Celebrating Rural Life, Food and a Family Day Out
The Northumberland County Show is one of the region’s best-known annual events and marks the start of Northumberland’s agricultural summer show season. Taking place this year on Saturday 23rd May 2026 at Bywell, near Stocksfield, it also coincides with the late May Bank Holiday and school half term — making it an ideal time to combine the show with a longer break exploring the county.
For visitors new to our region, the show offers a great introduction to rural Northumberland life, bringing together farming, food, local businesses, crafts and family entertainment in one place. Whether you spend the day watching livestock competitions, browsing artisan stalls or enjoying the atmosphere around the showground, it’s one of the easiest ways to experience the county’s strong countryside identity first-hand.
A Celebration of Northumberland’s Countryside
Widely considered the largest agricultural show in the North East, the Northumberland County Show regularly attracts around 30,000 visitors each year. At its heart, the event celebrates the county’s farming heritage and rural communities, offering a welcoming day out for everyone, whether you’re familiar with farming or simply looking for a great day out at a traditional country show.
Livestock competitions, equestrian classes and rural demonstrations remain central to the show, giving visitors the chance to see everything from prize cattle and sheep to heavy horses and skilled handlers in the main arenas. Alongside the agricultural events, there are also countryside organisations, craft stalls, live music, family entertainment and demonstrations running throughout the day.
The atmosphere is lively and the showground is spacious, so there’s plenty for visitors to explore throughout the day. For many people, it’s this combination of tradition, community and variety that makes the event feel so distinctly Northumbrian.
New for 2026
Each year the show introduces new attractions alongside its more traditional events, helping it appeal to returning visitors as well as first-time guests.
Details of the full 2026 programme are available via the County Show Website by visiting the link below but visitors can expect a packed schedule of arena entertainment, family activities, vintage tractors, countryside demonstrations and local exhibitors throughout the day.
Because the event is so popular over the Bank Holiday weekend, tickets and parking should ideally be booked in advance, particularly for families travelling during half term.
Courtesy of Northumberland County Show
Food, Local Produce and Independent Businesses
One of the highlights for many visitors is the food and shopping aspect of the show. For guests staying in our self-catering cottages, it’s a great opportunity to pick up local produce to enjoy later in the evening.
There are hundreds of trade stands which offer an excellent way to discover and meet local producers, artisan makers and independent Northumberland businesses all in one place. From locally produced cheeses, chutneys and baked goods to handmade gifts, countryside clothing and homewares, there’s plenty to browse throughout the day.
The food marquees and refreshment areas also make it easy to turn the show into a full-day visit. Many guests enjoy combining a wander around the stalls with lunch from one of the local food vendors before spending the afternoon watching arena displays or exploring more of the showground.
Ideal for a family day out
Part of the appeal of the Northumberland County Show is the variety it offers across generations. Because the event takes place over the late May Bank Holiday and school half term, it also works particularly well as part of a wider family break in the region.
For children, there are opportunities to get close to animals, watch demonstrations and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the main arenas. Families often find that even younger children enjoy the simple experience of seeing livestock up close or watching horse displays and countryside activities throughout the day.
For adults, there’s a variety of competitions, demonstrations, live music, as well as the trade stands and food halls.
Courtesy of Northumberland County Show
Visiting as Part of a Cottage Stay
The County Show works particularly well for holiday visitors as it offers a great day out and an introduction to the region as part of a wider Northumberland break.
Many guests use the Bank Holiday weekend or half term to explore the area more fully, combining the show with visits to historic attractions, outdoor activities and walks along Hadrian’s Wall, exploring market towns and the countryside as well as visiting the coast.
The showground’s location near Hexham, Corbridge and the Tyne Valley also makes it easy to reach from many parts of the county. Guests staying in one of our cottages can easily spend the day at the show before returning to quieter surroundings in the evening, enjoying the contrast between the lively atmosphere of the event and the slower pace of the surrounding countryside.
As visitors staying in self-catering accommodation, the show is an ideal opportunity to discover local produce and independent businesses — whether that’s picking up local foods to take back for dinner, browsing rural crafts, or simply finding inspiration from local makers and suppliers throughout the day.
After a busy afternoon around the showground, returning to a cottage for a relaxed evening, countryside views and a quieter pace often becomes part of the appeal itself.
Celebrating Northumberland
The Northumberland County Show is a great way to experience the county at one of its liveliest points in the year.
Whether you spend the day watching competitions, browsing local producers, enjoying the food stalls or simply taking in the atmosphere, it provides a different perspective on Northumberland beyond the usual tourist attractions.
For visitors staying in the region over the May Bank Holiday, it’s certainly a worthwhile addition to the weekend and provides a great reminder of what makes the county distinctive.
Wooden Star Cottages offers the perfect base to experience the beautiful county of Northumberland. Book your stay at Wooden Star Cottages today and prepare for an unforgettable escape into the heart of one of England’s most beautiful regions.