent Does Not Lead
Honesty matters. Kent is smaller than Great Yorkshire, Royal Highland or Royal Welsh by attendance. If you want the absolute biggest trade stand count in the UK, Yorkshire still wins.
What Kent offers instead is density. Easier access, friendlier pricing, less queueing, a tighter three-day format. For most families, that combination beats pure scale.
County Show Ticket Prices 2026: What to Expect
County show adult tickets in 2026 typically cost between £20 and £35 when booked in advance, with gate prices often £5 to £10 higher. Most major shows offer discounted family tickets and free entry for under-5s.
Key pricing points to know:
- Advance booking saves money at almost every show. Kent’s £20 Early-Bird rate is one of the most competitive.
- Family tickets usually cover two adults and two or three children. Kent’s £48 family ticket covers five people.
- Membership options can pay for themselves if you plan to attend multiple events. Kent County Agricultural Society membership starts at £70 and includes all three days plus the Heritage Transport Show and Biddenden Tractorfest.
Always book in advance. At the Great Yorkshire Show, tickets have sold out before the event every year since 2021.
What to Do at Detling Beyond the County Show
One point worth flagging. The Kent Showground is not just a one-weekend-a-year venue. The Kent County Agricultural Society runs events at Detling throughout the year.
The 2026 calendar includes the Kent Garden Show (23–25 May 2026), the Heritage Transport Show, Farm Expo, the Kent Farming Conference and Biddenden Tractorfest on 15–16 August 2026.
If you enjoy county shows, these are where to spend the rest of your year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county shows are happening in the UK in 2026?
Over a dozen major county shows run across the UK in 2026. Key dates include the Devon County Show (21–23 May), Royal Bath & West (28–30 May), Royal Cornwall Show (4–6 June), Royal Three Counties Show (12–14 June), Royal Highland Show (18–21 June), Royal Norfolk Show (24–25 June), Kent County Show (3–5 July), Great Yorkshire Show (14–17 July) and Royal Welsh Show (20–23 July).
When is the Kent County Show 2026?
The Kent County Show 2026 takes place on Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2026. It runs at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone. Gates open at 8:00am and close at 6:00pm each day, with last entry at 5:00pm. The 2026 show marks the 95th Kent County Show.
What is the biggest county show in the UK?
The Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh is the largest UK county show by attendance, drawing around 214,000 visitors over four days in 2025. The Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd is the largest by agricultural scale. The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate is the biggest in England, capped at 35,000 visitors per day.
How much do county show tickets cost in 2026?
Adult tickets for UK county shows in 2026 typically cost £20 to £35 when booked in advance, with gate prices higher. Kent County Show Early-Bird adult tickets are £20, children aged 5 to 15 are £4, and under 5s are free. A family ticket for two adults and three children costs £48. Advance booking is cheaper at every major show.
Is the Kent County Show worth visiting?
Yes, the Kent County Show offers one of the most accessible county shows in the South East. It sits directly between M20 J7 and M2 J5, with a shuttle bus from Maidstone East station. With 100,000 visitors across three days, 400 exhibitors, over 100 equine classes, free parking and family tickets from £48, it delivers strong value.
Plan Your 2026 County Show Calendar
Whichever county shows you pick, 2026 is a strong year for UK rural events. Nine major shows across England, Wales and Scotland, running from late May to late July.
If you are in Kent, the South East or London, the Kent County Show is the easiest and best-value show on that list. Three days, 100,000 visitors, family tickets from £48, and a showground 45 minutes from central London.
Book your Kent County Show 2026 tickets at the Early-Bird rate before they rise. While you are there, take a look at our year-round events at Detling to plan the rest of your 2026.
Which county shows made your 2026 shortlist? Tell us in the comments.
