In the next three days up to 100,000 people will be headed for Exeter's Westpoint showground for one of the biggest events in Devon's annual calendar.

Devon is one of the greatest agricultural counties in England and the show was founded to celebrate that and make the public more aware of farming.

This year there are some big changes  - including a new Food Walk which means the County Show is home to the biggest Food Fair in Devon - with 112 food and drink stalls in total (even one sneaky Cornish pasty stall has found it's way in). The Show has the biggest selection of craft beer and cider anywhere in the country.

Other highlights include a weird and wonderful selection of 2,000 animals - from Devon's famous 'Ruby Reds' to alpacas, guinea pigs and bees. And there are also 1,000 equines - from giant heavy horses to cute little miniature ponies, and Devon's biggest dog show.

TV presenter and Queen of Crafts Kirstie Allsopp will be making a visit. She will be in the biggest tent at the show - the giant Garden and Craft pavilion which is as big as a football pitch. And there's all the traditions showjumping, Grand Parade of Livestock and Scurry Racing (fast-paced ponies race a carriage around a course of cones).

Show president Sir Harry Studholme said: "At the heart of the Show are the 2,000 exhibits in the incredible livestock competitions including the prestigious Devon Cattle Breeders Society's National Show.

"The Devon 'Ruby Reds' with their deep, rich, burnished red coat are internationally recognised as producing the very finest marbled beef.

"These are just one of the many breeds and different species at the Show from cows, sheep, goats and pigs to alpacas, cavies, birds and bees."

The 100th centenary of the Forestry Commission is also being celebrated at the Show.

It is 100 years since the first trees were planted in Devon's Eggesford Forest - so it was here in Devon that the process of reversing thousands of years of deforestation began. In the 100 years of the Forestry Commission England's forest cover has increased from four per cent to 10 per cent.

Can I still get tickets?

Tickets at advance sale prices can be purchased online here. On the show days you can still buy tickets online or at the gate. Advance tickets cost £19 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 5-15. Adult tickets cost £22 on the gate with child tickets costing £7.50 on Thursday and Friday. Under fives are free.

However on Saturday one adult can two children under 15 FREE of charge.

What do I get for the entry price?

 

Once inside the showground you don't need to spend another penny. All demonstrations, exhibitions and arena entertainment are free for all to enjoy. You may need to buy something to eat or drink, take a visit to the fairground or be tempted by all the shopping. Visitors are allowed to bring picnics.

What's on at this year's Devon County Show?

 

This year food and drink is one of the highlights of the show. A new Foodwalk can be accessed if you come in through the Green or White entrance. The show promises the best selection of craft beer and cider in the country.

 

Highlights in the Main Arena

Grania Phillips showing a cow at the Devon County Show
Grania Phillips showing a cow at the Devon County Show

In the Main Arena Every day there's a packed programme of entertainment.  Don't miss the amazing Bolddog Lings Motorbike Stunt Display Team, Shetland Pony Performance Team, Top Class Showjumping, Grand Parade of Livestock,  Meredown Falconry Display, Scurry Racing and more.  See the timetables for more information.

See if you can pick out the Show Champion

More than 12,000 are expected to attend Exeter Chiefs on the same day

At Devon County Show there are over 1,500 sheep, 500 cattle, 100 pigs, 150 goats and 75 alpacas in the livestock area with over 100 rare and minority breeds. 

Their owners are on hand to tell you more about their stock and you can watch to see who will become the Show Champion.

The biggest Food Fair in Devon

There are 112 food and drink stalls - with food to snack on, food to take home, food to try and cooks to watch making food. The Food and Drink Pavilion has 76 food stalls, there are 25 in the new Food Walk and 11 in the Taste of the West pavilion.

Foodies will not be disappointed.  Many of the food stands cater for vegetarians, vegans and gluten free diets.

The Food and Drink Pavilion has the best of the west and wander down the new Food Walk for something a bit different.

Enjoy the most mouthwatering food and drink the West Country has to offer at this year's Show.  With an incredible array of food to snack on, food to take home, food to try and food to watch, foodies will not be disappointed.  Many of the food stands cater for vegetarians, vegans, gluten free diets.  Visit the Food & Drink Pavilion for the best of the west and wander down the new Food Walk for something a bit different.  A full list of food and drink exhibitors can be found on the Tradestands page.

Meet Kirstie Allsopp in the Crafts and Gardens Pavilion

British TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp

Devon's Queen of Crafts Kirstie Allsopp is going to be at the show on Saturday May 18.

The TV presenter of Kirstie’s Homemade Home, which tracked the restoration of her home in north Devon, is a great supporter of traditional crafts. She will be in the giant craft and garden pavilion is bigger than a Premier League football pitch.

County Show Manager, Sam Mackenzie-Green said: "Kirstie has long been a champion of Devon’s rich crafting history and has visited the show previously. We’re delighted she’ll be helping us to celebrate the huge craft area, which this year is bigger than a football pitch and packed with the cream of crafting talent.

"The process of making something slowly, with your hands, is such a contrast to what many of us are now doing in our work. And in many ways Kirstie has been a pioneer of this resurgence, through her television shows and books about craft.

"She’s also been a particularly vocal champion of Devon’s incredible crafting heritage, so we are truly honoured to have her with us."

The pavilion has an array of craft stands, floral art competition, home baking competition, flower and gardening stands and the fantastic 1925 Kitchen Café, provided by St. Bridgets Nurseries.

A greenhouse made entirely from re-used plastic bottles and a garden built out of recycled materials will be the centre-piece of the Pavilion at Devon County Show this May.

The 6ft by 8ft greenhouse has been made by Devon County Show committee member and Crafts and Gardens Chief Steward and creative genius, Deborah Custance Baker.

The greenhouse and garden are part of a drive to inspire others to make use of their plastic waste and recycling in innovative ways, Deborah explained.

Award-winning Children's Farm

Children can get hands on in this special area dedicated to them. They can mill some flour and bake a bread roll, watch chicks hatch; enjoy the antics of the piglets; press apples and enjoy a glass of fresh apple juice; plant some seeds and take away the pots to see the plants grow at home or sit on a tractor.

Devon County Show

Heavy Horses, miniature Ponies and vintage tractors

 

From the magnificent heavy horses to the super cute Shetland ponies, Devon County Show plays host to over 1,000 equines over the three days.  Don't miss the top class Showjumping in the Main Arena, fast and furious scurry racing, inter hunt relay competition and shetland pony racing!  See the timetables for full details.

There are over 100 vintage tractors and steam engines dating back to the 1900s on display.

One of the biggest dog shows in the Westcountry

Welcoming over 600 dogs, 130 different breeds and a chance to qualify for Crufts, the dog show is a must see part of the day. 

Devon County Show

What time does it open?

Gates Open Thursday & Friday - 7.30am - 6.30pm 

Saturday 7.30am - 6.00pm

Tradestands Open from 9am every day

How to find the Showground

Address: Devon County Show is at Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ

By Car - the showground at Westpoint is just 1 mile from M5 Junction 30 on A352 - just follow the signs

By Bus - from Exeter, Sidmouth, Seaton, Honiton, Lyme Regis, Exmouth & Exeter Bus Station. Click here for timetables.

By Bike - there is free cycle parking at every entrance

Map of the Showground 2019

Map of the 2019 Showground