Celebrate great British agriculture, entertainment, food and drink at the Royal Bath & West Show 2019

Great British Life: The Royal Bath & West Show (c) A Gorman PhotographyThe Royal Bath & West Show (c) A Gorman Photography (Image: A Gorman Photography)

The Royal Bath & West Show is a major event, with a history stretching back to 1777 and the formation of the Royal Bath & West of England Society. Competitors from across the country descend on the 242 acre site, along with producers, exhibitors and entertainers - including this year, Somerset institution, The Wurzels.

A show mainstay, the livestock competitions take place every day, with the cream of the crop selected to take part in the impressive main ring parade. The show is a mecca for equine competition, following the creation of a £120,000 equine area two years ago, complete with woodland horse walks, parking and dedicated show rings. Highlights this year include a new section for traditional gypsy cobs, as well as a new stallion class in the riding pony breeding classes.

Great British Life: Adam Henson is at the Royal Bath & West Show (c) Stuart KeyAdam Henson is at the Royal Bath & West Show (c) Stuart Key (Image: Copyright: Stuart Key)

Television presenter Adam Henson will be visiting the show on the Thursday, where one of his visits will be to the Young Farmers' Club marquee where Somerset is celebrating its 85th anniversary.

"Farming is my passion and true love…my dad and I used to take animals to compete at the Bath & West show, so I've been going since a boy," he says.

Food lovers will gravitate to the British Cider Championships and the British Cheese Awards, both attracting hundreds of entries from the best producers in the country. Another strong section is the bees and honey classes, which include hive displays and viewing galleries. The floral art tent will feature displays around the theme of This Precious Planet. Other classes include Kitchen Gardens, Flowerless Beauty and Earth's Riches. Competitors can also enter the new Pop-Up Garden category, which brings a mini-Chelsea Flower Show feel to the event.

Head of shows Alan Lyons says: "As England's only Royal four-day show, we feel it's important to showcase everything that our county has to offer. There really is something for everyone."

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Rupert Cox on the Royal Bath & West Show…

It is hard to believe that I have now been with The Royal Bath & West Society for over four and a half years. In that time we have made great strides in driving the organisation onward and upward to continually improve our iconic Royal Bath & West Show, increase activity on the showground throughout the year and, most importantly, deliver the charitable objectives of the society with even more vigour.

We are now looking forward to the 2019 Show with great excitement tinged with a snippet of trepidation.

"Come and celebrate great British agriculture and enjoy entertainment, food and drink at the Royal Bath & West Show 2019" is our message to Somerset residents. Taking place at the Bath & West Showground from 29 May to 1 June; the show offers an array of attractions for all the family to enjoy and in so doing we hope we are #makingmemories that will last a lifetime.

Keeping the little ones entertained is always a challenge for the long-suffering partners or grandparents. So, with hands-on demonstrations including mozzarella and butter making, milk tasting and apple juice making, while also making new friends by getting up close with the pigs, sheep and cattle or meeting everyone's favourite little green tractor, Tractor Ted, there will be plenty to entertain and amuse.

Jumping into the main ring with their daredevil stunts is this year's big attraction, the Extreme Bike Battle. The impressive team will be pushing boundaries twice daily at this year's show - not something that I would want to try, but I will be more than happy to marvel at their exploits with both feet firmly on the ground. The Dorset Axemen will once again perform numerous acts with axes and razor-sharp saws, whilst our old friends, the Ambling Band, will bring madness, colour and fun!

This year we will be joined in the Pilton Tent by the ultimate Take That tribute band, Rule the World, on Wednesday evening, while over in the sheep shearing pavilion, legends of the West Country, The Wurzels, will be performing at the show for the first time in eight years on Saturday afternoon. Our good friends Adam Henson and Michael Eavis will be making an appearance on Thursday and Friday respectively. Over 125 producers of the finest food and drink in Britain will offer plenty to please your palate and as the home of the British Cheese Awards and the British Cider Championships, it wouldn't be right to visit the show without sampling some local Somerset cider or cheese. If shopping is your thing then our 600 plus traders offer an unrivalled shopping experience.

At each day of the show we offer over 50 hours' of entertainment, so you'll be sure to find something of interest.

Adult tickets are now on sale at just £22 (rising to £25 at the gate), and for the first time all children under 15 years going free. Head to bathandwest.com to buy yours and I look forward to seeing you with us. If you spot me around the Showground, don't be shy; come over and say 'hi'.

Tickets for the Bath & West are available at bathandwest.com.

For more from Rupert Cox, follow him on Twitter! @rupert_rbw