Royal Cornwall Show

Event Update

The 2024 edition of the Royal Cornwall Show will be hosted between the dates 06.06.2024 and 08.06.2024. The event will once again take place at the Royal Cornwall Showground as a face-to-face county show. Due to the UK removing its domestic restrictions during the previous months, the venue will not incorporate rigorous Covid-19 safety precautions. Similarly, the country currently does not have travel limitations in place. 

A Brief Overview of Royal Cornwall Show 

The Royal Cornwall Show is among the oldest agricultural shows in the United Kingdom and has positioned itself as the primary hub for animal competitions and judging. The agriculture show is also a valuable community event that supports the local Cornish economy and creates an active and exciting atmosphere for a true festival where everyone is welcome to enjoy local food, fresh produce, homemade honey, rural crafts, antiques, floristry and agricultural machinery. 

The show grounds at Wadebridge, Cornwall become crowded fast as thousands upon thousands make the trip to the Royal Cornwall Show and this also extends to hotels and guest houses in town. Rather than have to compete with so many visitors and exhibitors, leave the stressful planning of your hotel stay to GETA ltd. We set you up with the ideal hotel booking for the Royal Cornwall Show in a matter of hours. You enjoy a convenient location, favourable price and quality. 

Plan your entire business trip on the same day. We regularly work with large groups of over twenty people. Plus, you can take advantage of our other travel services like stand construction and rent-a-car. 

Why Your Visit Is Worth It 

If you want to establish yourself as part of the Cornish rural economy, you have a single option – get yourself a trade stand at the Royal Cornwall Show. Many local businesses book their stand in advance, because they know that the three days at the show bring them visibility, credibility and a significant increase in direct sales. This is why: 

• 1000 exhibitor trade stands;
• 120,000+ visitors attend the event in total;
• Nearly 200 years of history; 

Industry Relevance 

The Royal Cornwall Show has been a fixture of life in Cornwall since 1827 and though it has been travelling around the county for a big portion of its early history, the show settled in Wadebridge in 1960. This marks the period of continued growth and popularity of the agriculture show with local farmers and communities and now visitors from all over the UK. 

The Royal Cornwall Show arrives every year at the showgrounds outside Wadebridge and reveals the full spectrum of rural life through what’s on offer. Animal competitions are still the main pillar of the show (poultry and caged birds, pigeons, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, rare breeds, rabbits and bees), but there’s so much more in terms of fresh produce, local cuisine, beers and ciders, rural crafts, agricultural machinery and vehicles, and a whole flower marquee. 

Who Are You Going to Meet? 

The Royal Cornwall Show represents the entire breadth of the rural economy. This would be your dog trainers, animal breeders, farmers, beekeepers, growers, nurseries, artisans and artists. It should also be said that the agriculture show promotes agricultural education so it’s a common sight to see students from Young Farmer Clubs. The audience extends to those professionally involved in agriculture and farming, who are looking to buy equipment, tools and machinery as well as win medals at some of the competitions. The biggest majority goes to locals, mostly families with kids, who want to spend some quality time together and shop. 

Additional Value of Attending 

The Duke of Cornwall’s Award is a prestigious prize recognizing innovation and diversification within the agricultural industry. The competition is open to farms based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that have developed successful diversification enterprises alongside their core agricultural activities. The winner of the award in 2023 will receive a signed certificate and a £1,000 prize provided by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Cornwall. 

First introduced in 2007, the Duke of Cornwall's Award aims to encourage and celebrate successful farm-based diversification businesses. Over the years, a diverse range of enterprises have been recognized, including a thatcher, bakery, sewing enterprise, farm-based education service, cheese producer, manufacturer, and an event venue. 

This year, the award is seeking public nominations for farm-based diversification businesses that could be potential winners. The competition offers a cash prize of £1,000 to the winner, along with recognition for their innovative and successful business practices. 

As one of the biggest agricultural shows in the UK, the Royal Cornwall Show embodies the entire spirit of rural life and empowers everyone to show off their skills and areas of expertise. If you have a competitive nature, then you’re in luck because there are so many different competitions in each thematic section. The always popular Bees & Honey Section, which showcases the art of beekeeping, is never empty. The marquee is packed with trade stands and competitive classes for honey and honey/beeswax products. The general public can also observe how a bee colony works together in a live hive with a transparent wall. 

The Flower Show is another popular section that boasts a reputation for being one of the country's best. The show attracts trade exhibitors from far and wide who compete with each other to mount the finest displays. The result is a colourful and surprising display of innovative designs and ideas. The show theatre also puts on a daily program of talks and demonstrations, making it a must-see for flower enthusiasts. 

For those interested in the sheep industry, the Sheep Shearing Section is a fascinating display of sheep shearing and wool production. Skilled practitioners showcase their talents, providing visitors with an educational experience on the process. The new purpose-built sheep shearing building was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall during the 2010 show, and it now provides a top-quality facility for competitions. 

The Royal Cornwall Show offers visitors the opportunity to experience the rich agricultural heritage of Cornwall. With a range of sections and competitions, there is something for everyone. The programme is just too varied to mention everything in detail, but you can partake in the many animal competitions – sheep, cattle, pig, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigeons, cage birds, dogs, horses and showjumping. Every day is filled with excitement. If you’re more interested in human skills, then check out the cider competition and the thrilling blacksmith competition.