Creatures great and small will be appearing at Dorset’s County Show, many of them for the first time.
Even more exciting news, you can enjoy more for less at the Dorset County Show, which takes place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September. As well as a host of new attractions, tickets are at an early bird special rate of £17, a saving of £6 on the gate. But you need to hurry as this deal ends at midnight on Thursday 1st June!
The Heavy Horse Village welcomes the ancient art of heavy horse logging as well as stunning Shire horses (click image to enlarge)
This year, the gentle giants of the horse world have their own Heavy Horse Village. Visitors will be treated to demonstrations of the ancient art of heavy horse logging. Dorset’s Toby Hoad is one of only 12 heavy horse loggers in the country. See close-up the skill as man and horses work in unison, as they did over 10,000 years ago.
At the other end of the equine size scale and for the first time at the County Show – you can enjoy Shetland pony racing as these pocket-rocket ponies are put through their paces. Scurry racing is the art of carriage driving at break-neck speed – watch these daredevils as they dash around the main arena!
From four-legged horsepower to mechanised hp, the world’s largest monster trucks are revving into the County Show. Stand by for an impressive 7.5 tonnes of Big Pete and his sidekick The Grim Reaper as they roar into the showground, crushing cars and creating mechanical mayhem. You will hear them before you see them!
The Country’s finest Livestock will also be on Show, competing to be crowned the Champion of the County Show. See rare breed cattle, pigs, goats and sheep – over 1000 sheep entries alone! And you will be amazed at the speed of the competition Sheep Shearers who make the woolly work look so easy!
Dorset Axemen bring cutting edge excitement to this year’s Dorset County Show (click image to enlarge)
A beautiful woodland area welcomes the county’s famous Dorset Axemen who will be demonstrating the physical power of the forester, woodman and timber cutter before modern machinery came along. Their amazing display features speed, accuracy chopping and crosscut sawing with razor sharp axes and saws.
With a renewed interest in heritage crafts, a walk down the new Crafter’s Avenue is must-see. Here you can watch some of Dorset’s finest craftspeople in action – basket weaving, spinning, whittling and much more.
With a county boasting some incredible local producers, there’s a foodie paradise, showcasing great British food and drink treats. In the new Food and Drink Area, you can sample an array of tasty delights, buy whatever suits your fancy to take home or enjoy mouth-watering foods picnic-style under the bright festival flags. If your appetite is still unabated, you can munch your way through not one but two Food Halls, a second one introduced recently following demand from food and drink exhibitors keen to be at the show.
James Cox, Show Organiser said “This year, our adaptions ensure we showcase Agriculture, Countryside, Rural Life and the incredible Food, Drink and Crafts produced within it. The County Show will put the consumer in contact with the producer while celebrating everything rural Dorset has to offer. We will bring together Dorset – from the coast to the country and the towns all across – in a giant end-of-harvest celebration.
“At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many, the new ticketing options provide value for money for all visitors with the bonus that children go free. It A total of 10.5 hours of entertainment – value like that is incredible.”
Book via the new and easy-to-use Dorset County Show website www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
All creatures great and small – come and say hello at this year’s Dorset County Show
Heavy Horse Logging, a new attraction for 2023