The South of England Show returned to Ardingly, West Sussex, last week, placing farming, livestock, land management and the future of the rural economy at the heart of its 58th year.
Held from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 2026 at the South of England Showground, the three-day event attracted tens of thousands of visitors and brought together livestock breeders, farmers, land-based educators, rural professionals, producers and countryside organisations from across the region.
Livestock remained one of the show’s strongest agricultural draws, with an increase this year to more than 450 competitive classes across cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and over 1,000 entries. Alongside the judging rings, visitors were able to learn more about breed characteristics, farm practice, cuts of beef and livestock markets through demonstrations and mock auctions led by industry professionals.
The Livestock Parade once again provided one of the show’s key agricultural highlights, recognising excellence across a wide range of classes.
Livestock Championship Results – 2026:
- Supreme Sheep Champion – Mr & Mrs Hasemore – Aged Suffolk Ewe
- Supreme Pig Champion – Emily Paddock – Lewin Lady 6 – Saddleback Sow
- Dairy Goat Champion – Nick Parr
- Supreme Dairy Champion – David Heasman – Pylon Bruno Crusader – Ayrshire
- Supreme Beef Champion – Thor Atkinson – Goldstar Ulysses – Charolais
- Beef Male Champion – Thor Atkinson – Goldstar Ulysses – Charolais
- Beef Female Champion – Thor Atkinson – Goldstar Une Star – Charolais
New for 2026, the Living Land Theatre added a dedicated agricultural discussion platform to the show, focusing on some of the most pressing issues facing farmers, landowners and rural businesses in the south-east.
With Principal Sponsors Virgin Money and Plumpton College, the theatre programme explored topics including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, succession planning, diversification, skills and careers in agriculture, water resilience, environmental pressures and the future of profitable, sustainable farm businesses.
Speakers included Robyn Munt, Vice President of the National Farmers Union; Mims Davies MP for East Grinstead & Uckfield; Martin Lines, CEO of Nature Friendly Farming Network; Kirstie Speed, Farm and Environment Consultant; and Holly Shearman, Head of Livestock and Farm of the Future Programme at Innovation for Agriculture and the Royal Agricultural Society of England.
As part of the programme, the South of England Agricultural Society Technical Forum, ‘Smarter Decisions, Stronger Margins’, examined what it takes to run a high-performing farm business in the current climate. Hosted by Mark Campbell of AHDB and one of the Technical Forum’s organisers, the session with Olly ‘Blogs’ Harrison, Natalie Gaibani of Strutt & Parker and Society 2026 President Charles Burgoyne considered how successful farm businesses are those that are focusing less on simply being busy and more on being purposeful, strategic and commercially minded.
Also new for 2026 was the Stockman’s Marquee, providing catering throughout the show and a place for exhibitors to come together and relax after a busy show day, with the Stockman’s dinner taking place as usual, with fun and dancing on the Saturday evening.
On the Friday of the show, in the CLA marquee, the Duke of Norfolk gave a keynote speech and awards were presented to recognise the achievements of individuals, communities and businesses in rural Sussex.
The show also highlighted the importance of agricultural education and career pathways, with land-based colleges including Plumpton and Brinsbury taking part in the Discover the Countryside area.
Equestrian competition continued to be a major part of the show, with top-level showjumping across all three days, the inter-hunt relay, scurry driving and qualifying classes for the London International Horse Show. The Heavy Horse Village also returned for 2026, alongside the Hackney Horse competition, the Shetland Pony Grand National and the Horse Shoeing Competition.
Other rural highlights included the South of England Hound Show, gundog and fishing demonstrations, vintage tractors and machinery from the South Eastern Vintage Agricultural Club, chainsaw carving, the Story of Wool, traditional crafts including hedge-laying, stick-making and spinning, and demonstrations designed to help visitors better understand rural life and countryside skills.
The Society also welcomed the East Sussex Farmers’ Benevolent Fund as its Charity of the Year. Founded in 1935 by a local farmer, the fund provides financial support to farmers, their dependents and people working across the wider land-based industries.
Friday saw John Hall receive the 2026 Award of Honour for West Sussex, in recognition of his lifetime dedication to horticulture in the county and beyond, and his leadership within the industry. For 50 years, John has tirelessly promoted the horticulture sector to the benefit of all growers. Further awards for long service to the Society and wider sector were also bestowed during the show.
Commenting on the 2026 show, Corrie Ince, Show Director for the South of England Agricultural Society, said:
“The South of England Show has always had agriculture at its heart, and this year was no exception. From the quality of livestock in the show rings to the conversations taking place in the Living Land Theatre, the event gave farmers, rural professionals and the wider public an opportunity to come together, share knowledge and celebrate the importance of farming to our region.
“At a time when the industry is facing significant change, from environmental pressures and skills shortages to succession and farm business resilience, shows like this play an important role in championing the sector and helping more people understand the realities, opportunities and value of modern agriculture.”
The wider show programme also included food and drink, artisan produce, the Grape & Grain Walk, Gin Alley, garden design displays, the Bees & Honey Marquee, children’s countryside activities and family entertainment.
NFU Vice President Robyn Munt added:
“Shows like this are a brilliant opportunity to bring farmers together to discuss key challenges and issues facing the industry and to look at how we can work together to find solutions.
“Our member engagement at the show has been excellent. We have had constructive discussions with MPs and other stakeholders on issues including planning, devolution, farm safety, rural crime, recruitment and how we can encourage more young people to come into farming. I have also been very impressed by the number of livestock entries and the wide range of ages of people who have been exhibiting.”
CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford added:
“The CLA is proud to have been part of the South of England Show once again, as it so important to the rural community. The countryside faces many challenges, and it was a pleasure to come together and champion how dynamic and resilient the industry is.”
The Society’s next event, the Autumn Show & Horse Trials, takes place at the South of England Showground on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2026. The two-day event will feature the 50th-anniversary South of England International Horse Trials, with equestrian competition across dressage, showjumping and cross-country, alongside countryside activities, dog displays, harvest celebrations, farm animals, traditional rural skills, food, drink and shopping.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.seas.org.uk.