Often billed as ‘Devon’s Big Day Out’, the Devon County Show is one of the largest events in the county and provides a showcase for all aspects of rural life. It’s the perfect way to spend a day out, enjoying the sights and sounds of the countryside. While competitions for livestock of all shapes and sizes form the backbone of the show, there is plenty more to see – the activity in the show’s six rings is virtually non-stop.
The show plays host to over 1000 horses and ponies over three days of competition. As well as exciting top-level show-jumping classes, the main arena hosts scurry driving, where pairs of ponies are driven around an obstacle course at a fast and furious pace! Equally speedy are the participants in the Shetland pony Grand National. Magnificent heavy horses parade in one of the outer rings and there are numerous showing classes to watch, ranging from beautiful Arabian horses, with their distinctive ‘dished’ faces, to children’s ponies.
If you like other animals, you’ll also be well-catered for. Cows, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas and poultry all have their own sections and you’ll find many rare and minority breeds on display. Smaller animals also get a look-in, with competitions for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. For a more hands-on experience, why not visit the children’s farm area? Here, you can watch chicks hatch and piglets scamper, bake your own bread and plant seeds to take home with you.
Keen gardeners will want to investigate the Crafts and Gardens Pavilion. As well as all things plant-related, there are craft stands and competitions for floral art and home baking. Bees have their own marquee, where you can see inside a hive and buy a honey and clotted cream scone. There are also live demonstrations on beekeeping and honey making – perfect if you’ve ever thought about setting up your own apiary.
Feeling hungry? Visit the Food and Drink Pavilion to taste some of the best produce the county has to offer. The Food Walk has something for everyone and caters to all diets, whether you’re looking for a snack to eat at the show, something to take home with you or a special gift. The show also offers an unrivalled selection of real ales and ciders (well, it is the West Country!). As well as numerous producers in the pavilion, there’s the Dartmoor Brewery Bar in the picnic area and the Contented Cow pub.
You can shop ’til you drop at the show too. The hundreds of trade stands offer everything from clothing to a new tractor! Local rural businesses, including the area’s agricultural colleges, are also represented, so why not stop in for a chat.
The show opens at 8.00 am each day and goes on well into the evening, with trade stands being open from 9.00 am until 6.30 pm. This year marks the 125th running of the show. It will be held over the first weekend in July before hopefully returning to its more usual slot of the 3rd weekend in May from 2022.
