The Royal Cornwall Show is the county’s largest annual event. It attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the UK and lasts 3 days (Thursday to Saturday.) Somehow, Woody, Hen and I had never been to the show before, so we decided to attend this year. Today I thought I’d share with you our experience from the first day at the Royal Cornwall Show!
The Royal Cornwall Show takes place in June and is held at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge. The show is dog friendly throughout, so long as they’re kept under control and on non-retractable leads. There are some restrictions, such as the rabbits, bird and small furry animal tents, which are completely understandable. There’s still so much to explore and experience at the show, we definitely didn’t feel like we were missing out!
There is plenty to see and do at the Royal Cornwall Show, the showground is huge and we spent the majority of the day getting lost. You can purchase event programmes and maps from the main ticket desk, as well as at kiosks throughout the showground. However, you can’t beat the feeling of stumbling on a stall after searching for it for hours now can you?! Just remember to take note of which entrance you’re parked at, otherwise you’ll be searching for hours for your car!
The vintage steam fairground is definitely not one to miss. The fairground instantly takes you back in time, with its bold colours, traction engines, traditional rides and music. I can imagine the fairground would have been especially impressive back when the Royal Cornwall Show first opened over 200 years ago.
There’s plenty to see and do throughout the three day event. We watched show jumping in the main arena over lunch before heading of to explore more of the agricultural show. Cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are among the livestock competing for ‘Best in Show.’ There’s host of animals on display from across the UK, including a variety of rare breeds. Many of the shows take place outside, which means your dogs are more than welcome to watch. Just make sure they don’t disturb the proceedings of the show.
Displays don’t just take place in the main arena. Sometimes, you’ll have to look up to the sky! We loved watching the parachute display, performed by the RAF. Think the Red Arrows meets James Bond and you’re not far off! The formations and timing were incredible and the parachutists even released dye behind them.
There were plenty of dog stalls around the dog show area, including our friends at Hawksland Canine Hydrotheraphy who are based in Wadebridge. It was lovely learning more about the services they offer to dogs across Cornwall. I’ve not experienced hydrotherapy for dogs myself before and I was amazed by just how many problems it can help solve!
We also headed over to the RNLI stand, a charity I’m very passionate about. Living so close to the sea, the RNLI area vital part of the community here in Cornwall. I regularly see and hear them out on shouts when we’re out walking. Each year, they launch a campaign to raise awareness about walking dogs near the coast and what to do if they get into difficulty. At the Royal Cornwall Show stand they were taking photographs, on the hunt for their new ambassadog for 2019.
There was just enough time to pop by the food stalls before heading home. Woody immediately loved the Riverford stand, something tells me the endless supply of organic carrots may have had something to do with it! Hen loved the stall equally as much, mostly due to all the cuddles he received from the staff!
I popped by Cornish Orchards to pick up some of my favourite apple juice. You’ll find all of Cornwall’s best-loved brands in the food hall. Rodda’s, Trewithen Dairy, Baker Tom’s and Kernow Chocolate were all exhibiting, with plenty of tasters and samples on offer. I could have spent all day (and a small fortune) there, pretty much every type of food was available!
Have you visited the Royal Cornwall Show before? What did you enjoy most?
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