A taste of the Show!

NEW! FunForKidz

FunForKidz is a great hands-on feature for our younger visitors.

There are lots of hands-on activities ready for lively youngsters. They can plant seeds, bake bread, milk Daisy, weave willow wands, see chicks hatch, climb on Tractor Ted and pet Crealy's tame animals. Ready to entertain children are Crealy Great Adventure Parks, Creation Station, Fermoys Garden Centre and Tractor Ted.

NEW! Indulgence, fashion & lifestyle

Warwick Corporate Events is launching their new ‘Pure Indulgence' brand, sponsored by Exeter FM, with a pavilion packed with demonstrations, fashion shows and trade stands offering bespoke jewellery and the latest health and beauty products.

NEW! The beach comes to the Show!

Exmouth is the first town ever to exhibit at the Show, and it's bringing the beach along for visitors to enjoy!

From relaxing workshops to the famous Shanty Men, yoga to beach volleyball and wheelchair racing to watersports, Exmouth's packed timetable of beach activities at the Show includes something for everyone. Experience a tempting taste of what's on offer all year round on its two miles of golden sand just a short distance from here. Get inspired by Exmouth!

NEW! Thursday evening music at the bandstand

Enjoy a leisurely end to the first day of the Show and relax around the bandstand with a varied programme from local musicians and staged by BBC Radio Devon. The programme lasts from 10am to 8pm on Thursday and from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Non-stop Big Ring Entertainment

There's lots of entertainment in six rings around the showground, each with their own programme. We're still putting the finishing touches to our line-up but look out for Amanda Saville and her fast and exhilarating 'Chariots of Fire' display team. "People can expect a lot of speed, fire and fun!" says Amanda.

The Lady Clinton Ring hosts lots of equestrian entertainment including displays with magnificent heavy horses and our own native ponies – the Dartmoor and Exmoor – don't miss Tennessee horse whisperer Mike Branch.

And lots of entertainment in the avenues

Titan the Robot and Jonty Depp (as Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean and The Mad Hatter) are back in the avenues to entertain visitors as they wander around the showground.

HM Band of the Royal Marines on Thursday and Friday and The Massed Pipes & Drums of Devon & Cornwall marching in the Sainsbury's Ring and the avenues on Saturday.

Best of British Livestock

The animal action centres in and around the NatWest Livestock Arena where the cream of the country's cattle rest in the hall between competitive classes in straw-lined stalls.

One of the Show's highlights is the magnificent Grand Parade of Livestock in the Sainsbury's Ring on Friday and Saturday. The Supreme Beef Champion and the Supreme Dairy Champion lead out the prize-winning animals.

The Sheep Show

Visiting again is New Zealander Richard Savory with his Sheep Show.

Meet Nobby the Norfolk Horn, Sam the Suffolk, Martha the Mule, Belinda the Blue-faced Leicester and the rest of the woolly stars.

As each of the nine breeds of sheep are introduced to the audience, they learn about its attributes and how wool from the sheep's back becomes a jumper to wear.

Don't miss the famous 'Sheep Show Shuffle' and the fascinating live shearing demonstration.

Spring Sausage Competition

On Friday judges will select the most tempting and delicious sausage in the competition.

Dairy and Angora Goats

Find out more about these friendly and useful animals and speak to the stewards and exhibitors. While dairy goats are kept for their milk, angora goats are famous for their mohair fleeces.

Alpacas

Alpacas originate from South America and are kept in this country for their wool. There are two types - huacayas, which look more like sheep, and suris, which have dreadlocks. (Picture: Xanthe Mosley)

Donkeys

Donkeys have a special place in the hearts of their owners who enter them in competitive classes spanning best condition and turnout through to long-reigning and best young handler.

Country Life Area

Hunting, shooting and fishing are all well represented with trade stands, demonstrations and events and reflect the growing popularity of rural pursuits.

There is a packed programme of falconry, gun dogs, fly fishing, ferrets, terrier racing and demonstrations from axe racing and stick making as well as many other country crafts. Also, there is as clay pigeon shoot, and a rugged 4x4 course.

Devon YFC

The Young Farmers' marquee bursts with activity generated by young members aged 10-26 with a wealth of new experiences and opportunities.

Flower & Garden Show

The marquee is a-bloom with competitions and exhibitors and takes in gardening as well as flower arranging. Experts on a gardening road show are on hand to solve gardening problems.

Food & Drink

Great food bursting with taste and goodness served with a side order of affordability and accessibility is on the menu in the fabulous food and drink marquee.The cookery demonstration theatre in the marquee will provide tips for menu planning and about buying local and seasonal produce.

Thanks to more Westcountry food and drink producers than ever before promoting their affordable and tempting produce, there is plenty of inspiration.

Meanwhile, The Contented Cow real ale and cider venue offers thirsty visitors plenty of refreshment.

Fur & Feather

Poultry produce wonderful eggs for the breakfast table and they are also hugely ornamental and entertaining in the garden. Hens, ducks, geese and turkeys come in many shapes and sizes and visitors can learn all about them at this popular feature.

Gently cooing pigeons, cuddly guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and chinchillas are all competing for coveted red rosettes. There are plenty of enthusiasts on hand to give advice about caring, grooming and feeding.

Horses & Show Jumping

Competitive show jumping classes attract some of the country's top equestrians. There is also scurry driving, private driving and the Concourse D'elegance, which looks for the most elegant turnout of horses and carriages.

A full range of heavy horse classes is taking place and at the other end of the size spectrum there are local rare breeds such as the Exmoor and the Dartmoor ponies, too.

Dog Show

Dog lovers and prospective owners get the chance to get up close and personal with lots of different breeds and get expert guidance from owners and handlers who will help them to find a perfect match.

Sheep Shearing

The English sheep shearing circuit starts at the Show and competitions are part of a celebration of the traditions and skills of the industry. It only takes highly skilled competitors a minute to shear a sheep!

Shoeing & Metalwork

To see some of the county's most talented blacksmiths and metalworkers visit the metalwork forge and discover the difference between the two crafts - blacksmiths usually work with hot 'black' metals (such as iron and steel) and metalworkers manipulate tin, copper and silver.

Farriers are also demonstrating their skills as they compete to win a clutch of top regional awards.

Great trade stands

Canny shoppers enjoy browsing in this giant, open-air shopping centre which brings together exhibitors who can only be found together during the three days of Show.

Look out for 'Show specials', which offer reductions on the usual retail price. There's a huge selection of goods on offer spanning clothing, homes and gardens, cars and crafts.

Steam Engines, Vintage Machines, Cars, Steam Exhibits

Enjoy a nostalgic look-back into yesteryear when there were few cars on the roads and steam power was in its heyday.

Take a trip down memory lane and discover the fascination of the age of steam and the continuing allure of vintage vehicles. Other highlights include old tractors of and scale engines.

Woodland Area

Look out for willow sculptures, tree nurseries, cob block making and woodland management with an opportunity to test your skills identifying samples from the specially planted four-hectare plantation at Westpoint.

An information centre is housed in the log cabin style Wadsworth Pavilion and there's a full programme of demonstrations and exhibitions. Woodland experts are on hand to advise land owners about management techniques and diversification.

Devon Home Crafts

Handicraft is enjoying a revival of interest and popularity as more and more people take up knitting or sewing for the first time to make items for themselves and their family and friends.

Admire intricate lace, colourful patchwork quilts and the work of weavers, spinners and dyers and feel the enthusiasm and dedication of the people who ensure time-honoured skills are enjoyed and flourish as much as ever.