Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 2025

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 2025

Join one of the best agricultural show in the South West, where you can experience the richness of rural life and the finest displays of livestock, horticulture and agriculture.

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show raises funds for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society to help support farming and the countryside.

What’s On

Harts of Stur Main Ring
This year we’re excited to announce that medieval and modern horsepower are joining to bring two spectacular acts to the Harts of Stur Main Ring!

Making their first ever appearance in Dorset, one of the country’s most thrilling theatrical horse show spectaculars will thrill you with mounted medieval knights battling each other in an incredible jousting tournament. Expect breath taking stunt displays, original storylines and movie-quality armour and vibrant costumes.

If that’s not enough for one day, there’s also modern horsepower roaring into the ring. Featuring children aged 5 to 16, the Tigers Motorcycle Display Team will take to the stage as they jump through fire, negotiate tricky chicanes at top speed and carry out daring stunts.

Other Harts of Stur Main Ring attractions will include, the Grand Parade of Livestock at 3:15pm on both days. We will also have parades from Steam and Vintage Vehicles.

On Thursday the Shetland Pony Display Team will return to the Harts of Stur Main Ring.

Craft & Countryside Area, ft Turnpike Ring
Celebrating the countryside – Turnpike Countryside Ring will entertain you with a full timetable of rural demonstrations, including terrier racing and gun dog displays. The Craft & Countryside Area also supports local craft people.

Heavy Horse Village
Meet the magnificent animals that built British agriculture.
This area will feature harness and plaiting demonstrations. It’s your chance to ask any questions you may have about these beautiful creatures.

Livestock
Meet the finest farm animals the region has to offer!
Watch Cattle & Sheep being judged, as the finest animals go up against each other to win rosettes and trophies! Don’t forget to find a spot ringside to watch the Cornish Mutual Grand Parade of winners in the Harts of Stur Main Ring at 3:15pm!

BSJA Show Jumping
Watch a range of competitive fast paced jumping action in the Harts of Stur Main Ring at the 2023 Show – as Showjumpers compete for £1,000 prize pots.

Agriculture
The Show where business gets done!
The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is proud to be a showcase for agriculture, welcoming over 70 agricultural stands of which 15 are machinery allows us to not just be a fun day out but also a networking event, offering you the chance to meet with fellow farmers and farm workers but also with the dealers, buyers and suppliers for our region.

Food & Drink Area
Try, buy and enjoy the delights of local Food & Drink producers.
Find locally-produced cheese, sausages, cake, cider, pastries, coffee, fudge, flapjacks, gin and so much more in the Food & Drink Area. This Area will feature any array of local producers outside, surrounding two picnic marquees.

A highstreet like no other — Outdoor Shopping Experience
Browse over 500 outdoor trade stands and 20 trade stands in the Wessex Shopping Pavilion.Garden Furniture, Clothing, Big Brands to local producers – the Show is like the perfect high street located in a field!

Fun, Food & Farming
Hands on interactive learning experiences on everything Food & Farming!
The UK food and farming sector is worth over £112 billion employing over 4 million people. You can learn all about agriculture and the process of farm to food through hands on activities – you can even watch sheep being shorn!

Art & Photography Exhibition
The Art Exhibition will host up to 200 stunning pieces of work created by local artists.
You can the enter the Art Exhibition! The themes change annually. Interested in entering? Visit our Competitions page here.

Steam, Vintage & Classic Vehicles
View over 80 classic vehicles at the Show.
Come and see the static display of Vintage & Classic Tractors & Cars along with the magnificent sight and smell of the Steam Engines.
The Steam Engines will even parade in the Harts of Stur Main Ring!

Horticulture
The Horticulture Section welcomes over 1,000 entries including flowers, vegetables and cookery!
The Horticulture Marquee is a showcase of talent, featuring 1,000 entries from vegetables to cookery, felt to flowers and even 28 lemon drizzle cakes!

Poultry
Located within the Countryside Area, there is a range of classes displaying a wide variety of poultry. You can even hold a chick yourself!