Royal Three Counties Show 2025 welcomes 90k visitors
25th June 2025
Agricultural experts, the farming community, and rural enthusiasts from across the UK were among the 90,000 people taking part in the Royal Three Counties Show 2025.
The show included over 1,500 competitions and welcomed no less than 10 Breed Society National Shows.
The Machinery Mile was extended by a number of new exhibitors bringing their latest bits of kit, including Kaleb Cooper Contracting with his agricultural fleet. There also was a mini careers fair which was demonstrating the breadth of opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, and the rural sector.
The show has always had young farmers at its heart and this year created a raft of opportunities for families and young people working in land-based businesses to take part. Young Farmers from across the three counties and beyond battled it out to see which county came out on top by competing at a tug-of-war, the theme this year being the West End musicals, with the Lord Lieutenant Cup for 2025 being won by Herefordshire.
The National Farmers’ Union Tent was another hub for farming discussions, with president Tom Bradshaw talking to members on Friday. Members of Young Farmers’ Clubs were made welcome with their own village, where they held activities and competitions, such as the Tug-of-War, plus the offer of discounted tickets.
Livestock extravaganza
The three-day event is one of the UK’s largest livestock extravaganzas, with no fewer than 900 classes across 25 judging rings and a prize fund of £125,000 provided by The Three Counties Agricultural Society.
Industry experts from across the UK were among the guest speakers at the event’s Future of Farming Theatre, sponsored by Virgin Money and Lightsource bp, to guide, inspire, and challenge those at the sharp end of agriculture. Building soil health, finding funding and income sources, making the most of innovation, and tackling succession planning and inheritance tax are just some of the issues affecting the farming and horticulture industries that came under the spotlight at the Royal Three Counties Show.
The dedicated forum offered help and advice for growing and improving land-based businesses, including discussions over making the most of assets and finding alternative incomes and support in the current financial climate, ample opportunities for asking questions and networking too, and a new rural careers fair taking place on the Saturday.
Each day was rounded off with the grand parade of livestock in the main arena, with the Three Counties Agricultural Society president, Richard, the Rt. Rvd Bishop of Hereford, selecting a Hereford heifer and calf as Best in Show at Sunday’s grand parade and a Limousine heifer bred by Mr Thor Atkinson taking the enviable title of Champion of Champions.
‘Helping farmers deal with emerging and changing issues’
One of the Three Counties Agricultural Society’s chief aims is to support farmers and the rural community by raising awareness of the importance of British agriculture, providing professional development opportunities, and hosting social events to bring people together.
These included the CLA Big Breakfast on the Friday, Farmers Club and RASE events, and the Stockman’s Dinner on Saturday evening, which focused not only on thanking livestock exhibitors for their show contribution but also held important fundraising initiatives for the rebuild of the Stockman’s Café, due to take place in autumn.
Alice Arnold, Royal Three Counties Show organiser, said: “Over the past five years, the Three Counties Agricultural Society has invested in innovating and delivering an outstanding livestock show in the national farming calendar. With bumper entries and more young farmers than ever, we are excited for 2026 and our next phase of growth.
“We know how challenging life can be for farmers, and we work hard to find experts who can help them deal with the emerging and changing issues facing them.”
READ MORE: Future of farming discussed at Royal Three Counties Show
Find more show and events here.
