Royal Bath and West Show

The Royal Bath and West is an agricultural show for the West of England. Held every year at its permanent show ground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, it is one of a number of County shows in the United Kingdom and is a four-day show. In 2009 and 2010 it attracted over 155,000 people.

The Royal Bath and West Show is organised and run by the Royal Bath and West of England Society. It was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack, and is now a registered charity organisation (1039397). The Society was formed with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.

The show was held on Durdham Down in Bristol in 1886 and again in 1921. Latterly it was held in Bath in 1912 and 1927.

The Royal Bath & West Show aims to celebrate all aspects of farming and rural life, from the best of British livestock to the latest technological innovations in the farming industry. The show offers shopping, food halls, floral marquee, rural crafts, country pursuits, dog show, equestrian competitions and arena displays. The show also attracts over 1,000 trade stands.

It is set in a 240 acres (97 ha) permanent showground, with a 3 acres (1.2 ha) show ring with a 1,200-seater grandstand and complete with its own steam model railway, a canoeing lake and a professional 4x4 off road track.

Every year a member of the Royal Family visits the show. In 2008, Princess Anne visited the show, and in 2009 the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall both attended. The Prince of Wales last visited the show back in 1991. 2010 saw the Countess of Wessex become the new Vice Patron of the Royal Bath and West Society. The Queen Mother and the Queen Elizabeth II have also visited the show in past years.

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