The Royal Three Counties Show, one of the UK’s largest celebrations of our glorious countryside and rural life, is set to take place at Three Counties Showground in Malvern from 14 – 16 June 2024, and this year’s show promises a feast for all senses, with a packed programme of exciting entertainment, in addition to delicious food and drink, carefully curated countryside shopping and – of course – thousands of animals and lots of family fun!
Every year, the Royal Three Counties Show showcases some of the UK’s very best food and drink producers. The abundant three counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire proudly produce a significant amount of the UK’s annual harvest, and many of those artisanal producers will display the fruits of their labour at the Royal Three Counties Show.
The Food & Drink Festival is a gastronomic highlight of the Royal Three Counties Show. Home to the Food & Drink Theatre, where audiences can enjoy live cooking demos and Q&As from some of the UK’s best chefs alongside respected food specialists and the show’s special guests. Fans of Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off won’t want to miss the chance to see 2023’s winner, Matty Edgell, put his skills into action as well as answering questions from the audience and signing copies of his latest book, on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 June. Meanwhile, fellow 2023 contestant, Sakunthala Chandrasekara (a.k.a Saku) will demonstrate her unique Sri Lankan cooking style with a local twist. Expect colourful flavours from Sri-Lanka with regional influences from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. BBC’s The One Show presenter Matt Baker MBE and JB Gill – JLS band member, CBeebies presenter and farmer – will both take to the stage on Saturday and Sunday respectively for their own Q&A sessions alongside live cooking demos from talented chefs. Star of Amazon Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, Kaleb Cooper, will discuss some of his favourite cider recipes on the Food & Drink Stage, in addition sharing amusing stories about Diddly Squat Farm and beyond at the Future of Farming Theatre.
Sample some of the UK’s finest cider and perry (much of which is produced from the surrounding three counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire) at the Cider & Perry Festival. If wine is your drink of choice, don’t miss a chance to sample some excellent homegrown vintages at the English Wine Show.
Street food fans will be spoilt for choice with over 30 different vendors to choose from, including The Beefy Boys, who have earnt an outstanding reputation for their award-winning dirty American-style burgers. Worcestershire’s Hillbilly’s Street Kitchen and Roly Poly Eats are also highlights for meat lovers. Mac Daddies will be serving up gourmet mac and cheese, including a vegan option, meanwhile pizza fans can get their fix from Kitchen Garden Pizza Company and Hidden Pizza. For tantalising flavours, Nawa Kitchen will be serving up Tibetan street food and Thainese will blend the vibrant flavours of Thai and Chinese cuisines. For those with a sweet tooth, head to Chockshop for chocolate brownies or Kelsmor Dairy for a tempting array of ice creams and milkshakes.
The Vintage Tea Tent will make its debut appearance at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show, offering visitors the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake. There will also be a bandstand in the Food & Drink Festival area, featuring live music throughout the weekend, perfect for enjoying a local cider while tucking into some delicious street food and soaking up the festival atmosphere.
Epicureans should make a visit to the new Indoor Food & Shopping Hall a priority during their visit to the Royal Three Counties Show. Located inside Severn Hall, visitors can shop everything from handmade confectionary to award-winning aged rum, exotic spices to artisan cheese. The Boffy Arts Farmers Market (also located in Severn Hall) will feature an array of local and artisan produce, including arts, crafts, gifts and homewares alongside food and drink, and is well worth a browse.
The Old Bull – a new bar tent – will pitch up in pride of place next to the main arena, so visitors can enjoy a refreshing tipple from Westons Cider and Wye Vallery Brewery without missing any of the arena action, including the thrilling Bolddog Lings freestyle motorcross stunt display team and the Grand Parade of Livestock – a highlight of the weekend which sees hundreds of animals proudly led around the arena while commentators provide interesting information about the unique characteristics of each breed. Other main arena highlights across the weekend include The Red Devils spectacular aerial parachute display (daily, weather permitting) and the magnificent Racehorse to Riding Horse parade on Sunday.
For the very best in countryside shopping, head to the Royal Parade to browse some of the finest luxury countrywear retailers and sporting suppliers. Complete with Champagne Bar, ringside seating to keep shoppers close to the action taking place in the Equine Rings, and with the glorious backdrop of the Malvern hills to complete the experience.
For those familiar with agricultural machinery, the Royal Three Counties Show will host the latest, cutting-edge tech from big brand names at the Machinery Mile. Head here to browse the latest equipment from John Deere, Kubota, Caterpillar, Toyota, Massey Ferguson and Fendt.
All this, as well as a packed programme of family entertainment, including The Family Gun Dog and Scurry area and mini spotted pony show, plus over 8,000 animals, including many rare and minority breeds and some spectacular show jumping, the Royal Three Counties Show offers a great day out this summer.
Advance day tickets to the Royal Three Counties Show cost £23 for adults and children under 16 are free. To book tickets, visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/ or call 01684 584 924.