A day at an agricultural show can quickly become an expensive family outing – but at Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show, there’s an impressive amount included once you’re through the gate.
If you’re heading to Frome Show with children on Saturday 12th September, there’s one useful thing to know before you start negotiating the inevitable requests for treats: a surprisingly large chunk of the entertainment won’t cost you another penny.
The Little Show-Goers Play Zone is entirely free, with enough going on to occupy younger visitors for a substantial part of the day. They can have their faces painted, decorate their own pottery, create colourful sand art, tackle mini crazy golf, learn some circus skills or simply get busy in the sand pit.
There’s live entertainment too. Junk Jodie combines puppets, storytelling, songs and dancing with some clever ideas about reusing and recycling, while Van Buren brings magic and illusion to the Show.
And the free activities certainly aren’t restricted to small children.
Head across to the Countryside Pursuits Area and the whole family can have a go at activities that would usually come with a price tag of their own. There’s a climbing wall, fly fishing, Clayzer laser clay pigeon shooting, a dog scurry and even axe throwing – all included with admission.
And that’s before the Show even starts…
Away from the have-a-go activities, your entry ticket includes a full day’s programme of entertainment around the showground.
Paul Hannam’s ATV Stunt Show brings some serious adrenaline, with precision riding, quad-bike tricks and spectacular stunts. Meanwhile, roaming the showground will be the rather extraordinary Belladonna and her Venus Flytraps. The beautiful-but-deadly gardener and her hungry plants will be looking for brave volunteers – and Aristotle the batty bluebottle may need some assistance escaping their clutches.
Then, of course, there’s everything that makes Frome an agricultural show in the first place – livestock, horses, competitions and the chance to get close to the farming and rural traditions at the heart of the event.
And we haven’t even mentioned the cheese.
The Global Cheese Awards bring cheesemakers and champion cheeses from across the world to Frome. Visitors can explore the Cheese Pavilion, meet producers, sample and buy cheeses, visit the Cheese Café and stay for the famous Cheese Auction, with the chance to take home some of the winning entries.
For families watching the cost of a day out, though, it’s the sheer amount included in the admission price that stands out. You could arrive when the gates open with a very full itinerary – and not spend another penny on entertainment all day.
Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show takes place at West Woodlands Showground on Saturday 12th September 2026. Advance discounted ticket prices end on 31st August: get yours from fromecheeseshow.co.uk
