Farming & Land-Based Industries
The South of England Show is a cornerstone of the agricultural calendar – alongside the livestock competition the show is a meeting point for farmers, breeders, landowners and rural businesses across the South East.
New for 2026 is a Living Land Theatre which will address key issues facing farmers and land managers including a panel discussion on Saturday 6th June and there will be a new Stockman’s Marquee for catering. The popular ringside Farmers’ Marquee and CLA Marquee are returning, so there are plenty of opportunities for those in land based industries to meet with each other and the general public.
Competing
We have over 450 livestock classes including the National Dexter Show featuring 19. New sheep classes include Coloured Ryeland and Beltex breeds, Aged Ewe classes in Zwartbles, Suffolks, Pure Continental, and Any Other British Down/Shortwool.
Cattle exhibitors will receive £30 appearance per adult head of cattle brought forward. Appearance for National Dexter Show cattle is £20 per head capped to 3 animals per exhibitor.
There are also horticulture competitions including garden design on the theme of ‘Contrast’ which is open to businesses, students, individuals, schools, groups etc.
Find out more and enter here.
Cost: entry fees may apply
NEW: Living Land Theatre – ‘Growing a Thriving Future’
This area will focus on current farming, land management and environmental issues in the region, and promote education and careers in the sector. With talks from industry experts on Friday and Saturday and a Farming Technical Forum on Saturday which will also be streamed online.
The theatre will also provide an interactive space where farmers, students and visitors can speak directly with educators and industry experts. Find it on Turners Hill near the main Ardingly Ring.
Click here to find out more with the timetable here.
With thanks to Principal Sponsors Plumpton College and Virgin Money and Associate Sponsors Longbridge, Thomson Snell & Passmore, CLM, AHDB, Kreston Reeves and Innovation for Agriculture.
Cost: included in ticket price
Farming Technical Forum – ‘Smarter Decisions, Stronger Margins’
The Farming Technical Forum will be held live on Saturday 6th June from 2-3pm and live streamed on our socials. This panel discussion on ‘Smarter Decisions, Stronger Margins’ will feature Ollie ‘Blogs’ Harrison (farmer, entrepreneur, influencer and the face behind popular YouTube channel @OllyBlogsAgricontractfarmer), Natalie Gaibani (Head of Farming at Strutt & Parker) and Charles Burgoyne (dairy farmer, former Society Chair and 2026 President) and will explore what it really takes to run a farm as a high performing business. Efficiency is only the starting point.
Click here to find out more or here to book your online or in person spot.
Please note you will need a ticket to the South of England Show if you are attending the Technical Forum in person.
With thanks to sponsors Savills.
Cost: included in ticket price
Farmers’ Marquee
The popular Farmers’ Marquee, hosted by Long Man Brewery, will again serve as a hub for informal networking and discussion throughout the show. Find it on Turners Hill next to the main Ardingly Ring.
Cost: included in ticket price
CLA Marquee
The CLA marquee will be next to the main Ardingly Ring. On Friday 5th June, this will host their breakfast event from 8.30am – 10am with keynote speaker The Duke of Norfolk, and their drinks reception and Rural Excellence awards will take place from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. The marquee will be open for the remainder of Friday and Saturday for those that would like to drop in and visit their team.
To book the CLA breakfast event click here.
To book the CLA Rural Excellence awards click here.
Please note you will need a ticket to the South of England Show if you are attending the CLA events.
Cost: included in ticket price
NEW: Stockman’s Marquee
We have a new provision for stockman’s catering with a dedicated marquee providing catering throughout the show from the ever popular Andrew Laver of All Time Catering Mobile Ltd.
The marquee will be open from pre-show Thursday for dinner (6pm – 9pm), each show day for breakfast (6.30am – 10.30am) and lunch (12.30 – 3pm), and dinner on Friday (from 6.30pm).
The Stockman’s marquee facilities can be used by our livestock, equestrian and trade exhibitors. Find it on Wakehurst Rise.
With thanks to our marquee sponsors the Sussex Cattle Society and cattle breakfast sponsors the NFU and Ernest Doe.
Cost: see on site menus for prices
The traditional Stockman’s Dinner for livestock exhibitors will take place at 7pm in the Norfolk Pavilion, with food by All Time Catering and entertainment from DJ Mossy. Exhibitors will receive up to two tickets at the discounted price of £5 each, with additional tickets available at £10 (£5 for children aged 5-12), up to a maximum of five per exhibitor.
Cost: £5 per ticket (with exhibitor discount)
