Whether you’ve been coming for decades or are planning your very first visit, and whether you come for the livestock, the shopping, the food, the horses or simply a great family day out, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is one of Dorset’s biggest celebrations of rural life.
Across two packed days you’ll find championship livestock, heavy horses, machinery, countryside crafts, horticulture, cookery, local food and drink, shopping, live music, family activities and hundreds of trade stands. In fact, there’s so much going on that you’ll struggle to fit it all into a single day. The good news? Once you’re through the gate, almost everything is included in your admission ticket! Fancy watching champion cattle parade in the Main Ring? Or trying your hand at stone carving, meeting some beagles, cheering on the terrier racing or simply wandering through the food marquee to try some samples and enjoy the atmosphere? There’s plenty to keep you busy without spending another penny. Here are 40 ways to make the most of your day…
- Watch Horseboarding in the Main Ring – speed, skill and spectacular jumps in this year’s big crowd-pleaser
- Watch the Polo – fast-paced action where horses and riders battle it out for every goal
- Catch the Shetland Pony Display Team – big attitude in tiny packages
- Visit the Heavy Horse Village – gentle giants with serious pulling power
- Watch the Cattle Judging – the best of British livestock on parade
- See Sheep Judging – look for fleece, form … and farmyard rivalry
- Take in the Equine classes – from retired racehorses to long-legged yearlings
- See the Vintage Tractor Parade – engines, nostalgia and polish galore
- Watch the Steam Parade – the clanking, hissing heart of rural history
- Try dry stone walling – a hands-on go at a timeless skill
- Try thatching – see if you’ve got the knack!
- Watch the Gun Dog display – obedience, skill and an overload of wagging tails
- Cheer for Terrier Racing – total chaos at high speed
- Enter the Fun Dog Show – rosettes, wobbly sit-stays and waggy pride
- Watch Ferret Racing – pure mischief on crazily fast feet through drainpipes
- Watch The Sheep Show – so much more than a sheep lesson: see them dance!
- Make your own Bean Art – Take a moment to get creative
- Visit the Bees – can you spot the queen in the observation hive?
- Enjoy live music – great bands on two stages, all day
- Watch the Grand Parade – everyone’s favourite moment: watch the livestock champions take a lap of honour at 3.15pm
- Watch the Agricultural Demo – See the latest big machines up closein the Main Ring
- See the Dog & Duck Show – sheepdog vs ducks. WAY more noisy and chaotic than sheep
- Explore the Horticultural, Home & Craft entries – cakes, carrots and creative flair
- Enjoy the Art & Photography Exhibition – A quiet moment of calm to stop and appreciate
- Make a beeswax candle – drop in to the Bees & Honey tent
- Have a go at milling flour – old-school power, creating some fresh-ground grain
- Have a go at butter making – If you’ve always fancied it, now’s your chance!
- Explore Stone Carving – watch and try your hand at carving
- Meet the Goats (and pigs and calves…) – friendly faces in Fun Food & Farming
- Watch the Open Air Dairy milking demo – see cows are milked in the field
- Visit the rabbits – from tiny fluffy favourites to impressive giant breeds
- Visit the poultry and ducks – you never knew chickens could look like this
- Have a go at controlling a GPS wheelbarrow – discover just how precise modern farming has become
- Watch weaving – see traditional textile skills brought to life
- Try out the telehandler simulator – test your machine-handling skills without leaving the ground
- Tractor-shaped cookie decorating – a tasty activity that’s perfect for younger visitors
- Learn about grain & fodder – what keeps livestock healthy and farms productive?
- Try the Calving simulator – experience one of the most important jobs on a dairy farm
- Have a game of skittles – the classic West Country pub game
- Meet the beagles – say hello to friendly hounds
All included with your ticket. No hidden extras.
Book advance tickets online here – https://gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk/
