The South of England Agricultural Society is excited to announce that its annual Spring Live! event will be taking place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April 2026. The popular, two-day celebration of the arrival of the new season will be held from 9am to 5pm each day at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, offering visitors a country show packed with activities, entertainment and experiences for all ages.
New for Spring Live! 2026 is the inclusion of a headline act with the RPM Biketrials Display, bringing adrenaline-packed excitement with four performances each day showcasing some of the amazing stunts that can be done with pedal power. There is more adrenaline fuelled fun for car enthusiasts, catered for courtesy of the Sporting Bears, a group of dedicated classic and sports car owners who will be offering rides in a range of vehicles to help raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity. And the whole family will enjoy the thrill of watching lawnmower racing as teams battle for a spot on the podium with the British Lawnmower Racing Association competitions.
A staple of Spring Live! is the animal barn, where visitors can get up close to an exciting array of animals, including Sussex cattle, Hampshire Down Sheep, Tamworth Pigs, and meet their owners. Other popular attractions include the Pygmy Goat Show, the South of England Alpaca Show, a visit by the famous Watermill Wolves, as seen in Dracula and Bear Grylls, and handling reptiles and amphibians with the Hampshire Reptile Trust.
Younger visitors can hone their creative talents at the circus skills workshop, learn to craft a wooden wand, and indulge their sweet tooth at the Chocolate Workshop. They can also get behind the wheel of a Mini Monster Mania truck, go on rides at the fairground, enjoy a donkey ride, or watch the fun and games at The Sheep Show. At the South of England Agricultural Society’s Countryside Hub, they can also take part in the Fluffy Duck Trail and have a go at milking the society’s model cow, Clover.
Visitors will also have the chance to try a wide range of outdoor pursuits, including archery, axe throwing and learning new bushcraft skills with the Linden Outdoorsman, including fire lighting and making tools using natural resources. Guests can also marvel at the kite flying display in the main ring or watch the wood carver at work.
For our canine friends, the Quad Squad Agility Club will be putting their dogs through their paces on the agility course. Paws in the Park are hosting a dogstacle have-a-go area, while Sunday’s fun dog show will be judging the Best in Show.
No Spring Live! event would be complete without the horticulture area, where visitors can chat to and see the work of the National Vegetable Society and appreciate the historic vintage machinery. They can also hear about the history of lavender growing in the UK and admire the flower arranging competition entries.
Meanwhile, shopping enthusiasts can browse artisan food, crafts and gifts direct from local producers and independent makers, including the new Enterprise Zone for new businesses local to the Showground. They can also pick up plants to brighten up their own gardens, and when it’s time to refuel, there is an extensive selection of street food on offer, or they can take a picnic and sit back to enjoy the live atmosphere from one of the many green spaces.
Corrie Ince, Show Director at the South of England Agricultural Society, commented:
“Spring Live! is a fantastic event for families and friends to come together outside after the long winter months and experience a great day out packed with countryside fun. With so many interactive activities to try, animals to meet, and entertainment to enjoy, there’s truly something for everyone, including canine companions, to make this a memorable weekend.”
Day tickets for Spring Live! 2026 are available at www.seas.org.uk and cost £14.40 for adults and £12.60 for seniors and students (inclusive of a discount if booked before midnight on 10.04.26). Children under 16 go free, though a suggested donation of £2 per child is encouraged. Dogs are welcome but will not be permitted in indoor areas.